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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Jan- 2019 -18 JanuaryAnalysis
Fall of the high street — can retailers survive?
The UK’s high streets are under attack. From the continued rise of online shopping, which has led to a reduction in footfall, to increases in business rates and the Living Wage, Britain’s retailers are struggling. The decline of the British high street has dominated the headlines in 2018 with in…
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Nov- 2018 -2 NovemberHigh Street
WHSmith fined £337,500 after customer falls through trapdoor
Newsagent chain WHSmith has been fined £337,500 after a customer fell almost three metres through a trapdoor, suffering serious injuries. WHSmith pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches leading to the fine, after the trapdoor at its Taunton store, located in the greetings card isle, was left open. The retailer…
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Oct- 2018 -30 OctoberM&A
WHSmith acquires InMotion in £155m deal
WHSmith has announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of InMotion, a pure play travel retailer for $198m (£155m). InMotion is the largest airport-based digital accessories retailer in North America. Established in 1998, it operates a concession portfolio of 114 stores across 43 airports in the United States.…
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Sep- 2018 -20 SeptemberComment
Automation and AI in retail: friend or foe?
We hear a lot about the high street dying, but that’s not quite right. The high street is changing. Automation (and, in the future, AI) is changing the retail landscape. One of the reasons digital retailers like Amazon are so successful is ease-of-purchase, and this is down – in large…
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Aug- 2018 -30 AugustHigh Street
WHSmith reveals strong Q4 performance for travel branch
High street newsagent WHSmith has reported strong sales across its travel business branch in its Q4 results. The group said its new store opening programme both in the UK and internationally is “in line with [expected] plans”, and has already opened eight stores in Madrid Terminal 4 in mid August…
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Jun- 2018 -6 JuneHigh Street
WHSmith Q3 sales boosted by travel business
WHSmith has posted an uptick in Q3 sales driven by the continued growth of its travel business. In the 13-week period ending 2 June, the bookseller and newsagent chain’s total group sales were up 4% with like-for-like sales up 1% compared with last year. Travel business total sales were up…
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Apr- 2018 -12 AprilHigh Street
WHSmith profits dip as high street arm struggles
WHSmith has reported a dip in its profits for the six months ending February 28, as its high street trading profit fell by 6%. The company saw a 1% fall in group pre-tax profits to £82m down from £83m in 2017. However WHSmith’s 700 travel stores, located in airports, railways…
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Mar- 2018 -13 MarchGovernment
Leading retailers support plan for sustainability and equality
Over 25 leading UK retailers, including Sainsbury’s and John Lewis, have signed up to a series of pledges to tackle global challenges over the coming decades. The ‘Better Retail Better World’ scheme includes a series of stretching targets for the retail industry to achieve by 2020, and uses the United…
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Jan- 2018 -24 JanuaryHigh Street
WHSmith sales fall, but airports and stations climb
High street sales for book retailer WHSmith were down 5% in the 20-week period to 20 January. Like-for-like sales in the company’s high street stores dropped by 4%, which was in line with its expectations, while total sales year-on-year remained flat, and like-for-like sales were down by 1%. The company’s…
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