WHSmith Local franchise

Travelers’ who are always on the move are always looking for ways to occupy their time away. Whether in the airport while waiting for their flight or in the plane itself, they have very little time to browse and would rather purchase food, drinks, and read materials inside. This is where WHSmith Local comes in. As the UK’s most popular bookseller, stationer, and news agent, we want to build on that position. We are aiming to become the top retailer in convenience, books, and news for the world’s travelling customers. To achieve this goal, we are opening our doors to new franchisees. 

We need individuals who can help us improve our profitability and cash flow generation. By being our franchisee, you will be working with a company that offers excellent cost of goods that will generate increased sales and margin your business. As a franchisee, you can have access to exclusive products. In addition, you can look forward to a streamlined sourcing and access to our wide range of products. You will also be benefiting from our proven store layouts as well as the privilege of carrying the brand name.

WHSmith Local is still a young company and you can have an opportunity to be part of our growth and discover new opportunities to build up your own brand. 

As a WHSmith franchisee, you will be entitled to receive the full support of the company. At the onset, you will be undergoing a Franchise Induction Training to fully prepare you for opening your store and a dedicated promotional program. We will assign a business development manager to assist you in managing your store, who will conduct regular business reviews for your store and implement sales and profit planning. As part of our support, we offer an EPOS system for order placement and sales analysis. With our support, you can look forward to an improved cost prices, margins, and profit. 

To be one of our franchisees, you need to show your willingness to partner with us in growing the business. You shall be subjected to credit checks and subsequently pass it. You should show a £250,000 store turnover or a potential to achieve the amount. The ideal candidate should own a space with a minimum of 500 sq. feet of retail spaced or 15 x 1m drops of space. An experience with convenience stores or show willingness to change is an advantage. Your store will be subjected to demographic assessment and distance from existing stores. 

In 1792, Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna put up a small news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street in London. When Henry died a few months later, Anna partnered with Zaccheus Coates until 1812. After her death in 1816, sons Henry Edward and William Henry Smith took over the family business. The name of the business was changed from HWSmith to WHSmith in 1828.