Editing WHSmith

{{short description|British retailer}}
{{other uses|William H. Smith (disambiguation){{!}}William H. Smith}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2011}}
{{Infobox company
| name = WH Smith plc
| logo = WHSmith logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| image = Whsmith hq swindon.jpg
| image_caption = WHSmith's headquarters in [[Swindon]], England
| former_name = {{Ubl
| Pollquote Limited (2004–2006)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=2004-08-10 |title=WH Smith plc overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05202036 |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref>
| New WH Smith plc (June–August 2006)<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
}}
| type = [[Public limited company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{lse|SMWH}}|[[FTSE 250 Index|FTSE 250]] component}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|df=yes|1792}} in [[London]], England, UK
| location = Swindon, England, UK
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Annette Court ([[Chairperson|chair]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/city-snapshot-wh-smith-appoints-new-chairman-to-succeed-henry-staunton/668195.article|title=City Snapshot: WH Smith appoints new chairman to succeed Henry Staunton|first=Ed|last=Devlin|website=The Grocer}}</ref><br />Carl Cowling ([[CEO]])
| industry = [[Retail]]
| locations = 594 (UK Travel)<br />697 (International Travel){{Efn|As of 2024}}<ref name=ar/>
| brands = {{Hlist|InMotion|District Market|Flight Stop|Lick|Marshall Rousso|Root & Branch|Tech Express|curi.o.city|iStore}}<ref name=brands>{{cite web | url=https://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/about-us/brands-and-partnered-brands|title=Brands And Partnered Brand| publisher=W. H. Smith | access-date=11 May 2024}}</ref>
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]1,918 million (2024)<ref name=ar>{{cite web|url=https://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/~/media/Files/W/WH-Smith/documents/investors/result-report-presentation/annual-report/2024/whsmith_ar24_web.pdf|title=Annual Report 2024|publisher=WH Smith|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]213 million (2024)<ref name=ar/>
| net_income = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]77 million (2024)<ref name=ar/>
| num_employees = 13,921 (2024)<ref name=ar/>
| subsid = Marshall Retail Group
| homepage = {{URL|whsmith.co.uk|Consumer}}<br />{{URL|whsmithplc.co.uk|Corporate}}
| footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2004 |title=WH Smith PLC overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05202036 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms of Use |url=https://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/terms-of-use |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=WH Smith PLC |language=en}}</ref>
}}
'''WH Smith plc''', [[trading as]] '''WHSmith''' (also written '''WH Smith''', and known colloquially as '''Smith's''' and formerly as '''W. H. Smith & Son'''), is a British retailer, with headquarters in [[Swindon]], England, which operates a chain of railway station, airport, port, hospital and motorway service station shops selling books, stationery, magazines, newspapers, entertainment products and confectionery. 

The company was formed by [[Henry Walton Smith]] and his wife Anna in 1792 as a news vendor in London. It remained under the ownership of the Smith family for many years and saw large-scale expansion during the 1970s as the company began to diversify into other markets. Following a rejected private equity takeover in 2004, the company began to focus on its core retail business. It was responsible for the creation of the [[ISBN]] book identifier.<ref name="Book identifier"/>

The company reached an agreement in 2025 to sell its high street store business to Modella Capital. Upon completion of the sale, that business will be renamed [[TGJones]].

WHSmith is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].

==History==
===Formation===
[[File:WHSmith1.png|thumb|The WHSmith logo until the early 1990s, featuring the then-familiar cube of letters. This was briefly revived on special bags and merchandise to mark the firm's 225th anniversary in 2017.]]
In 1792, [[Henry Walton Smith]] and his wife Anna established the business as a news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London.<ref name="history3">{{cite web|url=http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/about_whsmith/history_of_whsmith/|title=History of WHSmith|work=whsmithplc.co.uk|access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> After their deaths, the business — valued in 1812 at £1,280 ({{Inflation|UK|1280|1812|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) — was taken over by their youngest son [[William Henry Smith (1792–1865)|William Henry Smith]], and in 1846 the firm became '''W. H. Smith & Son''' when his only son, also named [[William Henry Smith (1825–1891)|William Henry]], became a partner.<ref name=history1>{{cite journal |author= Richard Cavendish |title= The First W H Smith Railway Bookstall |journal= History Today |volume= 48 |issue= 11 |date= November 1998 |url= https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/first-wh-smith-railway-bookstall |access-date= 2025-05-19 }}</ref> The firm took advantage of the [[History of rail transport in Great Britain#1830–1922: Early development|railway boom]] by opening news-stands on [[railway station]]s, beginning with [[Euston Station|Euston]] in 1848.<ref name=history1/> In 1850, the firm opened depots in [[Birmingham]], [[Manchester]] and [[Liverpool]].<ref>Walbank, Alan. 1960. "Railway Reading."''[[The Book Collector]]''. 9 no.3 (Autumn): 285-291.</ref><ref name=history1/> It also ran a [[lending library|circulating library]] service, from 1860 to 1961, and a publishing business based at the Steam Press, [[Cirencester]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lange |first1=Ernst Philipp K. |title=The madman of St. James', tr. from the Germ. of Philip Galen, by T.H. |date=1861 |publisher=C. H. Clarke |location=London |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G8wNAAAAQAAJ |access-date=27 April 2018 |chapter=W. H. Smith & Son's Subscription Library (advert) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G8wNAAAAQAAJ&pg=PP3}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |publisher = John Murray |location = London |title = Handbook to London as It Is |date = 1879 |chapter=Circulating and Lending Libraries |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugEWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA63 }}</ref> The younger W. H. Smith used the success of the firm as a springboard into politics, becoming a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) in 1868<ref name=history1/> and serving as a minister in several [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] governments.<ref name=history1/>

