WH Smith Opens First Café at Princess Anne Hospital
- WH Smith has opened its first café, Smith's Kitchen, at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton.
- The café offers both takeaway and eat-in options and will expand to other hospitals in the future.
- This move aims to cater to the food-to-go market and provide convenience for hospital visitors.
In a significant shift from its traditional retail model, WH Smith has opened its inaugural café, Smith’s Kitchen, at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton. This marks a new chapter for the 232-year-old company, which has primarily been known for selling books, magazines, and stationery. The café, which accommodates 26 patrons in a 495 square foot space, offers both takeaway and dine-in options, signaling WH Smith's intent to diversify its services. The launch of Smith’s Kitchen comes on the heels of WH Smith's introduction of a new own-brand food range, which includes 30 products such as sandwiches. This strategic move aims to cater to the evolving preferences of customers who increasingly prioritize quality food and drink options, especially in locations like hospitals and travel hubs. Andrew Harrison, WH Smith’s UK travel managing director, emphasized the importance of providing quality food and drink to meet customer expectations. He noted that feedback from customers has been instrumental in shaping this new direction for the company, highlighting the need for enhanced dining experiences in their retail environments. The company plans to expand the café concept to other hospitals, indicating a broader strategy to enhance its presence in the food and beverage sector. This initiative reflects WH Smith's commitment to adapting to changing consumer demands while maintaining its core retail identity.