With over 1300 stores across the world, WHSmith is a brand easily recognisable to many.
The core WHSmith brand that you find on your local high street has been developed over time into the successful Travel format stores that you find in travel locations both in the UK and across the globe.
The growth of the internet has seen the WHSmith brand move online with whsmith.co.uk, we’ve also developed a concept for WHSmith within big department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges and most recently we’ve extended the WHSmith brand further, with our franchise initiative WHSmith Local.
WHSmith Local is a way of us extending our customer proposition to smaller independent retailers, who currently operate a Newsagent/Post Office. This new concept is a brilliant opportunity for those independent retailers to work with a recognised brand. It helps improve their sales and, more importantly margin. We have now successfully opened over 75 stores as ‘Franchise Partnerships’ and have more in the pipeline.
However, you may be surprised to learn just how many other brands we have within the WHSmith family. We have developed a number of standalone UK and International brands over recent years to meet changing customer needs and fill gaps in the market, such as Funky Pigeon, Gadget Shop, Cardmarket and Zoodle.
Additionally, we also offer our operating expertise to partners such as the Post Office and Marks & Spencer. WHSmith teaming up with another iconic British retail brand such as Marks & Spencer and combining our retail wisdom has successfully resulted in the roll-out of various formats across travel locations in the UK. Due to their locations, these stores are all about delivering a fast and exceptional quality service. We now operate a number of M&S Simply Food, Food to Go and Café franchise stores across our Travel estate, with exciting growth plans for the future.
For further information about the brands within the WHSmith family, see below…