WHSMITH A WORLD CLASS BRAND AND RETAILER
We are the UK'S most popular stationer, bookseller, and newsagent-with a rapidly expanding international estate
We now have over 1,200 outlets across the UK and abroad:
- 106 International outlets in Ireland, France, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Gibraltar, Jordon, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, China, Malaysia, Fiji and Australia.
- Group sales totaled $1,186 million in 2013, and profit before tax was $108 million-up 6% on the prior year.
We are worldwide experts in news, books and convenience retailing:
- Over 1.6 billion global travelers are exposed to the WHSmith brand in airports alone every year.
- 30 million books sold each year, with a million in airports alone.
A STRONG INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE
WHSMITH NEWS, BOOKS, & CONVENIENCE
A full convenience store format offering a vast variety of products and catering to every customer requirement possible.
WHSmith News, books and convenience (NBC) stores focus on true convenience and providing something for every customer. Stores are designed to accommodate a range of shopping patterns & behavious from someone who wants to get in and out as quickly as possible to someone who wants to take the time to browse our extensive range of products.
With stores located in multiple areas which vary in size, customer profiles and dwell time, we manage to have a product mix which fits the specific needs of customers in each location.
We work collaboratively with our landlords and business partners to achieve mutually beneficial results. The product mix of our NBC stores is tailored to reflect the goals and customer mix of each location in which we operate.
WHSMITH EXPRESS
Our WHSmith express brand offers a more selective mix of product categories specifically targeted at customers on-the go. With a wide range of convenience products and services-drinks, snacks, confectionery, groceries, fresh foods, hot coffee and much more - our express format delivers exactly what the traveler needs in a quick and convenient format.
WHSmith Express Outlets follows the same brand power and category authority like that of our large WHSmith Stores ensuring high levels of customer service delivered in a smaller format and with a dedicated focus on core essentials and impulse products.
NBC PRODUCT ZONES
WHSmith runs stores in multiple locations which vary in size, customer profile and dwell time. We are experts at flexing our space and product mix to fit the specific needs of customers in each location.
News and Magazines
- World class range of the best newspapers and magazines.
- A Broad selection of local and international titles
- High volume fixturings to maximize face out displays
Books
- A wide selection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s and travel books.
- Large promotional chart area and tables highlighting specific promotions
- Placed in a prominent location within the store
Food & Drink
- Snacks, confectionery, sandwiches and drinks
- The zone layout is designed to minimize the purchase time
- Key promotional space to highlight great value multi-buy offers
Souvenirs, Gifts, and Stationery
- Broad range of branded and own-label products
- Fashion stationery and business professional ranges
- Gifts and souvenirs*
- Cards and wrap**
Everyday Essentials
- Health and beauty products, over the counter medicines, travel accessories* and electronic products
- Additional services of Mobile & DTH Recharge and Utility bill payment
A COMPELLING CUSTOMER PROPOSITION
In all our formats we recognize the importance of a comprehensive, vibrant and exciting retail environment to ensure an unforgettable customer experience.
Through years of experience we have developed a winning retail combination of store design, product mix, pricing and promotions and the ‘wow’ factor to deliver the perfect shopping experience to our customers.
TAILORED PRODUCT MIX AND ENTICING PROMOTIONS
We understand that not all retail environments are the same, which is why we tailor our product offerings to reflect the individual requirements of customers in each store location. We will also launch our new stores with an energy packed high impact marketing program and we commit to run this program of events and promotions on an ongoing basis to promote our stores
ATTRACTIVE OFFERS AND COMPETITIVE PRICING
We know that our product prices play a major role in determining what our customers feel about us. Hence, we focus on ensuring value for money by always setting the right & competitive price for our products. We create a strong impact on the customer by rolling out promotions with great value for money for the customers while at the same time we are focused towards driving a good average transaction value using strong multi-buy promotions.
INVITING SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT
Through design led environments utilizing fixtures and fittings with a customer and commercial focus, WHSmith stores offer a dynamic easy-to-shop experience. We use layers of clear and striking communication to illustrate our range, choice, innovation and value for money which helps our customers to easily navigate our stores.
USING TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP CUSTOMERS MOVING
Innovative solutions to ensure more and more customers are served in the most efficient way possible.
SELF SERVICE CHECKOUTS
An easy-to-use flexible solution to reduce queues at key times, giving customers the choice to serve themselves or go through our operated tills.
This technology is currently operational in our UK estate and we are exploring avenues to implement this into our international stores.
PLASMAS AND FID
Our instore plasma screens are one of the most innovative and effective promotional tools around. Using these we run instore promotions, supplier branded advertising and estimated queue wait times.
In airports, we also have flight information display (FID) screens which ensure that customers know the status of their flight at all times. These are positioned in high visibility areas around the store and in the queue system.
QUEUE AND MOBILE TILLING
This fully portable hand-held device provides scanning capabilities via an electronic service belt wom by the sales assistant.
This technology allows us to:
- Print shelf edge and promotional labels at point of sale
- Create electronic pick lists for faster replenishment
- Perform price lookups on the shop floor
- Improve overall operational efficiency
CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
Integrated card readers supporting contactless credit and debit card payments for smaller transactions.
- Simple and easy to use-pin required
- Reduces transaction times by approximately 20 seconds
- Card readers conform to the latest near field communication(NFC) standards ready to support both cards and mobile phone payments.
