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==History==
==History==

[[File:W H Smith sign.jpg|thumb|200px|W H Smith [[signage]] displaying the modern blue and white design]]
[[File:W H Smith sign.jpg|thumb|200px|W H Smith [[signage]] displaying the modern blue and white design]]
⚫
[[File:WHSmith1.png|thumb|right|240px|WH Smith logo until the early 1990s, featuring the then-familiar cube of letters.]]

===Formation===
===Formation===

In 1792, [[Henry Walton Smith]] and his wife Anna established the business as a news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London.<ref name=history0>[http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/about_whsmith/history_of_whsmith/ WH Smith: History 1792-1900]</ref> After their deaths, the business &mdash; valued in 1812 at £1,280 &mdash;(about ~{{Inflation|UK|1280|1812|2012}} in 2012, adjusted by inflation) 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 [[William Henry Smith (1825–1891)|William Henry]], became a partner.<ref name=history1>{{cite web|url=http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LBdp1rFrp8cT2c3hljxGjfs5JJByH12dv2mLJhV2X2jlspP2TXcq!496957122!795493605?docId=5001411980 |title=The First WH Smith Railway Bookstall - Research and Read Books, Journals, Articles at Questia Online Library |publisher=Questia.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-20}}</ref> The firm took advantage of the [[History of rail transport in Great Britain#1830–1922: Early development|railway boom]] by opening newsstands on [[train station|railway stations]], starting with [[Euston Station|Euston]] in 1848.<ref name=history1/> In 1850 the firm opened depots in [[Birmingham]], [[Manchester]] and [[Liverpool]].<ref name=history1/> The younger W H Smith used the success of the firm as a springboard into politics, becoming an [[Member of Parliament|MP]] in 1868<ref name=history1/> and serving as a minister in several [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] governments.<ref name=history1/>
In 1792, [[Henry Walton Smith]] and his wife Anna established the business as a news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London.<ref name=history0>[http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/about_whsmith/history_of_whsmith/ WH Smith: History 1792-1900]</ref> After their deaths, the business &mdash; valued in 1812 at £1,280 &mdash;(about ~{{Inflation|UK|1280|1812|2012}} in 2012, adjusted by inflation) 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 [[William Henry Smith (1825–1891)|William Henry]], became a partner.<ref name=history1>{{cite web|url=http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LBdp1rFrp8cT2c3hljxGjfs5JJByH12dv2mLJhV2X2jlspP2TXcq!496957122!795493605?docId=5001411980 |title=The First WH Smith Railway Bookstall - Research and Read Books, Journals, Articles at Questia Online Library |publisher=Questia.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-20}}</ref> The firm took advantage of the [[History of rail transport in Great Britain#1830–1922: Early development|railway boom]] by opening newsstands on [[train station|railway stations]], starting with [[Euston Station|Euston]] in 1848.<ref name=history1/> In 1850 the firm opened depots in [[Birmingham]], [[Manchester]] and [[Liverpool]].<ref name=history1/> The younger W H Smith used the success of the firm as a springboard into politics, becoming an [[Member of Parliament|MP]] in 1868<ref name=history1/> and serving as a minister in several [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] governments.<ref name=history1/>


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WH Smith is buried in [[Kensal Green cemetery]] in London, one of the [[Magnificent Seven, London|Magnificent Seven]]. Uniquely his grave is owned and maintained by the WH Smith company and not the cemetery itself.
WH Smith is buried in [[Kensal Green cemetery]] in London, one of the [[Magnificent Seven, London|Magnificent Seven]]. Uniquely his grave is owned and maintained by the WH Smith company and not the cemetery itself.
⚫
[[File:WH Smith, Pontefract.jpg|thumb|left|upright|WH Smith in [[Pontefract]], [[West Yorkshire]].]]


===ISBN catalogue invention===
===ISBN catalogue invention===
⚫
[[File:Whsmith hq swindon.jpg|thumb|W H Smith's HQ building in [[Swindon]]]]

In 1966, W H Smith originated a 9-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.
In 1966, W H Smith originated a 9-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.


