WHSmith opens first café amid 300 shop closures in UK

WHSmith has recently opened its first café, named Smith's Kitchen, located inside the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton. This move comes despite the company closing over 300 stores across the UK this year, reflecting a significant shift in their business strategy. The café offers a variety of food and drink options, including coffee, tea, hot breakfasts, and pastries, catering to the needs of hospital visitors and staff. The decision to launch a café rather than a traditional retail store indicates WHSmith's response to changing consumer preferences, particularly the demand for quality food and drink in various locations. The café, which accommodates only 26 customers in a compact 495 square foot space, faces competition from established brands like Costa Coffee and Subway, which are also present in the hospital. Andrew Harrison, WHSmith's UK travel managing director, emphasized the importance of providing quality food and drink options to customers, whether they are in transit or visiting a hospital. This initiative aligns with the company's broader strategy to enhance its food offerings and innovate its business model. The opening of Smith's Kitchen follows the launch of WHSmith's own-brand food range, showcasing the company's commitment to adapting to market trends and consumer needs. As major retailers continue to close stores, WHSmith's café represents a new direction aimed at maintaining relevance and meeting customer expectations in a competitive landscape.