WH Smith
This coverage examines WH Smith’s operations and strategy within the UK retail sector, focusing on travel and high-street store performance, product range adaptations, supply chain logistics, and digital initiatives. Reporting highlights leadership decisions, market positioning, and consumer trends, offering insights for retail executives, category managers, and professionals in travel and convenience retail.
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Aug- 2025 -15 AugustOnline & Digital
WH Smith completes Funky Pigeon sale
WH Smith has confirmed that it has completed the sale of Funky Pigeon to Card Factory for £24m. Following the disposal, WH Smith has stated that it has completed its move to becoming a pure play global travel retailer. As a result of this deal Card Factory is now the…
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Jul- 2025 -31 JulyHigh Street
Card Factory opens 1,100th store at Cheshunt retail park
Card Factory has opened its 1,100th high street store in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, as the greetings card and gift retailer expands its national footprint. The new outlet, based at Brookfield Retail Park, welcomed its first customers on 31 July and has created 12 local jobs. Regional manager Maureen Wheele led the…
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29 JulyPeople Moves
Greggs appoints new non-executive director and audit committee chair
The board of Greggs has appointed Robert Moorhead as an independent non-executive director, effective from 1 October 2025. Moorhead will become chair of the audit committee and join the nominations and remuneration committees. His appointment follows the planned retirement of non-executive director Kate Ferry, who will step down from the…
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29 JulyHigh Street
Card Factory acquires Funky Pigeon from WH Smith for £24m
Card Factory has agreed to acquire online personalised greeting cards group Funky Pigeon from WH Smith for £24m. Once the deal is complete, Card Factory will be the second largest online card and attached gift retailer in the UK market, according to the group. It added that over time, Funky…
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29 JulyFeatures
Claire’s on the brink: can the chain avoid another collapse?
For decades, Claire’s has been the go-to destination for sparkly earrings, scrunchies and ear piercings – a rite of passage for generations of teenagers. But the glitter is starting to fade. The jewellery and accessories retailer, which operates nearly 300 shops in the UK and more than 2,300 worldwide, has…
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21 JulyHigh Street
Lakeland owner Hilco in race to acquire Claire’s
Hilco Capital, the high street investor behind Lakeland and a former backer of HMV and Superdry, is considering a takeover of Claire’s UK business, according to Sky News. Banking sources have told the outlet that Hilco Capital, who was a recent contender to acquire Poundland, is among the potential bidders…
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Jun- 2025 -30 JuneHigh Street
WH Smith cuts price of high street arm by £12m to close deal
WH Smith has officially completed the sale of its UK high street business to private investment firm Modella Capital for £40m, down from the previously expected £52m. Under the new terms, WH Smith will receive £10m upfront, with up to £20m in deferred payments linked to the business’s cash flow…
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13 JuneHigh Street
Activist investor builds stake in WH Smith
Activist investor Palliser has reportedly acquired close to a 5% stake in WH Smith, worth about £65m at its current share price, according to reports from Sky News. Palliser is thought to hold WH Smith’s management team, led by chief executive Carl Cowling, in high regard with the move coming…
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4 JuneHigh Street
WH Smith travel sales jump 7% ahead of high street arm sale
WH Smith has reported that its travel business revenues have increased 7% on a constant currency basis during the 13-week period to 31 May. The update follows WH Smith’s sale of its high street estate to Modella Capital on 28 March, meaning that it now identifies as “a pure play…
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May- 2025 -19 MayHigh Street
Poundland store closures ‘likely’ as sale nears completion
Poundland store closures are reportedly “likely” as Gordon Brothers, the former owner of Laura Ashley, has emerged as a frontrunner to take control of the group, according to The Times. Bids for the group, which is owned by Pepco and employs more than 16,000 people across the UK and Ireland,…
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