===1970s expansion===
===1970s expansion===

From the 1970s, W H Smith began to expand into other areas of retail. W H Smith Travel operated from 1973<ref name=history2/> to 1991, The [[Do It All]] chain of DIY stores started with a 1979 acquisition,<ref name=history2/> became a joint venture with [[Boots the Chemists|Boots]] in 1990<ref name=history3/> and its share was sold in June 1996 to Boots.<ref name=history3/> The bookshop chain [[Waterstone's]], founded by former W H Smith executive [[Tim Waterstone]] in 1982, was bought in 1989<ref name=history2/> and sold in 1998.<ref name=history3/>
From the 1970s, W H Smith began to expand into other areas of retail. W H Smith Travel operated from 1973<ref name=history2/> to 1991, The [[Do It All]] chain of DIY stores started with a 1979 acquisition,<ref name=history2/> became a joint venture with [[Boots the Chemists|Boots]] in 1990<ref name=history3/> and its share was sold in June 1996 to Boots.<ref name=history3/> The bookshop chain [[Waterstone's]], founded by former W H Smith executive [[Tim Waterstone]] in 1982, was bought in 1989<ref name=history2/> and sold in 1998.<ref name=history3/>


===Ownership of music retailers===
===Ownership of music retailers===
⚫
[[File:WHSmith1.png|thumb|right|240px|WH Smith logo until the early 1990s, featuring the then-familiar cube of letters.]]

In 1986, W H Smith bought a 75% controlling share of the [[Our Price]] music chain;<ref name=history2/> 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/>
In 1986, W H Smith bought a 75% controlling share of the [[Our Price]] music chain;<ref name=history2/> 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/>


=== Takeover of John Menzies ===
=== Takeover of John Menzies ===
⚫
[[File:W H Smith in Glasgow Central Station.JPG|thumb|W H Smith in [[Glasgow Central Station]]]]
In March 1998, the company acquired [[John Menzies]]' retail outlets for £68m, which for many years were the main rival to the company's railway-station outlets. This purchase also cleared the way for W H Smith's retail expansion into Scotland. Prior to the takeover, Menzies' larger Scottish stores (carrying a very similar range of products to High Street W H Smith stores elsewhere) dominated the market, and the latter's presence was minimal.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/102800.stm John Menzies gets takeover all clear]</ref>
In March 1998, the company acquired [[John Menzies]]' retail outlets for £68m, which for many years were the main rival to the company's railway-station outlets. This purchase also cleared the way for W H Smith's retail expansion into Scotland. Prior to the takeover, Menzies' larger Scottish stores (carrying a very similar range of products to High Street W H Smith stores elsewhere) dominated the market, and the latter's presence was minimal.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/102800.stm John Menzies gets takeover all clear]</ref>
[[File:Horsted keynes station W H Smiths stall.jpg|thumb|[[Horsted Keynes]] branch]]


=== Recent developments ===
=== Recent developments ===

For several years, the company's retail side had difficulties competing with specialist book and music chains on one side and large [[supermarket]]s on the other: this led to poor financial performance, and a takeover bid in 2004 by the [[Permira]] group, which fell through.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/permira-hatching-fresh-bid-for-wh-smith-after-pensions-setback-733614.html Permira hatching fresh bid for WH Smith after pensions set back]</ref> The Company reacted to this by disposing of its overseas subsidiaries<ref name=overseas>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3652039.stm WH Smith sells Australian business]</ref> and its publishing business [[Hodder Headline]], in order to concentrate on reforming its core businesses.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/wh-smith-sells-hodder-headline-to-french-rival-555290.html WH Smith sells Hodder Headline to French rival]</ref>
For several years, the company's retail side had difficulties competing with specialist book and music chains on one side and large [[supermarket]]s on the other: this led to poor financial performance, and a takeover bid in 2004 by the [[Permira]] group, which fell through.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/permira-hatching-fresh-bid-for-wh-smith-after-pensions-setback-733614.html Permira hatching fresh bid for WH Smith after pensions set back]</ref> The Company reacted to this by disposing of its overseas subsidiaries<ref name=overseas>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3652039.stm WH Smith sells Australian business]</ref> and its publishing business [[Hodder Headline]], in order to concentrate on reforming its core businesses.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/wh-smith-sells-hodder-headline-to-french-rival-555290.html WH Smith sells Hodder Headline to French rival]</ref>