After the death of W. H. Smith the younger in 1891,<ref>{{cite DNB|last=Maxwell|first=Herbert Eustace|wstitle=Smith, William Henry (1825-1891)|display=Smith, William Henry (1825–1891) |volume=53 |pages=157–160 |short=x}}</ref> his widow was created [[Viscount Hambleden|Viscountess Hambleden]] in her own right;<ref name=history1/> their son inherited the business from his father and the [[viscount]]cy from his mother. After the death of the second Viscount in 1928, the business was reconstituted as a [[limited company]], in which his son, the third Viscount, owned all the ordinary shares.<ref name="history3"/> On the death of the third Viscount in 1948, the death duties were so large that a public holding company had to be formed and shares sold to WH Smith staff and the public.<ref name="history3"/> A younger brother of the third Viscount remained chairman until 1972, but the Smith family's control slipped away, and the last family member left the board in 1996.<ref name="history3"/>

[[File:Horsted keynes station W H Smiths stall.jpg|thumb|Stall on [[Horsted Keynes railway station|Horsted Keynes station]] platform, Sussex, preserved by the [[Bluebell Railway]]]]
[[File:WH Smith, Huntingdon (geograph 3723249).jpg|thumb|right|WHSmith bearing the former logo in Huntingdon, England, in 1986]]
In 1966, WHSmith originated a nine-digit code for uniquely referencing books, called Standard Book Numbering or SBN. It was adopted as international standard [[ISO 2108]] in 1970, and was used until 1974, when it became the [[ISBN]] scheme.<ref name="Book identifier">{{cite web|url=http://www.isbn.org/ISBN_history|title=History|publisher=ISBN|access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

===Expansion===
From the 1970s, WHSmith began to expand into other retail sectors. WH Smith Travel operated from 1973<ref name="history3"/> to 1991. The [[Do It All]] chain of DIY shops originated with an acquisition in 1979,<ref name="history3"/> becoming a joint venture with [[Boots UK|Boots]] in 1990;<ref name=history3/> Boots acquired WHSmith's share in June 1996.<ref name=history3/> The bookshop chain [[Waterstone's]], founded by former WHSmith executive [[Tim Waterstone]] in 1982, was bought in 1989<ref name="history3"/> and sold in 1998.<ref name=history3/>

The expanding WHSmith group adopted a new "house style" or corporate identity in 1973, with a new logo and a change of name from W. H. Smith & Son to WHSmith. The new hexagon-shaped logo featured the initials of the group on the sides of a box employing a new orange and brown colour scheme, replacing a logo that had been in use since before 1830. This updated visual identity extended throughout the company's operations, specified by a design manual, covering everything from the appropriate use of the logo in retail environments, through the design of decorative elements on wrapping paper and promotional material, the layout of stationery, labels and forms, and even crockery, also informing the design of staff uniforms and packaging.<ref name="design197309_whsmith">{{ cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/sim_design_1973-09_297/page/24/mode/1up | title=A new face for WH SMITH | magazine=Design | issue=297 | date=September 1973 | access-date=1 March 2022 | pages=24 }}</ref>

In 1986, WHSmith bought a 75% controlling share of the [[Our Price]] music retail chain;<ref name="history3"/> in the 1990s it also bought other music retailers including the [[Virgin Group]]'s smaller (non-[[Virgin Megastore|Megastore]]) shops. The 75% share of Virgin Our Price was sold to Virgin Retail Group Ltd in July 1998 for £145m.<ref name=history3/> WHSmith also owned the American record chain The Wall,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Christman|first=Ed|date=17 May 1997|title=With peluso to exit, The Wall's future remains a question mark|magazine=Billboard|pages=54–55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pA8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22W+H+Smith%22+%22the+wall%22&pg=PA54}}</ref> which was sold to [[Camelot Music]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoovers.com/company/WH_Smith_PLC/cyfrif-1-1njhxk.html|title=WHSmith|work=Hoovers|access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref>

