Strong football sticker sales and a slower than expected decline in magazines and newspapers helped John Menzies’ distribution arm maintain turnover in the first half of the year.



Menzies Distribution posted sales of £638.7m in the six months to the end of June 2014, up from £636.6m in 2013, with sticker sales exceeding those during the 2010 tournament.



Group profits, which include its aviation arm, fell to £14.2m from £18.4m, hit by a decline in turnover from £997.9m to £992.6m and a £1.8m restructuring charge following a tough 2013 for newspaper and magazine sales. Menzies closed four depots and consolidated magazine packing for Southern England into its Maidstone site.