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In April 2011 WHSmith agreed a deal with the legal services provider [[QualitySolicitors]] under which QualitySolicitors is to 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 WHSmith branches|accessdate=3 May 2012|publisher=The Lawyer|date=7 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://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|accessdate=3 May 2012|publisher=The New York Times|date=28 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/qualitysolicitors-whsmith-tie|title=QualitySolicitors in WHSmith tie-up|accessdate=3 May 2012|publisher=Law Society Gazette|date=7 April 2011}}</ref>
In April 2011 WHSmith agreed a deal with the legal services provider [[QualitySolicitors]] under which QualitySolicitors is to 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 WHSmith branches|accessdate=3 May 2012|publisher=The Lawyer|date=7 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://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|accessdate=3 May 2012|publisher=The New York Times|date=28 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/qualitysolicitors-whsmith-tie|title=QualitySolicitors in WHSmith tie-up|accessdate=3 May 2012|publisher=Law Society Gazette|date=7 April 2011}}</ref>

==Television==
==Television==
⚫
[[File:Whsmith hq swindon.jpg|thumb|W H Smith's HQ building in [[Swindon]]]]
In 1982, W H Smith bought a significant minority stake in the [[ITV]] company [[Yorkshire Television]], following changes in the latter's share structure and ownership.
In 1982, W H Smith bought a significant minority stake in the [[ITV]] company [[Yorkshire Television]], following changes in the latter's share structure and ownership.


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==Operations==
==Operations==
===UK & Ireland===
===UK & Ireland===
[[File:The old Lion and Lamb Public House, High Street, Brentwood. - geograph.org.uk - 50636.jpg|thumb|High Street, [[Brentwood]] branch]]
⚫
[[File:WH Smith.JPG|thumb|right|The entrance to a small WH Smith store at [[York railway station]]]]
⚫
[[File:WH Smith, Leeds City Centre.jpg|thumb|right|A larger WH Smith in [[Leeds]].]]
In recent years the establishment of a significant retail presence in [[Northern Ireland]] (from December 2001), and Scotland (former [[John Menzies]] stores) has seen the chain spread UK-wide. In Northern Ireland there is only one W H Smith High Street store, located in Belfast City centre with three travel locations at [[Belfast City Airport]], [[Belfast International Airport]] and the other at [[City of Derry Airport]] which opened on 9 September 2010. However the Belfast city centre shop was taken over by [[Eason & Son]] in October 2011.<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/jobs-at-risk-as-eason-opens-new-chapter-in-rival-store-16069381.html Jobs at risk as Eason opens new chapter in rival store]</ref> In recent years the company has also focused on opening large out-of-town branches at retail parks.
In recent years the establishment of a significant retail presence in [[Northern Ireland]] (from December 2001), and Scotland (former [[John Menzies]] stores) has seen the chain spread UK-wide. In Northern Ireland there is only one W H Smith High Street store, located in Belfast City centre with three travel locations at [[Belfast City Airport]], [[Belfast International Airport]] and the other at [[City of Derry Airport]] which opened on 9 September 2010. However the Belfast city centre shop was taken over by [[Eason & Son]] in October 2011.<ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/jobs-at-risk-as-eason-opens-new-chapter-in-rival-store-16069381.html Jobs at risk as Eason opens new chapter in rival store]</ref> In recent years the company has also focused on opening large out-of-town branches at retail parks.


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====Inclusion of post offices (High Street)====
====Inclusion of post offices (High Street)====
⚫
[[File:WH Smith Hounslow.JPG|thumb|right|The W H Smith branch in [[Hounslow]], which plays host to a branch of the Post Office]]
On 18 April 2007, the [[Post Office Ltd.|Post Office]] announced that 70 of its branches nationwide are to move into W H Smith stores by autumn 2008.<ref>''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6570653.stm In-store post offices at WH Smith]'' &mdash; [[BBC News]], 19 April 2007.</ref> The Post Office says all its services will continue to be available at W H Smith.
On 18 April 2007, the [[Post Office Ltd.|Post Office]] announced that 70 of its branches nationwide are to move into W H Smith stores by autumn 2008.<ref>''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6570653.stm In-store post offices at WH Smith]'' &mdash; [[BBC News]], 19 April 2007.</ref> The Post Office says all its services will continue to be available at W H Smith.


