All WHSmith articles
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News
Modella Capital lays out plans for WHSmith after acquiring its high street arm
Private equity firm Modella Capital has laid out its plans for the WHSmith high street business, which was acquired in a £76m deal.
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News
WHSmith sells UK high street business to private equity firm and rebrands to TGJones
WHSmith has made the decision to sell its UK high street business to a private equity firm in a £76m deal as it focuses on becoming a pureplay global travel retailer.
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News
WHSmith completes refinancing package
The retailer announced the completion of a £200m issue of US Private Placement (USPP) notes and a bank term loan of £120m.
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News
WHSmith bidder Modella Capital eyes restructuring of Hobbycraft
The owner of Hobbycraft, Modella Capital, is mulling a restructuring of the arts and crafts retailer, according to reports.
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Analysis
What next for WHSmith’s high street business as ownership race heads into final furlong?
Critics often said that if WHSmith didn’t exist, no one would bother to invent it. Yet, as things stand, there are at least two private equity firms battling it out to acquire the brand, even if it likely won’t come with the name.
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News
Race for WHSmith high street business down to two bidders
The expectation is that a deal is being targeted for April.
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News
WHSmith name set to vanish from UK high streets following sale
WHSmith has been trading on the high street since 1792.
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Opinion
‘In a split between its travel and high street businesses, where will WHSmith’s name land?’
As WHSmith’s management looks to jettison its high street stores business to focus on its more lucrative travel arm, the future of the brand’s very name seems as turbulent as everything else
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News
WHSmith’s travel business takes flight as high streets continue to drag
WHSmith has praised the “strong momentum” across its increasingly core travel business, not least in the US, while its high street stores performed “in line” with expectations.
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News
HMV owner eyes 500 WHSmith stores, reports say
Canadian entrepreneur Doug Putman is in talks to buy the store network of the high-street stalwart, according to The Sun newspaper.
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Analysis
What will a potential sale mean for WHSmith’s high street business?
News emerged over the weekend that WHSmith is in talks to potentially sell off its high street division and focus solely on its travel arm.
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News
WHSmith is in talks to sell its UK high street shops
WHSmith is in talks to sell its whole high street business in the UK following 230 years on the high street.
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Innovation of the Week
WHSmith has launched a retail media network in North America
Innovation of the Week is a series highlighting retail initiatives that have caught the eye of our team.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
WHSmith (Strategy)
WHSmith is set to significantly expand its food offering in 2025. Building on the success of its first own-label food-to-go range, the retailer plans to introduce a new bakery range under the Smith’s Family Kitchen brand and roll out its Smith’s Kitchen café format to more stores.
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Interview
Q&A: THG Nutrition chief executive Neil Mistry explains why the Myprotein rebrand is the solution to declining sales
Retail Week speaks to THG Nutrition’s chief executive Neil Mistry about the recent Myprotein rebrand, striking retail partnerships with giants like WHSmith and Holland & Barrett, and how he’s trying to turn around declining sales.
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News
WHSmith chief executive sees ‘exciting opportunities’ in American airports and UK hospitals
WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling said he sees “exciting opportunities” for growth across North American airports and UK hospitals, following the retailer’s preliminary results for the year to August 31.
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Retail Navigator Analysis
WHSmith (Financials)
WHSmith recorded a 7% rise in group sales to £1,918m for the year ended 31 August 2024 (FY2024). Its Travel division accounted for over 76% of group revenue, recording growth across all regions, while sales in its UK High Street division fell 4% year-on-year to £452m, “in line with expectations”.
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News
WHSmith profits and revenues soar as travel business takes off
WHSmith has reported increases in profits and revenues, driven by strong performances by its travel businesses in the UK and around the globe.
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News
John Lewis adds buy now, pay later option with Klarna
Department store group John Lewis is to offer online customers a buy now, pay later payment option after teaming up with financial services provider Klarna.
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News
WHSmith is relaunching vinyl in its high street stores after 30-year absence
WHSmith is bringing vinyl back into 80 of its high street stores across the UK following “growing customer demand” for the product.