Speaking to the BBC, WHSmith’s CEO Carl Cowling said the newsagent had spent more than £100 million opening new stores in airports, and aimed to capture over 20% of the airport retail market over the next four years in the US and Europe.
WHSmith previously announced plans to open 110 new branches in airports, railway stations and hospitals, where profits were higher than in their high street stores.
There are some new stores opening as WHSmith moves away from the high street to instead focus around travel hubs, such as train stations and airports.
‘It’s no surprise that vinyl is growing in popularity again, and we are very excited to be bringing back record selections to more than 80 different stores across the UK for both seasoned fans and new listeners alike,’ she added.
The stationary retailer also announced last year that 76 of its stores will stock Toys R Us products – an iconic toy shop that disappeared almost a decade ago.