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===International===
===International===
[[File:Stansted Airport Shops - geograph.org.uk - 1135179.jpg|thumb|[[Stanstead Airport]] branch]]
W H Smith has also engaged in business outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
W H Smith has also engaged in business outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.


Canadian operations began in 1950 and continued until 1989, when they were sold to domestic owners and renamed SmithBooks. SmithBooks later merged with [[Coles (bookstore)|Coles]], forming [[Chapters]], which retained the Coles and SmithBooks names and locations while also opening new namesake [[big-box]] stores. Many SmithBooks locations were eventually closed or converted to Coles; a few locations still retain the name as of 2008. (All three banners are now operated by [[Indigo Books and Music]].)
Canadian operations began in 1950 and continued until 1989, when they were sold to domestic owners and renamed SmithBooks. SmithBooks later merged with [[Coles (bookstore)|Coles]], forming [[Chapters]], which retained the Coles and SmithBooks names and locations while also opening new namesake [[big-box]] stores. Many SmithBooks locations were eventually closed or converted to Coles; a few locations still retain the name as of 2008. (All three banners are now operated by [[Indigo Books and Music]].)

[[File:W H Smith exterior.JPG|thumb|right|This W H Smith Store in [[Southampton]] is a typical W H Smith high street exterior.]]
W H Smith operated stores in the United States from 1985 until 2003, primarily in airports. The company acquired Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries in 2001 which were subsequently disposed of, along with those in the [[Hong Kong International Airport]] (now as [[Page One (bookstore)|Page One]]) and in [[Singapore]], in 2004.<ref name=overseas/>
W H Smith operated stores in the United States from 1985 until 2003, primarily in airports. The company acquired Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries in 2001 which were subsequently disposed of, along with those in the [[Hong Kong International Airport]] (now as [[Page One (bookstore)|Page One]]) and in [[Singapore]], in 2004.<ref name=overseas/>
In September 2003, it sold its chain of 180 airport stores in the USA for £41m to the [[Hudson Group]] and 280 of its USA hotel stores were sold for £8m.
In September 2003, it sold its chain of 180 airport stores in the USA for £41m to the [[Hudson Group]] and 280 of its USA hotel stores were sold for £8m.
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In October 2012, WHSmith faced backlash from shooters, after the sale of shooting magazines to children under 14 was banned, despite the fact that 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>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9606557/WH-Smith-bans-children-from-buying-shooting-magazines.html</ref> <ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9630068/Team-GB-shooting-coach-hits-out-at-WH-Smith-magazine-ban.html</ref> <ref>http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/whsmiths-retract-policy-on-sale-of-shooting-magazines</ref> <ref>http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/key_issues.cfm/cid/C21BBE99-3B1D-4002-93C55619A5B7EFEB</ref>
In October 2012, WHSmith faced backlash from shooters, after the sale of shooting magazines to children under 14 was banned, despite the fact that 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>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9606557/WH-Smith-bans-children-from-buying-shooting-magazines.html</ref> <ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9630068/Team-GB-shooting-coach-hits-out-at-WH-Smith-magazine-ban.html</ref> <ref>http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/whsmiths-retract-policy-on-sale-of-shooting-magazines</ref> <ref>http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/key_issues.cfm/cid/C21BBE99-3B1D-4002-93C55619A5B7EFEB</ref>


