WHSmith 'could close half of its 500 high street stores' if it gets snapped up by new owner At least half of WHSmith’s 500 high street stores could be closed for good if the struggling chain is snapped up by a new owner, according to industry experts.
One source said closing Post Offices would be a PR disaster for the new owners, and warned: ”The British public would go berserk.” Around 200 WHSmith stores contain a large Post Office.
The books and stationery retailer has confirmed it is "exploring potential strategic options for this profitable and cash-generative part of the group, including a possible sale" which could see it sell off its high street stores.
It comes after WHSmith ruled out opening any more new UK high street stores in an update in June 2023.
WHSmith said last year: “As we grow travel, the high street division will become a smaller part of the overall group.