In March 1998, the company acquired [[John Menzies]]'s retail outlets for £68m, which for many years had been the main rival to the company's railway-station outlets. This purchase also cleared the way for WHSmith's retail expansion into Scotland. Prior to the takeover, Menzies's larger Scottish shops (carrying a very similar range of products to High Street WHSmith shops elsewhere) dominated the market, and the latter's presence was minimal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/102800.stm|title=John Menzies takeover gets all-clear|work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

===Restructuring===
For several years, the company's retail arm had difficulties competing with specialist book and music chains on one side and large supermarkets on the other. This led to poor financial performance, and a takeover bid in 2004 by [[Permira]], which fell through.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stevenson |first1=Rachel |title=Permira drops £940m offer for WH Smith |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/permira-drops-acircpound940m-offer-for-wh-smith-554294.html |access-date=27 April 2018 |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Digital News and Media Ltd |date=23 July 2004}}</ref> The company reacted to this by disposing of its overseas subsidiaries<ref name=overseas>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3652039.stm|title=WH Smith sells Australia business|work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> and its publishing business [[Hodder Headline]], in order to concentrate on reforming its core businesses.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/wh-smith-sells-hodder-headline-to-french-rival-555290.html|title=The Independent – 404|work=The Independent|access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

In August 2006, the company demerged the retail and news distribution arms of the business into two separate companies: WH Smith plc (retail) and [[Smiths News|Smiths News plc]] (newspaper and magazine distribution).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4901924.stm|title=WH Smith unveils separation plan|work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> In September 2010 WHSmith bought [[The Gadget Shop]] from [[The Entertainer (retailer)|The Entertainer]].<ref>[http://www.retail-week.com/sectors/general-merchandise/whsmith-buys-gadget-shop/5016889.article W. H. Smith buys Gadget Shop] ''Retail Week'', 7 September 2010</ref> That year, it also bought online greeting card retailer Funky Pigeon.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Lisa|title=W H Smith 'eyeing Clinton Cards stores'|url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/w-h-smith-eyeing-clinton-cards-stores|access-date=23 August 2017|work=The Bookseller|date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

===Since 2011===
[[File:Funky Pigeon.com shop, Leeds railway station (19th July 2014).JPG|thumb|upright|A WHSmith-owned Funky Pigeon shop at [[Leeds railway station]]]]
In April 2011, WHSmith agreed a deal with the legal services provider [[QualitySolicitors]] under which QualitySolicitors would place representatives in up to 500 of its UK branches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thelawyer.com/qualitysolicitors-to-put-desks-in-500-whsmith-branches/1007577.article|title=QualitySolicitors to put desks in 500 WH Smith branches|access-date=3 May 2012|publisher=The Lawyer|date=7 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/business/selling-pieces-of-law-firms-to-investors.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2|title=Selling Pieces of Law Firms to Investors|access-date=3 May 2012|work=The New York Times|date=28 October 2011|first=John|last=Eligon}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/qualitysolicitors-whsmith-tie|title=QualitySolicitors in WH Smith tie-up|access-date=3 May 2012|publisher=Law Society Gazette|date=7 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121122632/http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/qualitysolicitors-whsmith-tie|archive-date=21 January 2012}}</ref> [[Past Times]] went into administration in January 2012, and the brand name was bought by WHSmith in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://internetretailing.net/2013/04/past-times-website-taken-down-as-wh-smith-buys-the-brand/|title=Past Times website taken down as WH Smith buys the brand|work=InternetRetailing |date=12 April 2013|publisher=Internet Retailing|access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

In October 2013, WHSmith announced that it had bought the [[ModelZone]] brand and would sell products under this brand through existing WHSmith shops.<ref name=WHSmith-profit>{{cite web|last=Holland|first=Tiffany|title=WHSmith reveals full-year profit ahead of expectations|url=http://www.retail-week.com/sectors/general-merchandise/whsmith-full-year-profits-ahead-of-expectations/5053847.article|work=Retail Week|access-date=3 November 2013|date=10 October 2013}}</ref><ref name=WHSmith-Clarke>{{cite web|last=Creevy|first=Jennifer|title=WHSmith boss Steve Clarke: "Our numbers speak for themselves"|url=http://www.retail-week.com/sectors/general-merchandise/whsmith-boss-steve-clarke-our-numbers-speak-for-themselves/5053873.article|work=Retail Week|access-date=3 November 2013|date=10 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="twitter 13/11/13">[https://twitter.com/ModelZone/status/400607584123514880 Tweet by @ModelZone on 13/11/13], ''Twitter''. "9 more to open by 23/11/13 in the following locations- CARDIFF, CROYDON, GATESHEAD METRO, GLASGOW SAUCHIEHALL..."</ref> In October 2014, WHSmith announced as part of its preliminary statement that it was planning on extending its greetings card offering by launching the low-price brand ''Cardmarket'' on a trial basis. According to the statement, these trial shops would be in low rent areas and let to WHSmith under short-term leases.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/oct/16/whsmith-budget-greetings-cards-chain-cardmarket|title=WHSmith to launch standalone budget greetings cards chain|work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London|date=16 October 2014|access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> The company announced in late 2018 that the trial of Cardmarket would be wound up, with the closure of the Cardmarket stores. This was in addition to the announcement of the closure for at least six WHSmith stores which were deemed economically unviable following a strategic business review.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rigby |first=Chloe |url=https://internetretailing.net/strategy-and-innovation/strategy-and-innovation/wh-smith-reviews-its-high-street-presence-and-closes-six-stores-18545 |title=WH Smith reviews its high street presence, and closes six stores – Strategy and Innovation |date=10 October 2018 |publisher=InternetRetailing |access-date=3 January 2019}}</ref>

