Whsmith store closures have become one of the most discussed topics in the UK retail landscape, reflecting wider changes in consumer behaviour, high street economics, and the long-term transformation of one of Britain’s most recognisable retail brands. From once-dominant high street book and stationery shops to a business now increasingly focused on travel locations, WHSmith’s evolving store footprint tells a much bigger story about how retail works in 2025.
Understanding Whsmith Store Closures
What Are Whsmith Store Closures?
Whsmith store closures refer to the permanent shutdown of WHSmith retail outlets, most commonly on UK high streets and in shopping centres. These closures usually involve:
The end of trading at a specific physical location
Staff redundancies or relocations
Clearance sales to sell remaining stock
The removal of WHSmith signage and fixtures
It is important to understand that whsmith store closures do not mean the company itself is shutting down. Instead, they reflect a strategic decision to reduce or exit certain types of locations while expanding or maintaining others.
The Difference Between High Street and Travel Store Closures
One of the most misunderstood aspects of whsmith store closures is that they do not affect all types of WHSmith stores equally.
High street stores: These have seen the majority of closures, particularly in smaller towns or areas with declining footfall.
Travel stores: WHSmith outlets in airports, train stations, hospitals, and motorway service areas have largely remained open and, in many cases, expanded.
This distinction is crucial to understanding WHSmith’s business strategy and why closures are concentrated in specific areas.
A Brief History of WHSmith and Its Retail Evolution
Origins and Growth of WHSmith
WHSmith began in the late 18th century as a small family-run news business. Over time, it became synonymous with:
Books and magazines
Stationery and school supplies
Newspapers and greeting cards
For generations, WHSmith was a staple of the British high street, often occupying large, central locations.
The Golden Era of the High Street
During the 20th century, WHSmith thrived in a retail environment defined by:
Busy town centres
Limited competition from online retailers
Strong demand for physical books, magazines, and newspapers
At its peak, WHSmith operated hundreds of high street stores across the UK.
The Shift Toward Travel Retail
As consumer habits changed, WHSmith began investing more heavily in travel retail locations. These stores offered:
High footfall from commuters and travellers
Premium pricing opportunities
Lower reliance on discretionary shopping
This shift laid the groundwork for the wave of whsmith store closures seen in recent years.
Why Whsmith Store Closures Are Happening
Declining High Street Footfall
One of the biggest drivers behind whsmith store closures is the steady decline in high street foot traffic. Key factors include:
The rise of online shopping
Changes in work patterns, including remote and hybrid work
Reduced town centre visits for leisure shopping
Fewer visitors mean fewer impulse purchases, which historically formed a large part of WHSmith’s high street sales.
Rising Operational Costs
Running a physical retail store has become increasingly expensive. Costs affecting WHSmith include:
Rent and business rates
Energy bills
Staffing costs
Maintenance and refurbishment
For some locations, these costs outweigh the revenue generated, making closures a financial necessity.
Competition from Digital Media
WHSmith built much of its business on print media. However:
Newspapers and magazines have seen long-term declines in print circulation
E-books and audiobooks compete with physical book sales
Digital stationery tools reduce demand for traditional products
These trends have directly impacted the profitability of many WHSmith stores.
Strategic Focus on Higher-Margin Locations
WHSmith has increasingly focused on stores that offer:
Predictable footfall
Higher margins per customer
Less competition from online retailers
Travel locations meet these criteria, while many high street stores do not.
The Timeline of Whsmith Store Closures
Early Signs of Change
The first notable wave of whsmith store closures began in the mid-2010s. These early closures were often described as isolated or temporary, but they signalled a broader trend.
Acceleration During the Pandemic
The global pandemic accelerated existing challenges:
Lockdowns reduced high street footfall dramatically
Travel stores temporarily closed but later rebounded strongly
Online shopping adoption increased across all age groups
As a result, WHSmith reassessed its entire store portfolio.
