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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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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Mar- 2024 -19 MarchHigh Street
Primark trials ‘sold’ stickers as anti-theft deterrent
Primark UK has started trialling a new anti-theft measure, which sees checkout staff at some of the fashion retailer’s branches seal up paper carrier bags with blue “sold” stickers. This measure means that any customers carrying bags without the stickers will be stopped at the door by store security guards. …
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Dec- 2023 -11 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief-11/12/23
November proved to be a challenging month for UK retailers, with Black Friday discounts failing to uplift sales, according to figures from accountancy firm BDO. Despite a positive start with a 4.7% increase in week one, like-for-like sales in November declined by 0.3% compared to the previous year. The fashion…
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11 DecemberNews
John Lewis non-exec director steps down
John Lewis non-executive director Nicky Dulieu has stepped down from her role after seven months with the partnership. According to a spokesperson for the retailer, she decided to quit her role after deciding that it wasn’t “compatible with her existing time commitments”. Dulieu was appointed to the partnership’s board in…
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Oct- 2023 -27 OctoberNews
Lakeland partners with Retail Trust for new staff wellbeing measures
Kitchenware and homeware retailer Lakeland has begun working with retail industry charity the Retail Trust to protect the wellbeing of its 1300+ members of staff. They will be given access to a range of personalised mental health resources thanks to the new partnership, including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy for…
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Sep- 2023 -6 SeptemberHigh Street
WHSmith FY revenues soar 28% as travel rebounds
WHSmith has welcomed a strong year of trading in the year ended 31 August, as the stationery retailer’s revenues increased 28% against the prior year. The group attributed its spike in revenue to its travel category’s popularity, which saw a 42% increase in revenue. It said its sales performance in…
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Jun- 2023 -30 JuneHigh Street
WH Smith to not open any more high street stores
WH Smith chief executive Carl Cowling has told the BBC that the retailer will not open any more UK high street stores, instead focusing on UK airports and train stations, as well as openings in the US and European markets. This comes as, over the past 20 years, the retailer…
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21 JuneHigh Street
WHSmith, M&S and Argos ordered to pay underpaid staff
WHSmith, M&S and Argos have been ordered to pay unpaid wages to thousands of staff following an investigation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). WHSmith have been ordered to pay over £1m to over 17,000 workers after a policy making staff supply their own uniform caused their wages…
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