It was once a shining beacon of the British high street that served as a one-stop shop for stationery, newspapers, records and literature. But in recent years, WHSmith has tarnished the gleaming reputation it build up in the ss with its near-constant clearance sales and 'overpriced rubbish'. And now, after struggling to keep up with changing consumer habits for the past 15 years, the once beloved chain is at risk of disappearing from the UK entirely.
In a statement yesterday, the British retailer - which was founded in in London - confirmed that it is in talks to potentially sell its high street stores. The news hasn't been met with much surprise from former customers - who complained how their local stores, which were once famed for their carefully curated selection of upmarket stationery, have looked more like a 'dump' for many years. Overpriced and rubbish. It used to be amazing in the s.
Another added: 'I've not been in a WHSmith for years, ever since they've become more known for their rotten carpet patterns, rather than their ability to sell nicely priced stationery and a nice pen to match.
Here FEMAIL takes a look back at the glory days of the UK chain - from their '60s record roll-out to becoming the ultimate stationery destination in the s. At the height of its popularity, half the British population purchased their newspapers from WHSmith.
In the s, the quintessentially British chain was famed for its sleek interiors and state-of-the-art listening pods, which allowed customers to listen to records before buying them. Buoyed by this success, the business enjoyed a retail renaissance in the s when it came under new management - having always previously been a family-run company. In , the brothers founded their first newsstand in Euston station - and were named the UK's principal newspaper distributor two years later, leading them to open depots in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