Late in 2017, the company purchased Cult Pens, a UK-based online retailer of specialist pens, for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web |title=WHSmith buys Cult Pens |url=https://www.stationerymatters.news/home/news/whsmith-buys-cult-pens-54371 |website=Stationery Matters|date=31 January 2018 |access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>

In 2018, WHSmith acquired the brand InMotion, the largest airport-based electronics retailer in the US. InMotion expanded to operate stores within UK airports including [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]], [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] and [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]], as well as overseas in Spain and Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WH Smith acquires InMotion for USD198m |url=https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2018/10/30/269999/wh-smith-acquires-inmotion-usd198m|publisher=Private Equity Wire|date=30 October 2018|access-date=4 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124233056/https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/wh-smith-acquires-inmotion-usd198m/ |archive-date= Nov 24, 2023 }}</ref>

In July 2020, WHSmith announced more than 150 redundancies at its head office, representing approximately 18% of the head office workforce.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/07/150-office-jobs-whsmith-redundancy-consultation-bookstore-books/ |first1= Elias |last1=Jahshan |title=150 office jobs at risk as WH Smith begins redundancy consultations|date=2 July 2020|publisher=Retail Gazette|access-date=6 July 2020}}</ref> In November 2020, the company announced that, after a loss of £280 million, it had decided to close 25 stores in the country, noting that eight stores had been closed in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WH Smith to close 25 stores after falling to £280m loss|url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-wh-smith-2020-results-sales-loss-store-closures-081548320.html|access-date=12 November 2020|website= Yahoo Finance UK |first1=Oscar |last1=Williams-Grut |date=12 November 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In August 2020, WHSmith launched a new flagship store in Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport, in collaboration with Well, which features an in-house pharmacy.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 August 2020|title=WHSmith unveils flagship store at Heathrow T2|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/08/30/whsmith-unveils-flagship-store-at-heathrow-t2/|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Business Traveller |first1= Mark |last1=Caswell }}</ref>

WHSmith announced in June 2023 that it would not be opening any more stores on [[High Street]]s in the UK and would instead add stores in airports, railway stations and in the United States and Europe.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2023 |title=WH Smith won't open any more UK High Street stores |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66043903 |first1= Leanna |last1=Byrne |access-date=20 July 2023}}</ref> Also in June, toy retailer [[Toys "R" Us]] announced plans to open nine concessions in WHSmith stores, marking the return of the brand's physical presence in the UK after its own stores closed in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Jun 2023 |agency= WHP Global  |title=WHSmith Set to Bring Toys"R"Us Back to the High Street for UK Shoppers This Summer |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whsmith-set-to-bring-toysrus-back-to-the-high-street-for-uk-shoppers-this-summer-301839203.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=PR Newswire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Aoife |date=1 June 2023 |title=Toys R Us returns to the high street with WHSmith concessions |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/06/toys-r-us-whsmith/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=Retail Gazette |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In December 2023, the logo was changed as part of a rebranding trial. The changed stores, which included those in [[York]], [[Canterbury]] and [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], dropped the word "Smith" in favour of "WHS".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=Lucy |date=24 December 2023 |title=Kent WHSmith store changes logo - but people 'mistaking it for NHS' |url=https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/shopping/kent-whsmith-store-changes-logo-8996635 |website=Kent Live |url-status=live |archive-url= https://archive.today/20240207223240/https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/shopping/kent-whsmith-store-changes-logo-8996635 |archive-date= 7 February 2024 }}</ref>

