Iconic British retailer WHSmith has announced its intention to sell all 500 UK high street stores and focus on the more profitable travel sector.
The company, renowned for its selection of stationery, books, and gifts, also disclosed plans to close 17 high-street shops this year.
It has sparked widespread speculation about the future of the remaining 195 high street locations, which include Post Office branches.
News of the closures come just days after locals in Bournemouth bid farewell to a town centre branch on Old Christchurch Road on January 18.
A second site in the seaside destination will pull down the shutters one last time on February 15, around the same time three other WHSmith sites cease trading across the UK.
The high street brand revealed that 17 sites will close by the end of May 2025, including two that closed earlier this month. One of them is in Orpington, South London, which has yet to receive a closing date.
WHSmith stores closing in 2025
January
- Bournemouth, Dorset
- Luton, Bedfordshire
February
- Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Bournemouth (Winton), Dorset
- Rhyl, Denbighshire
- Bolton, Greater Manchester
March
April
- Halstead, Essex
- Halesowen, West Midlands
- Diss, Norfolk
- Newport, South Wales
- Haverhill, Suffolk
May
- Stockton, County Durham
- Oldham, Greater Manchester
Meanwhile, WHSmith’s travel outlets, commonly located in train stations, airports, and hospitals, have seen a boost from the uptick in consumer travel, according to the company.
“The transformation of our UK travel business from a news, books and convenience retailer to a one-stop-shop for travel essentials is progressing very well,” said a spokesperson last year.
The esteemed 233-year-old retailer attributes 85% of its profit to its international travel operations, which span 32 countries, including India, North America, and Australia.
But high street closures spell more than just bad news for consumers. The Communication Workers Union, representing Post Office staff in WHSmith shops, has voiced concerns to the BBC about potential store closures, labelling them “devastating”.
The union highlighted ongoing discussions with the retailer regarding the future of their high-street outlets. It said: “For far too long, certain communities are being turned into postal deserts, and bad economic decisions are eroding high streets up and down the country.”
Following the January 26 announcement of a possible sale, a WHSmith spokesperson confirmed: “WHSmith confirms that it is exploring potential strategic options for this profitable and cash-generative part of the group, including a possible sale.”
They added, “There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate.”