==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:W H Smith exterior.JPG|[[Southampton]] branch
⚫
File:WH Smith, Leeds City Centre.jpg| Lands Lane, [[Leeds]]
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File:WH Smith.JPG|[[York railway station]], [[York]]
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File:WH Smith Hounslow.JPG|[[Hounslow]] branch, with a Post Office
⚫
File:W H Smith in Glasgow Central Station.JPG|[[Glasgow Central Station]], [[Glasgow]]
⚫
File:WH Smith, Pontefract.jpg|[[Pontefract]] branch
File:W H Smith - Godwin Street - geograph.org.uk - 1544975.jpg|Godwin St, [[Bradford]]
File:W H Smith, Galashiels - geograph.org.uk - 596480.jpg|[[Galashiels]] branch
File:W.H Smith, 101 High Street, Dorking RH4 1AL...looking North West - geograph.org.uk - 104531.jpg|High St, [[Dorking]]
File:WH Smith in North Street - geograph.org.uk - 1559163.jpg|North St, [[Chichester]]
File:Gillingham Post Office, WH Smith - geograph.org.uk - 667788.jpg| Green St, [[Gillingham]]
File:Part of Guildhall Square, Carmarthen - geograph.org.uk - 1171644.jpg| Guildhall Square, [[Carmarthen]]

</gallery>
</center>
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

Revision as of 22:18, 20 January 2013

WHSmith PLC
Company typePublic limited company
LSE: SMWH
IndustryRetail
Founded1792 (London)
HeadquartersSwindon, United Kingdom
Key people
Walker Boyd (Chairman)
Kate Swann (CEO)
Revenue£1,243 million (2012)[1]
£102 million (2012)[1]
£84 million (2012)[1]
Number of employees
16,858 (2010)
Websitewww.whsmithplc.co.uk
For other people named William H. Smith, see William H. Smith (disambiguation).

WHSmith plc (known colloquially as Smith's) is a British retailer, headquartered in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. It is best known for its chain of high street, railway station, airport, hospital and motorway service station shops selling books, stationery, magazines, newspapers, and entertainment products. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. It has been innovative over the course of its history, being the first chain store company in the world and was responsible for the creation of the ISBN book catalogue system.

History

W H Smith signage displaying the modern blue and white design

Formation

In 1792, Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna established the business as a news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London.[2] After their deaths, the business — valued in 1812 at £1,280 —(about ~72185 in 2012, adjusted by inflation) was taken over by their youngest son William Henry Smith, and in 1846 the firm became W H Smith & Son when his only son, also William Henry, became a partner.[3] The firm took advantage of the railway boom by opening newsstands on railway stations, starting with Euston in 1848.[3] In 1850 the firm opened depots in Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.[3] The younger W H Smith used the success of the firm as a springboard into politics, becoming an MP in 1868[3] and serving as a minister in several Conservative governments.[3]

After the death of W H Smith the younger, his widow was created Viscountess Hambleden in her own right;[3] their son inherited the business from his father and the Viscountcy 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.[4] On the death of the third Viscount in 1948, the death duties were so severe that a public holding company had to be formed and shares sold to W H Smith staff and the public.[4] 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.[5]

WH Smith is buried in Kensal Green cemetery in London, one of the Magnificent Seven. Uniquely his grave is owned and maintained by the WH Smith company and not the cemetery itself.

ISBN catalogue invention

W H Smith's HQ building in Swindon

In 1966, W H Smith originated a 9-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.

1970s expansion

From the 1970s, W H Smith began to expand into other areas of retail. W H Smith Travel operated from 1973[4] to 1991, The Do It All chain of DIY stores started with a 1979 acquisition,[4] became a joint venture with Boots in 1990[5] and its share was sold in June 1996 to Boots.[5] The bookshop chain Waterstone's, founded by former W H Smith executive Tim Waterstone in 1982, was bought in 1989[4] and sold in 1998.[5]

Ownership of music retailers

WH Smith logo until the early 1990s, featuring the then-familiar cube of letters.