=== TGJones sell-off ===
{{main|TGJones}}
In January 2025, WHSmith was reported to be in talks to sell its high street business, with around 500 stores and the partnership with Toys "R" Us. The more profitable travel retail business (which has shops in railway stations, airports, ports, hospitals and on motorways), the brand and Funky Pigeon would be unaffected by this.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinman |first=Mark |date=25 January 2025 |title=WH Smith in secret talks to sell historic high street arm |url=https://news.sky.com/story/wh-smith-in-secret-talks-to-sell-historic-high-street-arm-13295955 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> The company said that, in the previous financial year, it had derived 85% of its revenues from its travel operations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=2025-03-28 |title=WH Smith name to disappear from high street in agreed £76m sale to Modella |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/28/wh-smith-brand-to-disappear-as-76m-sale-of-stores-to-modella-agreed |access-date=2025-03-28 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In March 2025, WHSmith announced that it was selling its high street business to Modella Capital. The stores are expected to be rebranded to [[TGJones]], whilst the current operator retains the WHSmith brand for its travel business.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Georgia |date=2025-03-28 |title=WHSmith sells UK high street arm for £76m to Modella Capital - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/03/whsmith-sells-high-street/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following concerns from the [[Communication Workers Union (United Kingdom)|Communication Workers Union]] (CWU), representing [[Post Office Limited|Post Office]] and [[Royal Mail]] staff, that the sale may cause "postal deserts" given the large proportion of branches inside WHSmith stores, Modella insist they plan to make few changes, retaining Post Offices and Toys "R" Us sections within shops.<ref name=":0" />

==Television==
WHSmith founded one of the UK's earliest cable television channels, [[Lifestyle (British TV channel)|Lifestyle]], which was carried on almost every cable system in the UK and Ireland prior to the start of [[Sky Television (1984–1990)|Sky Television]] in 1989.<ref name="history3"/> By late 1984, the company had bought a 15% stake in [[Screensport]] and from January 1986, took over the operations and management when [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and R Kennedy pulled out.<ref>Shadow cast over cable TV. Jonathan Miller, Media Correspondent. ''The Times'', Monday, 1 December 1986; pg. 3.</ref> Both channels were closed in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering Screensport - The Final Days | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzVZqq70PmQ |last1=thesearethedays |access-date=1 September 2022 |date=1 March 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering Lifestyle - including Final Closedown | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JGPhJs6yPA |last1=thesearethedays |access-date=1 September 2022 |date=14 January 1993}}</ref>

==Operations==
===United Kingdom===
[[File:The old Lion and Lamb Public House, High Street, Brentwood. - geograph.org.uk - 50636.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Brentwood, Essex|Brentwood]] High Street branch]]
[[File:Interior of WH Smith, Market Place, Pontefract (5th July 2019).jpg|thumb|right|Interior of a branch in [[Pontefract]], [[West Yorkshire]] seen in 2019]]
Since 2007, the company has taken on a number of Post Office branches, mainly within its high street shops.<ref>{{cite news|title=In-store post offices at WH Smith|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6570653.stm|work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823211445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6570653.stm |archive-date= Aug 23, 2017 }}</ref> By April 2016, this had reached 107, including former Crown Post Offices, with plans for an additional 61.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Butler|first1=Sarah|title=Post Office to move up to 61 branches to WH Smith|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/13/post-office-to-move-up-to-61-branches-to-wh-smith|access-date=23 August 2017|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=13 April 2016}}</ref>

WHSmith also operate a number of shops within hospitals, following its acquisition of [[Yorkshire]]-based newsagent chain United News in March 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/businessnews/Yorkshire-hospital-shops-chain-bought.3897343.jp|title=Yorkshire hospital shops chain bought by WH Smith|work=Yorkshire Post|access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

In addition to its existing joint ventures and franchise shops, the company trialled the smaller format, convenience-based WHSmith Local concept during 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=WH Smith Local franchise gathers interest from indie retailers|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/traditional-retailers/ctns/wh-smith-local-franchise-gathers-interest-from-indie-retailers/354993.article|work=The Grocer|date=1 March 2014|access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref> Targeted at independent newsagents and post office business owners,<ref>{{cite web|title=WHSmith Local|url=http://local.whsmith.co.uk/|work=WHSmith PLC|access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref> a total of 40 such stores were trading and a further 40 planned by the time the 2015 annual report had been published.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annual Report and Accounts 2015|url=http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/docs/FINAL_PDF_WHSmith_AR15_WEB.pdf|type=pdf|date=15 October 2015|access-date=28 January 2016|work=WHSmith PLC}}</ref>

Since 2011, the company has also opened shops using its Funky Pigeon brand and subsidiary Funky Pigeon.com Ltd which offers stationery and personalised greetings cards both online and via stores.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Nicola|title=WHSmith to launch Funky Pigeon stores|url=https://www.retail-week.com/whsmith-to-launch-funky-pigeon-stores/5024706.article|access-date=23 August 2017|work=Retail Week|date=21 April 2011}}</ref> In 2024, WHSmith announced that they had reached an exclusive agreement with [[Toys "R" Us UK|Toys R Us]] owner WHP Global to open Toys R Us concessions inside its stores.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-10 |title=Toys R Us announces 17 new locations in WH Smith partnership |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv29wnwek7eo |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WHP Global Signs Exclusive Partnership with WHSmith for Toys"R"Us® Shop-in-Shops in the UK – WHP-Global |date=26 April 2024 |url=https://www.whp-global.com/news/whp-global-signs-exclusive-partnership-with-whsmith-for-toysrus-shop-in-shops-in-the-uk/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:WH Smith.jpg|thumb|221x221px|Store at [[Heathrow Airport]]]]

