WHSmith to close nine high street shops soon

WHSmith has announced the closure of its Doncaster store, set to shut down on May 31. This location, which has been part of the Frenchgate shopping center since it opened in 1968, is closing due to a lease expiry. The retailer expressed disappointment but noted that continuing operations at this site is no longer sustainable. The company is currently focusing on its travel stores in airports and train stations rather than its high street locations. Recently, it also closed its store in Accrington, Lancashire, and has shut several other locations across the UK, including in Bolton, Bournemouth, and Nottinghamshire. WHSmith plans to close nine more shops in the coming months. These closures will affect towns in Essex, the West Midlands, Norfolk, Newport, and Suffolk. The closures reflect the company’s strategy to move away from the struggling high street market. WHSmith operates over 1,100 stores in the UK, including approximately 520 on the high street. The retailer has been around since 1792 but is facing challenges in adapting to changing shopping habits. Rising costs and a shift toward online shopping are putting pressure on many high street retailers. In light of these struggles, two investment groups are considering acquiring WHSmith’s high street shops. However, the WHSmith brand name will not be included in any sale, meaning the stores may operate under new names in the future. The retail sector is experiencing significant challenges overall. Rising costs and economic pressures are expected to lead to further store closures and job losses in 2025. Experts predict that around 202,000 jobs could be lost next year, a figure that may surpass previous high-profile job losses during the pandemic.