WH Smith has been around since 1792, first opening in a small store on Little Grosvenor Street, London. That makes it one of the oldest retailers in the entire world. But now, after more than two centuries of supplying stationery and selling all sorts of things, it could follow in the footsteps of BHS, Woolworths and Topshop and disappear from our high streets entirely.
Last week, WH Smith announced a string of store closures happening in 2025. Now it says it’s considering selling all 500 of its high street branches.
RECOMMENDED: All the UK high street closures confirmed in 2025, from WH Smith to Homebase.
Bosses at Smith’s have confirmed that they’re exploring ‘potential strategic options’, including a possible sale. According to Sky News, the brand has been in ‘secret talks’ with prospective buyers for the last few weeks, with investment banking company Greenhill put in charge of the sale.
And that’s pretty much everything we know at this stage. In a statement, WH Smith said: ‘There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate.’
WH Smith shops inside airports, train stations and hospitals are doing far better than their high street counterparts, so they’re safe. They account for a whopping 75 percent of the brand’s revenue and 85 percent of its profits and will remain under WH Smith’s ownership.
Sainsbury’s is closing all its in-store cafés and cutting 3,000 jobs: full list of closures.
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