WH Smith - a shop that has been with us for over 200 years!
An enduring presence in British High Streets and railways stations, WH Smith was founded back in 1792.
Initially founded as a news vendor, the company evolved over the years to encompass bookselling, stationery, and a diverse range of products.
The first WH Smith shop was opened by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna in Little Grosvenor Street, London.
A few decades later, WH Smith opened the first ever travel retail store in London’s Euston station in 1848, beginning the company's long and continuing relationship with the national rail network.
Capitalising on the growing popularity of train travel, WH Smith expanded its presence by opening railway station bookstalls throughout the later part of the 19th century. These bookstalls become outlets for cheap editions of publications produced for railway travellers, the popular 'yellowbacks'.
This strategic move solidified its status as a reliable source for literature and periodicals, catering to the reading needs of a mobile population. In this, the company was aided by expanding literacy and the advent of compulsory schooling.
The 20th century saw WH Smith's continued expansion, with high street stores becoming a familiar sight across Britain. The company's commitment to providing a wide selection of books and stationery items made it a go-to destination for bibliophiles and those seeking office supplies.
As technology advanced, WH Smith adapted by incorporating music, DVDs, and other entertainment products into its inventory. The company also embraced the digital age, launching an online platform to cater to changing consumer preferences.
Despite facing challenges posed by the evolving retail landscape, and the closure of travel during the pandemic, WH Smith continues to be successful.
This survival has not been without the occasional controversy.
In 2023, the company was found to have broken the minimum wage law, and in 2015, WH Smith was also criticised for the significantly higher prices charged in its branches in hospitals, as well as for claiming VAT refunds from the Government on behalf of customers at its airport shops - whilst failing to pass these refunds on to the customers themselves.
Further reading
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