===International===
Canadian operations initially began in 1950. By 1970, there were 14 stores in Canada.<ref name=vid>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=10 June 1970|title=W.H. Smith, Giant U.K. Book Distrib, Moves Into Videocassette Market|page=31}}</ref> They continued until 1989, when they were sold to domestic owners and renamed SmithBooks. SmithBooks later merged with [[Coles (bookstore)|Coles]], forming [[Chapters (bookstore)|Chapters]], which retained the Coles and SmithBooks names and locations while also opening new namesake [[superstore]]s. Many SmithBooks locations were eventually closed or converted to Coles; a few locations still retain the name as of 2013.<ref>[http://www.yellowpages.ca/bus/Ontario/SmithBooks/7182620.html?what=SmithBooks&where=London,%20ON&cli=0,5&le=16afa SmithBooks – ON]. Yellowpages.ca. Retrieved on 19 September 2013.</ref>

In 2018, WHSmith re-entered the Canadian and American markets through its acquisition of Airport Electronics Retailer InMotion<ref>{{Cite web |title=InMotion |url=https://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/about-us/brands-and-partnered-brands/inmotion |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=WH Smith PLC |language=en}}</ref> and Marshall Retail Group in 2019. As of 2024, WHSmith owns 320 stores in North America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Locations |url=https://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/our-locations |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=WH Smith PLC |language=en}}</ref>

By 1970, WHSmith had one retail store in both Brussels and Paris.<ref name=vid/> The company retains one shop on [[Rue de Rivoli]] in the centre of [[Paris]], France. However the store in Paris is now branded as Smith & Son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whsmith.fr/ |title=WHSmith Paris |publisher=Whsmith.fr |access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kemp |first=Margaret |url=https://bonjourparis.com/food-restaurant-news/wh-smith-reopens-traditional-english-tearoom-on-rue-de-rivoli/ |title=WH Smith Reopens Traditional English Tearoom on Rue de Rivoli |date=12 October 2016 |publisher=Bonjourparis.com |access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2022/03/19/smithson-paris/|title=Smith&Son Paris. A tale of a street|first=Giulia|last=Cangianiello|date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

The company acquired [[Whitcoulls|Whitcoulls and Bennetts]] in New Zealand and [[Angus & Robertson]] in Australia in 2001 with plans to convert Whitcoulls to WHSmith.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2023 |title=For Whitcoulls, read WHSmith - Business News |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/for-whitcoulls-read-whsmith/J3Q7USSQYSH3F6V736PDVOF3TU/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> However they were later sold off along with those in [[Hong Kong International Airport]] (now as [[Page One (bookstore)|Page One]]) and in Singapore at [[Changi Airport]], in 2004 (now Times Travel under the [[Times Bookstores]] banner).<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2004 |title=Struggling WH Smith exits Australasia with £47m sale |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/struggling-wh-smith-exits-australasia-with-acirc-pound-47m-sale-561054.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref name=overseas/>

WHSmith restarted its Australian operations in March 2011 following the collapse of [[Borders (Asia Pacific)|Angus & Robertson/Borders]] who held the naming rights in Australia. The first new shop was opened at [[Melbourne Airport]], in the [[Melbourne Airport#Terminal 2|international departures terminal]].  There are now three outlets at Melbourne Airport, three at [[Southern Cross railway station]] and one within [[Melbourne Central Shopping Centre|Melbourne Central]].<ref>[http://www.insideretailing.com.au/Latest/tabid/53/ID/9661/WH-Smith-touches-down-in-Australia.aspx W. H. Smith touches down in Australia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225055516/http://www.insideretailing.com.au/Latest/tabid/53/ID/9661/WH-Smith-touches-down-in-Australia.aspx |date=25 February 2011 }} Inside Retailing</ref>

WHSmith has opened shops in major Indian airports. WHSmith is currently in the process of planning 30 kiosk shops in China.<ref>[http://news.sky.com/story/1076772/wh-smith-travel-shops-help-high-street-falls W. H. Smith 'Travel Shops' Help High Street Falls] Sky News Business</ref> Currently, WHSmith sponsor the IPL cricket team ([[Sunrisers Hyderabad]]) (SRH) in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=WHSmith to be principal sponsor for SunRisers Hyderabad|date=16 April 2014 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/whsmith-to-be-principal-sponsor-for-sunrisers-hyderabad/article5918846.ece|publisher=The Hindu Businessline|access-date=22 April 2014}}</ref>

