The iconic British retailer WHSmith announces the closure of 20 shops, shifting focus to more profitable travel locations as high street sales decline.
WHSmith, a well-established name on British high streets for over 200 years, is set to close 20 of its retail outlets in the UK as part of a strategic shift towards more profitable locations such as airports and train stations. This decision comes as the company grapples with changing consumer habits and a marked increase in online shopping, which has significantly impacted traditional retail operations.
The closures are particularly significant following a reported 6% decrease in high street sales during the critical Christmas period ending January 25, with like-for-like sales declining by 3%. This shift reflects a broader trend affecting many high street brands, many of which are either scaling back or halting operations entirely amidst ongoing challenges within the retail sector. WHSmith’s decision to shutter locations, some of which have been integral to their communities for decades, stems from factors including rising operating costs and reduced foot traffic.
Among the impacted branches is the WHSmith store located in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster, which has been in operation for 57 years. Other branches that have either already closed or are scheduled to close in the coming months include stores in Bournemouth, Luton, Basingstoke, and several others spread across the UK. According to reports from the Mirror, there are indications that all of WHSmith’s 500 high street stores might be up for sale as the retailer reconsider its presence in this sector.
In light of the closures, WHSmith is redirecting its focus to travel locations where retail outlets have continued to perform strongly. This includes a significant presence in major UK airports, such as Heathrow and Gatwick, where foot traffic remains high. The travel division is reportedly thriving, bolstered by increased demand for convenience shopping among commuters and travellers.
Additionally, discussions are reportedly ongoing regarding potential buyouts of the high street stores. Doug Putman, the owner of HMV, is said to be among the interested parties in talks about acquiring the high street portfolio. However, a WHSmith spokesperson commented on the speculation, stating, “There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate.”
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, WHSmith remains committed to reinforcing its presence in transport hubs, aiming to leverage the high passenger volumes and changing shopping behaviours characteristic of today’s consumers.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/whsmith-store-closures-uk-list-near-me-b2683373.html – This article supports the claim that WHSmith is closing several of its UK high street stores as part of a strategic shift towards more profitable locations like airports and train stations. It lists specific store closures across the UK.
- https://www.gbnews.com/money/store-closures-february-2025-list – This article corroborates the information about WHSmith’s store closures in the UK, highlighting the company’s focus on travel hubs and the broader trend of high street store closures.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business- – Unfortunately, this URL is incomplete. However, BBC News often reports on retail trends and store closures in the UK, which would support the broader context of WHSmith’s strategic shift.
- https://www.retail-week.com/whsmith/whsmith-to-close-high-street-stores-as-it-shifts-focus-to-travel-hubs/7055013.article – This article would likely discuss WHSmith’s decision to close high street stores and focus on travel locations, aligning with the company’s strategy to adapt to changing consumer habits.
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/25/uk-high-street-sales-decline-christmas – This article would provide context on the decline in UK high street sales during the Christmas period, supporting the claim that WHSmith’s closures are part of a broader retail trend.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent sales figures and ongoing discussions, suggesting it is relatively current. However, without specific dates for the closures or buyout discussions, it’s difficult to assess its absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There is a quote from a WHSmith spokesperson, but no specific source or date is provided for its origin. This makes it challenging to verify its authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news outlet, which generally enhances reliability. However, some details are attributed to other reports (e.g., the Mirror), which may vary in credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about store closures and strategic shifts align with broader retail trends and are plausible given the context of increased online shopping and changing consumer habits.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh and plausible, with a reliable source. While some details lack specific sources or dates, the overall context aligns with current retail challenges.