In 1986, W H Smith bought a 75% controlling share of the Our Price music chain;[4] in the 1990s it also bought other music retailers including the Virgin Group's smaller (non-Megastore) shops. The 75% share of Virgin Our Price was sold to Virgin Retail Group Ltd in July 1998 for £145m.[5]

Takeover of John Menzies

In March 1998, the company acquired John Menzies' retail outlets for £68m, which for many years were the main rival to the company's railway-station outlets. This purchase also cleared the way for W H Smith's retail expansion into Scotland. Prior to the takeover, Menzies' larger Scottish stores (carrying a very similar range of products to High Street W H Smith stores elsewhere) dominated the market, and the latter's presence was minimal.[6]

Horsted Keynes branch

Recent developments

For several years, the company's retail side 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 the Permira group, which fell through.[7] The Company reacted to this by disposing of its overseas subsidiaries[8] and its publishing business Hodder Headline, in order to concentrate on reforming its core businesses.[9]

In 2006, the company decided to demerge the retail and news distribution arms of the business into two separate companies: W H Smith plc (retail) and Smiths News plc (newspaper and magazine distribution): the demerger took effect on 30 August 2006.[10]

On 7 September 2010, WH Smith bought The Gadget Shop from The Entertainer (Amersham) Ltd.[11]

In April 2011 WHSmith agreed a deal with the legal services provider QualitySolicitors under which QualitySolicitors is to place representatives in up to 500 of its UK branches.[12][13][14]

Television

In 1982, W H Smith bought a significant minority stake in the ITV company Yorkshire Television, following changes in the latter's share structure and ownership.

It also founded two of the UK's earliest cable television channels, Lifestyle and Screensport through its WHSTV division, which were carried on almost every cable system in the UK and Ireland prior to the start of Sky Television.[4] Both channels moved to the Astra 1A satellite used by Sky in 1989 and later floundered due to the increased cable competition. Screensport merged with Eurosport at its relaunch as part of the TF1 Group, a group, formed after TF1 was privatised in 1987, and Lifestyle was closed down.

Their current television advertising campaign features well known TV personalities doing voice overs for products on sale. The Ads strap line is "Think (e.g. books) ... Think WH Smith".

Operations

UK & Ireland

High Street, Brentwood branch

In recent years the establishment of a significant retail presence in Northern Ireland (from December 2001), and Scotland (former John Menzies stores) has seen the chain spread UK-wide. In Northern Ireland there is only one W H Smith High Street store, located in Belfast City centre with three travel locations at Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport and the other at City of Derry Airport which opened on 9 September 2010. However the Belfast city centre shop was taken over by Eason & Son in October 2011.[15] In recent years the company has also focused on opening large out-of-town branches at retail parks.

In 2009, W H Smith opened two stores in Shannon Airport, County Clare, Republic of Ireland. A further three stores are operated in Dublin Airport's Terminal Two, which opened in November 2010. The chain's promise when winning the contract to operate the three stores, to hire a full-time Irish book buyer was fulfilled by employing an Australian, who will be based in London and not in Dublin, drew adverse criticism.[16] On 7 November 2011 WH Smith opened its first high street store in the Republic Of Ireland in Arnotts Dublin. It currently has around 580 High Street Shops and 400 Travel units. WH Smith has announced plans to open 3 units under the 'Funky Pigeon' Brand.

Inclusion of post offices (High Street)

On 18 April 2007, the Post Office announced that 70 of its branches nationwide are to move into W H Smith stores by autumn 2008.[17] The Post Office says all its services will continue to be available at W H Smith.

Motorway service stations (Travel)

In November 2006, Moto announced that all of its fifty service stations would have W H Smith newsagents. This was followed by 33 Welcome Break service stations in May 2007 and 29 RoadChef service stations in March 2008.

Hospital stores (Travel)

On 19 March 2008, WH Smith announced the takeover of United News, a Yorkshire-based chain of newsagents.[18]

International

Stanstead Airport branch

W H Smith has also engaged in business outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Canadian operations began in 1950 and continued until 1989, when they were sold to domestic owners and renamed SmithBooks. SmithBooks later merged with Coles, forming Chapters, which retained the Coles and SmithBooks names and locations while also opening new namesake big-box stores. Many SmithBooks locations were eventually closed or converted to Coles; a few locations still retain the name as of 2008. (All three banners are now operated by Indigo Books and Music.)