In October 2008, WHSmith, together with SSP, opened five branches within [[Copenhagen Airport]],<ref>{{cite web | last = Williams Fannin | first = Clare | title = SSP and WHSmith open first of five news shops at Copenhagen | publisher = SSP | date = 1 December 2008 | url = http://www.foodtravelexperts.com/news-release-pdf//SSP_WHSmith_Press_Release_Dec_08.pdf | access-date = 11 May 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110711015552/http://www.foodtravelexperts.com/news-release-pdf//SSP_WHSmith_Press_Release_Dec_08.pdf | archive-date = 11 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and in April 2009, opened a branch in [[Stockholm-Arlanda Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Englund | first = Raine | title = The first WHSmith in Sweden opens at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport | publisher = SSP | date = 1 April 2009 | url = http://www.foodtravelexperts.com/sweden/news-release-pdf//Press_release_WHSmith_090401_eng.pdf | access-date = 11 May 2009}}</ref> In 2009, WHSmith opened two shops in [[Shannon Airport]], [[County Clare]], Ireland. A further three shops are operated in Dublin Airport's Terminal Two, which opened in November 2010 and 5 shops in [[Dublin Airport]]'s Terminal One, which opened in 2013. The chain promised when winning this latter contract to hire a full-time Irish book buyer; however, the appointment of an Australian, based in London and not in Dublin, drew adverse criticism.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/w-h-smiths-irish-book-buyer-for-terminal-2-stores-is-australian-2284685.html |title=W. H. Smith's 'Irish' book buyer for Terminal 2 stores is Australian |work=Independent.ie |date=5 August 2010 |access-date=20 August 2010}}</ref>

In 2013, it opened an additional four shops at Dublin Airport's Terminal 1. Eason's, currently at T1 in Dublin, asked the airport operator to tender for a new contract one year earlier as the retailer blamed a fall in sales on the success of Terminal 2 at Dublin, which carried the majority of long haul traffic and long haul passengers tend to spend more on books.<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/eason-loses-out-to-wh-smith-in-deal-to-run-bookshops-at-dublin-airport-29436067.html Eason loses out to W. H. Smith in deal to run bookshops at Dublin Airport]. Independent.ie (21 July 2013). Retrieved on 19 September 2013.</ref>

WHSmith opened four branches in [[Helsinki Airport]], Finland in late 2016 and early 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.finavia.fi/en/news-room/news/2016/finavia-brings-traveller-retail-expert-whsmith-to-finland/|title=Finavia brings traveller retail expert WHSmith to Finland|publisher=Finavia|date=1 September 2016|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.finavia.fi/en/news-room/news/2017/whsmith-to-open-four-stores-at-helsinki-airport/|title=WHSmith to open four shops at Helsinki Airport|publisher=Finavia|date=2 May 2017|access-date=6 June 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710200332/https://www.finavia.fi/en/news-room/news/2017/whsmith-to-open-four-stores-at-helsinki-airport/ |archive-date= Jul 10, 2017 }}</ref>

The company has a shop in Malta International Airport<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maltairport.com/shop/whsmith-2/| title=Shopping at Malta International Airport - WHSmith |publisher= Malta International Airport|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> which was opened in 2016 under a franchise agreement with Miller Distributors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/retail/whsmith-launches-inaugural-store-malta-airport-17-05-2016/ |first1= David |last1=Tran |title=WHSmith launches flagship at Malta airport |date=17 May 2016|publisher=DFNI Online|access-date=23 May 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125000039/https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/retail/whsmith-launches-inaugural-store-malta-airport-17-05-2016/ |archive-date= Nov 25, 2023 }}</ref>

==Controversies==
On 19 June 2009, WHSmith apologised after promoting a book on cellar rapist [[Fritzl case|Josef Fritzl]] as one of the "Top 50 Books for Dad" as a [[Father's Day]] gift.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Amar |last1=Singh |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23709609-whsmith-sorry-for-josef-fritzl-fathers-day-promotion.do |title=WHSmith sorry for Josef Fritzl Father's Day promotion |date=19 June 2009 |website=London Evening Standard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608110723/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/standard/article-23709609-whsmith-sorry-for-josef-fritzl-fathers-day-promotion.do |archive-date= Jun 8, 2010 }}</ref><ref>Stina Backer, "[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/fritzl-a-perfect-gift-for-fathers-day-say-tesco-and-wh-smith-1710733.html Fritzl: a perfect gift for Father's Day, say Tesco and W. H. Smith]", ''The Independent'' (London), 20 June 2009.</ref>

In October 2012, WHSmith faced criticism from shooters after the sale of shooting magazines to children under 14 was banned, although it is legal for children under 14 to go shooting. The decision appeared to follow a campaign by animal rights activists. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) campaigned against the ban, including a 12,000+ signature petition. In mid-November it emerged that the restrictions had been removed from all UK shooting magazines.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9606557/WH-Smith-bans-children-from-buying-shooting-magazines.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9606557/WH-Smith-bans-children-from-buying-shooting-magazines.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=W. H. Smith bans children from buying shooting magazines |work=The Daily Telegraph |date= 14 October 2012|access-date=30 March 2013 |location=London |first=Richard |last=Eden}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9630068/Team-GB-shooting-coach-hits-out-at-WH-Smith-magazine-ban.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9630068/Team-GB-shooting-coach-hits-out-at-WH-Smith-magazine-ban.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Team GB shooting coach hits out at W. H. Smith magazine ban |work=The Daily Telegraph |date= 24 October 2012|access-date=30 March 2013 |location=London |first=Rosa |last=Silverman}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/key_issues.cfm/cid/C21BBE99-3B1D-4002-93C55619A5B7EFEB |title=Key Issues |publisher=Basc.org.uk |access-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202183330/http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/key_issues.cfm/cid/C21BBE99-3B1D-4002-93C55619A5B7EFEB |archive-date=2 February 2013  }}</ref>

