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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Mar- 2025 -7 MarchFeatures
WHSmith’s high street exit: what it means for the retail industry
After more than 230 years as a staple of British high streets, WHSmith is considering selling off its entire high street business. With around 500 stores facing an uncertain future, the company is shifting its focus to travel retail — airports, railway stations, and motorway service areas — where it…
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Jan- 2025 -28 JanuaryHigh Street
HMV owner eyes bid for WH Smith’s high street arm
The owner of HMV is reportedly considering snapping up WH Smith’s high street arm, after the retailer this week confirmed it was exploring a potential sale of its 500 high street stores. According to The Sun, it is understood that HMV owner Doug Putman is now in talks with advisers over…
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27 JanuaryHigh Street
WH Smith explores sale of high street arm
WH Smith has confirmed that it is exploring the potential sale of its high street stores as it looks to restructure the business, which has seen its Travel business continue to outperform high street outlets in recent years.Over the weekend, Sky News reported that the retailer has been in negotiations…
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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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