WHSmith
This coverage focuses on WH Smith’s retail operations and strategic developments in the UK. Reporting includes store network changes, product range updates, travel-retail performance, e-commerce evolution, marketing initiatives, and leadership moves — all analysed for their impact on sales, customer experience, and multi-format retail execution. The content is tailored for retail managers, travel‑retail professionals, and executives overseeing omnichannel retail operations.
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Nov- 2024 -14 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-14/11/24
The Range and Wilko owner, CDS Superstores, has acquired 70 Homebase stores after the DIY retailer entered administration. This move, intended to save about 1,600 jobs, will allow Homebase stores to continue operating under CDS while administrators from Teneo Financial Advisory manage the transition. Homebase’s decline, attributed to low consumer…
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14 NovemberNews
WHSmith profits rise 16% to £166m in FY24
WHSmith has seen its profit before tax increase 16% to £166m in its preliminary results for the year ended 31 August. Total group revenue for the year was up 7% at £1.9bn, with a “strong” performance across the retailer’s travel, air, hospital and rail segments. The retailer said to have…
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Oct- 2024 -21 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-21/10/24
Frasers Group has agreed to sell its 20.3% stake in N Brown for £191m to Falcon 24 Topco Limited, owned by Joshua Alliance. Despite divesting from N Brown, Frasers looks forward to a strategic relationship with Alliance. Concurrently, Frasers is pursuing the acquisition of luxury brand Mulberry, raising its offer…
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21 OctoberHigh Street
WHSmith stores to sell vinyl records for first time in 30 years
WHSmith has revealed it is to start selling vinyl records in 80 of its high street stores across the UK in response to growing customer demand. Stores including Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh Gyle and York will stock a selection of chart hits and classic albums on vinyl, from Taylor Swift to…
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Sep- 2024 -20 September
Today’s news in brief-20/9/24
In August, UK retail sales saw a 1% increase, marking a continued recovery with a 2.5% year-on-year growth, the strongest since early 2022. While overall volumes remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, supermarkets and clothing stores benefited from warmer weather and seasonal sales. Online spending remained steady, showing a 4.3% increase…
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20 SeptemberHigh Street
WHSmith to open 37 Toys’R’Us ‘shop-in-shops’
WHSmith has announced that it is set to open 37 new Toys“R”Us outlets inside its stores. It comes after the retailer opened 39 locations resulting in 76 shop-in-shops in total across UK high streets. The next round of Toys“R”Us openings from WHSmith will start on Saturday 28 September, with Bexleyheath,…
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Aug- 2024 -16 AugustHigh Street
WHSmith rolls out café format amid food-to-go popularity
WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen, a new own-brand café format that will offer dine-in and takeaway options, outside of travel locations. Smith’s Kitchen is the latest major food and drink launch this year, as WHSmith aims to expand its offering for customers and partners. According to the retailer, the new…
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May- 2024 -14 MayNews
WHSmith launches new own-brand food range
WHSmith has launched Smith’s Family Kitchen, a brand-new food to go range exclusively available in over 300 WHSmith UK travel stores. Smith’s Family Kitchen, which has been designed specifically for travelling customers, is made up of over 30 quality products including sandwiches, salads, wraps and baguettes. The branding, design, packaging…
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10 MayNews
Today’s news in brief-10/5/24
The UK economy has emerged from recession with a growth of 0.6% in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing economist expectations. This growth was primarily driven by consumer-facing services, which expanded by 0.6% after a decline in the previous quarter. Notably, retail trade played a significant role in this recovery,…
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10 MayHigh Street
WHSmith reveals 17 new Toys R Us locations
WHSmith has announced that it will open 17 Toys R Us shops over the summer months across the UK. The retailer is set to open a further 30 shop-in-shops before Christmas after the launch of nine Toys R Us concessions a year ago. The 17 locations opening in the summer…
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