On 14 October 2013, WHSmith took their website offline because "unacceptable titles were appearing on their website". These were e-books with themes of abuse.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24519179 |title=W. H. Smith takes website offline after porn e-book scandal |work=[[BBC News]] |date=14 October 2013 |access-date=19 January 2014}}</ref>

The chain was criticised in 2014 for the condition of its shops, with both analysts and customers accusing the chain of under-investing in its estate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/1369095/the-dismal-decline-whsmith/|title=The Dismal Decline of WHSmith|date=21 October 2015|work=Management Today|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cityam.com/1415782381/whsmith-share-price-remains-flat-despite-fall-underlying-sales-and-its-carpets-are-still|title=WH Smith share price remains flat despite fall in underlying sales – and its carpets are still a mess|date=12 November 2014|work=City AM|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref>

In 2015, an investigation by ''[[The Independent]]'' revealed that WHSmith and other airport retailers were charging VAT to shoppers travelling outside the [[European Union]], then claiming the [[Value-added tax|VAT]] back from the [[Government of the United Kingdom|government]] and not passing the refund on to customers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Neville|first1=Simon|title=WH Smith continues to demand boarding passes from passengers to avoid paying VAT|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airport-scam-wh-smith-continues-to-demand-boarding-passes-from-passengers-to-avoid-paying-vat-a6695876.html|access-date=23 August 2017|work=The Independent|date=15 October 2015}}</ref> This was made possible by the practice of scanning customer's boarding passes at the till point – solely for the benefit of the company – which made the passengers unwitting accomplices in their own deception. After a public outcry, a customer revolt in which many refused to hand over their boarding passes, and an intervention by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]], the company confirmed in March 2017 that it would pass on the VAT reduction to customers spending over £6, who were travelling outside the EU.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Calder|first1=Simon|title=Boots and WH Smith are giving tax back to airport customers – how does it work?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/boots-wh-smith-airports-tax-money-back-refund-how-does-it-work-explained-a7628956.html|access-date=23 August 2017|work=The Independent|date=14 March 2017}}</ref>

In 2015, the company was also criticised for the prices charged in its branches in hospitals, after media investigations found some items to be on sale at significantly higher prices than in high street branches.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/22/wh-smith-prices-hospitals-nhs-patients|title=WH Smith to cut prices in hospitals after claims of exploiting NHS patients|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=22 September 2015|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref> In May 2018, WHSmith apologised after it was revealed that it had made more than £700 by selling single tubes of toothpaste for £7.99 through its branch in [[Pinderfields Hospital]], [[Wakefield]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-44084638|title=WHSmith 'sorry' for Pinderfields Hospital £7.99 toothpaste|work=[[BBC News]] |date=12 May 2018|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> The price was described as an 'error' and WHSmith promised that the proceeds from the sales would be donated to a local charity. The price was restored to £2.49, still more than three times the price of 80p charged in a nearby [[Tesco]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/wh-smith-toothpaste-8-pinderfields-hospital-a8348001.html|title=WH Smith criticised for selling toothpaste at £8 a tube in hospital|work=The Independent|date=12 May 2018|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2023, the company was found to have broken the minimum wage law, having failed to pay around £1 million to 17,607 of its workers. The company said that this was because of an error related to its uniform policy, with a spokesperson saying "Following a review with [[HM Revenue and Customs|HMRC]] in 2019, and in common with a number of retailers, it was brought to our attention that we had misinterpreted how the statutory wage regulations were applied to our uniform policy for staff working in our stores. This was a genuine error and it was rectified immediately with all colleagues reimbursed in 2019".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 June 2023 |title=Swindon-based retail giant fined after failing to pay staff £1 million |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/23604631.wh-smith-fined-government-failing-pay-staff-1-million/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=Swindon Advertiser |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Companies|Books}}
* [[Retail Book Association]]
* [[Books in the United Kingdom]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{cc}}
* [https://www.whsmithplc.co.uk Corporate website]
* [https://www.whsmith.co.uk Retail website]

{{Books}}
{{Bookstore Chains}}
{{Bookshops in London}}
{{FTSE 250 Index constituents}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:British brands]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1792]]
[[Category:Companies based in Swindon]]
[[Category:Bookshops of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Book selling websites]]
[[Category:1792 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Companies in the FTSE 250 Index]]
[[Category:International Standard Book Number]]