Post-Pandemic Rationalisation
In the years following the pandemic, whsmith store closures became more systematic. Decisions were based on:
Long-term profitability forecasts
Lease renewal opportunities
Local economic conditions
By 2025, closures are widely viewed as part of a planned, ongoing strategy rather than a short-term response.
How Whsmith Store Closures Affect Local Communities
Impact on Town Centres
When a WHSmith store closes, the effects often extend beyond the brand itself:
Reduced footfall for neighbouring shops
Empty retail units that may remain vacant for long periods
A perception of decline in the local high street
In smaller towns, the loss of a familiar national retailer can be particularly significant.
Employment and Job Losses
Whsmith store closures often lead to:
Redundancies for store staff
Transfers to other locations where possible
Reduced employment opportunities in retail-heavy towns
While WHSmith sometimes redeploys staff, this is not always feasible.
Effects on Local Shoppers
For customers, closures can mean:
Loss of convenient access to books, stationery, and newspapers
Increased reliance on online shopping
Longer travel distances to the nearest remaining store
Older customers and those without easy internet access are often the most affected.
How Whsmith Store Closures Affect Employees
Redundancy Processes Explained
When a store closes, WHSmith typically follows a structured redundancy process that includes:
Formal consultation periods
Opportunities to apply for roles in nearby stores
Redundancy pay based on length of service
Understanding this process helps employees prepare and plan.
Transfer and Redeployment Opportunities
In some cases, staff may be offered roles in:
Nearby WHSmith stores
Travel locations, if suitable
Different roles within the company
However, travel store roles may require different working hours or skills.
Emotional and Career Impacts
Beyond financial concerns, whsmith store closures can affect employees emotionally:
Loss of long-term workplace communities
Uncertainty about future employment
Stress associated with career transitions
Support networks and retraining opportunities play a key role in helping staff adapt.
What Whsmith Store Closures Mean for Shoppers
Changes in Product Availability
As high street stores close, shoppers may notice:
Reduced access to niche magazines
Fewer physical book browsing opportunities
Less choice in stationery products locally
While online alternatives exist, they do not fully replace the in-store experience for everyone.
Pricing Differences Between Store Types
Travel stores often charge higher prices due to:
Captive audiences
Higher operating costs
Convenience-based pricing strategies
Shoppers accustomed to high street pricing may find this shift frustrating.
Adapting to the New Retail Landscape
Consumers increasingly adapt by:
Shopping online for books and stationery
Using supermarkets for basic stationery needs
Visiting independent bookshops where available
These changes reflect broader shifts beyond whsmith store closures alone.
Real-Life Examples of Whsmith Store Closures
Closure in a Small Market Town
In many market towns, the WHSmith store served as:
A primary newspaper outlet
A school supplies destination
A central retail anchor
When such a store closes, local residents often report a noticeable gap in the town centre’s retail offering.
Closure in a Shopping Centre
In larger shopping centres, whsmith store closures may have a more muted impact but still signal:
Changing tenant mixes
A move toward leisure and food-based retail
Reduced emphasis on traditional retail anchors
Transition to Online-Only Shopping
Some former WHSmith customers now rely entirely on:
Online book retailers
Digital magazine subscriptions
Office supply delivery services
This transition illustrates how consumer behaviour adapts in response to physical closures.
Step-by-Step: How Communities Can Respond to Whsmith Store Closures
Step 1: Assess the Local Impact
Communities can begin by understanding:
How many people used the store regularly
What products are now less accessible
Which groups are most affected
This assessment helps guide meaningful responses.
Step 2: Support Alternative Retailers
Local actions may include:
Supporting independent bookshops
Encouraging pop-up retailers to use vacant units
Promoting local stationery suppliers
These efforts can partially offset the loss.
Step 3: Repurpose Vacant Units
Empty WHSmith stores can be repurposed as:
Community hubs
Co-working spaces
Cultural or educational centres
Creative reuse can revitalise town centres.
