Fri, 28 Mar 2025

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 WH Smith name to disappear from High Street after sale

The 233-year-old chain will become TGJones but the WH Smith brand will continue at airports and railway stations.

* WH Smith's High Street stores will be sold to Modella Capital, with 480 stores and 5,000 staff being taken over.
* The new owner will keep the Post Office outlets but rebrand the chain as TGJones.
* WH Smith's name is not being sold and will continue to be used at airport, railway station, and hospital outlets.
* Modella Capital specializes in retail and consumer businesses and has invested in Hobbycraft and other companies.
* Retail analysts expect the new owner to look closely at store performance and make changes to improve profitability.
* WH Smith's travel division is expected to focus on expanding internationally with over 1,200 stores in 32 countries.
* The sale of High Street stores is seen as a "pivotal moment" for the company, which will now focus exclusively on its travel-related business.
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