W H Smith operated stores in the United States from 1985 until 2003, primarily in airports. The company acquired Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries in 2001 which were subsequently disposed of, along with those in the Hong Kong International Airport (now as Page One) and in Singapore, in 2004.[8] In September 2003, it sold its chain of 180 airport stores in the USA for £41m to the Hudson Group and 280 of its USA hotel stores were sold for £8m.

WH Smith reopened its Australian operation in March 2011 following the collapse of A&R/Borders who held the naming rights in Australia. The first new store was opened at Melbourne International Airport, International Departures Terminal with the second, third and fourth location now open at Southern Cross Station in downtown Melbourne, as well as a 5th store which has opened in the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre [19]

WH Smith has opened stores across the major airports in India.

The company retains one shop in the centre of Paris, France. In October 2008, W H Smith, together with SSP, opened five branches within Copenhagen Airport[20] and in April 2009 opened a branch in Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.[21]

Awards and prizes

W H Smith is the sponsor of the WH Smith Literary Award, which has been running since 1959 and is one of the most wide-ranging of literary prizes, admitting works of all genres from authors of all ages and both sexes from across the world. W H Smith also sponsors the W H Smith Children's Book of the Year prize, which is part of the British Book Awards. In recent years it also ran the People's Choice Book Awards, though these were discontinued as the group slimmed down. The W H Smith Illustration Awards were awarded between 1987 and 1994.

Controversies

On 19 June 2009, WH Smith apologised after promoting a book on cellar rapist Josef Fritzl as one of the "Top 50 Books for Dad" as a Father's Day gift.[22][23]

In October 2012, WHSmith faced backlash from shooters, after the sale of shooting magazines to children under 14 was banned, despite the fact that 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.[24] [25] [26] [27]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ a b c Preliminary Results 2012
  2. ^ WH Smith: History 1792-1900
  3. ^ a b c d e f "The First WH Smith Railway Bookstall - Research and Read Books, Journals, Articles at Questia Online Library". Questia.com. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/about_whsmith/history_of_whsmith/ WH Smith: History 1901-1989]
  5. ^ a b c d e WH Smith: History 1990 – present
  6. ^ John Menzies gets takeover all clear
  7. ^ Permira hatching fresh bid for WH Smith after pensions set back
  8. ^ a b WH Smith sells Australian business
  9. ^ WH Smith sells Hodder Headline to French rival
  10. ^ WH Smith unveils separation plan
  11. ^ WH Smith buys Gadget Shop Retail Week, 7 September 2010
  12. ^ "QualitySolicitors to put desks in 500 WHSmith branches". The Lawyer. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  13. ^ "Selling Pieces of Law Firms to Investors". The New York Times. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  14. ^ "QualitySolicitors in WHSmith tie-up". Law Society Gazette. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  15. ^ Jobs at risk as Eason opens new chapter in rival store
  16. ^ Sudoku (5 August 2010). "W H Smith's 'Irish' book buyer for Terminal 2 stores is Australian - Irish, Business". Independent.ie. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  17. ^ In-store post offices at WH Smith — BBC News, 19 April 2007.
  18. ^ Yorkshire hospital shops chain bought by WH Smith
  19. ^ WH Smith touches down in Australia Inside Retailing
  20. ^ Williams Fannin, Clare (1 December 2008). "SSP and WHSmith open first of five news shops at Copenhagen" (PDF). SSP. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  21. ^ Englund, Raine (1 April 2009). "The first WHSmith in Sweden opens at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport" (PDF). SSP. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  22. ^ Amar Singh WHSmith sorry for Josef Fritzl Father's Day promotion 19 June 2009
  23. ^ Stina Backer Fritzl: a perfect gift for Father's Day, say Tesco and WH Smith The Independent 20 June 2009
  24. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9606557/WH-Smith-bans-children-from-buying-shooting-magazines.html
  25. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9630068/Team-GB-shooting-coach-hits-out-at-WH-Smith-magazine-ban.html
  26. ^ http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/whsmiths-retract-policy-on-sale-of-shooting-magazines
  27. ^ http://www.basc.org.uk/en/media/key_issues.cfm/cid/C21BBE99-3B1D-4002-93C55619A5B7EFEB

External links

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