WHSmith has put all 500 high street stores up for sale, but has confirmed that 10 more will close before that happens having already announced the closure of 10 others earlier this year
Beleaguered high street giants WHSmith is set to close another 10 stores – after already shutting 10 so far this year. Earlier this year it was announced that all 500 high street stores owned by the brand had been put up for sale.
At the time of writing, private equity firms Alteri, which owns Bensons for Beds, and Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital were said to currently be in talks to acquire the 500-store strong portfolio. Previously, the business had struggled with declining sales and customer numbers, making only £32m in profit for the year ending in August 2024.
Due to this, reports had suggested the brand will focus on its sites in airports as well as putting the portfolio up for sale. However, it seems as if some of the stores aren’t going to last much longer, with 10 set to close within weeks.
Having already closed two branches in Dorset, and singular branches in Luton, Cambridgeshire, Basingstoke, Long Eaton, Newtown, Rhyl, Bolton and Accrington, another 10 are set to follow.
The stores closing are:
- Halstead, Essex – Closing in April
- Halesowen, West Midlands – Closing in April
- Diss, Norfolk – Closing in April
- Newport, Wales – Closing in April
- Haverhill, Suffolk – Closing on April 26
- Woolwich – Closing in April
- Stockton, County Durham – Closing in May
- Oldham, Greater Manchester – Closing in May
- West Mall, Frenchgate Centre Doncaster – Closing on May 31
- Orpington, Greater London – Closing date to be confirmed
While no update has been given on the current takeover status, a spokesman previously said: “There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate.”
It’s not all bad news for the high street, however, as health and beauty retailer Superdrug is set to open 30 new stores. Just days after fellow giants Screwfix and Waitrose announced their returns – and with a potential return of Topshop seemingly on the cards – Superdrug’s bosses have confirmed that they will be expanding their store portfolio throughout the UK.
Having seen a whopping 8% increase in customers coming through its doors in January, the parent company – AS Watson – seems to be looking to capitalise on the positive mood, with outgoing property director Nigel Duxbury stating that they want ton “elevate” the customer experience.
He said: “We want everyone who enters Superdrug to feel an elevated customer experience. For us, this is not about a quick and easy purchase, it is about engaging customers with added extras that truly enrich their everyday lives.
“We can see from our sales last year that investing in and increasing the number of large-format stores in our
estate allows us to accelerate our bricks-and-mortar strategy, so that we can bring the bigger and better shopping experience, that we know our customers love, to even more communities across the UK.”
The first of the new stores opened last month in Leeds Briggate, with more to follow in Guernsey and Cribbs Causeway, Bristol and Sheffield – although a full list has not yet been confirmed.
The brand will also be giving 65 pre-existing stores a makeover.
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