Step 4: Engage with Local Authorities
Councils can play a role by:
Offering incentives for new tenants
Reducing business rates for small retailers
Supporting regeneration initiatives
Community advocacy often influences these decisions.
Practical Tips for Shoppers Affected by Whsmith Store Closures
Finding Alternatives for Books and Magazines
Shoppers can explore:
Independent bookshops
Library services
Subscription-based magazine services
Each option offers different benefits.
Saving Money in Travel Stores
If travel stores are your main option:
Compare prices before buying
Purchase essentials elsewhere when possible
Limit impulse buys
Awareness helps reduce overspending.
Staying Informed About Local Closures
To avoid surprises:
Monitor local news
Pay attention to clearance sales
Ask staff about future plans
Early awareness allows for better planning.
Practical Tips for Employees Facing Store Closures
Preparing for Consultation Meetings
Employees should:
Review their employment contracts
Understand redundancy rights
Prepare questions about redeployment
Preparation leads to more informed decisions.
Updating Skills and CVs
Closure periods can be used to:
Update CVs and references
Explore training opportunities
Research growing employment sectors
Proactive steps ease transitions.
Seeking Emotional and Professional Support
Support can come from:
Family and friends
Career advisors
Community employment services
No one should face job loss alone.
Recent Trends in Whsmith Store Closures as of 2025
Continued Focus on Travel Retail
By 2025, WHSmith’s growth strategy is clearly centred on:
Airports
Railway stations
Hospitals
These locations provide stable demand and higher margins.
Smaller, More Efficient Store Formats
Remaining stores increasingly feature:
Reduced floor space
Curated product ranges
Faster checkout systems
Efficiency is prioritised over variety.
Data-Driven Closure Decisions
Store closures are now guided by:
Detailed sales analytics
Footfall tracking
Local economic data
This reduces emotional or reactive decision-making.
Broader Implications for the UK High Street
What Whsmith Store Closures Signal About Retail
These closures highlight:
The decline of traditional large-format retail
The need for experiential shopping
The importance of adaptability
WHSmith is not alone in facing these pressures.
Lessons for Other Retailers
Other brands can learn from:
WHSmith’s pivot to profitable niches
The risks of over-reliance on legacy formats
The importance of strategic focus
Retail survival increasingly depends on flexibility.
Common Misconceptions About Whsmith Store Closures
Misconception: WHSmith Is Going Out of Business
In reality, WHSmith remains profitable overall, largely due to its travel division.
Misconception: All Stores Are Closing
Only specific high street locations are closing; many stores continue to trade successfully.
Misconception: Closures Are Temporary
Most whsmith store closures are permanent and part of long-term planning.
FAQs
Why are whsmith store closures mainly affecting high street locations?
High street stores face lower footfall, higher costs, and stronger online competition compared to travel locations, making them less profitable.
Are whsmith store closures expected to continue beyond 2025?
While exact numbers are uncertain, further rationalisation of high street stores is likely as the company focuses on efficiency and profitability.
Do whsmith store closures affect travel stores?
Generally no. Travel stores are a core growth area and have been largely unaffected by closures.
What happens to staff when a WHSmith store closes?
Staff may be offered redeployment, redundancy pay, or support during the transition, depending on circumstances and availability of roles.
How can shoppers adapt to whsmith store closures?
Shoppers can use online retailers, independent shops, libraries, and alternative suppliers to replace the services once provided by closed stores.
Final Thoughts
Whsmith store closures represent more than the loss of familiar shops; they reflect a fundamental transformation in how retail operates in the modern era. While closures can be disruptive for employees, shoppers, and communities, they are also part of a broader shift toward more sustainable and focused business models.
Understanding why these changes are happening, how they affect different groups, and what alternatives exist empowers individuals and communities to adapt thoughtfully. As the retail landscape continues to evolve beyond 2025, whsmith store closures will remain a key case study in resilience, adaptation, and the future of the British high street.
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