They opened a big store in Budapest Airport in front of the duty-free shop.
According to Világgazdaság, WHSmith, a glamorous British retail chain, opened its first shop at Budapest Airport. Based on a post by Budflyer, the new shop is located on the departure side of Budapest Airport’s Terminal 2B. It is in front of the duty-free shop.
Based on the post, the chain offers a wide range of products from newspapers to books, electronic devices, foods, and drinks.
According to Világgazdaság, WHSmith tends to open shops at airports. However, its network is more extended than the ordinary duty-free shops at the airgates.
The chain was founded in 1792 as a family-owned newspaper seller. Later, it became a global network and the world’s first retail chain. Last year, they celebrated their 231st anniversary.
They have more than 600 shops in the United Kingdom, mostly in the downtowns and main shopping streets, malls. An additional 800 shops are at airports, train stations, hospitals and near motorways.
It is present in Australia, Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East in 32 countries. Its portfolio includes 120 airports. They pay special attention to selling local products in the different countries.
Their first shop at the Budapest Airport opened three weeks ago.
In a LinkedIn post, they wrote that their newest store is 1,200 sqm. They added that they planned to open more than 100 news shops in 2024, but did not share any details about a possible expansion in Hungary. WH Smith Hungary, the company’s Hungarian subsidiary, was registered in Hungary in summer 2023.
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“Classy British Chain”? – you’ve got to be joking!
W H Smith is definitely an old long-established chain of retail stores – but they are the most cluttered, disorganised and tat-selling stores on the British high street.
Long queues, cheap tat items, over-promotion of all things ‘sugar’ – and untidy stores that you will not believe – all the while selling things above the average high-street prices.
I have long ceased to be a customer – and remember feeling relieved on leaving.
The same feeling on leaving an ‘ABC’ store in Hungary – with admittedly less-rude staff. Yes really!
A crap shop for a crap airport. Well deserved.
Classy ? Hahahahahahahhhhaaaa.
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NOPE !
“Classy” “Glamorous”
WHSmith? Comedy gold.
‘Classy,Glamarous chain’ ?? That is a joke.
Mario-half correct,crap chain shop,but the airport is pretty good,despite having UK management.
@Ricsi? “… airport is pretty good – despite having UK management “???
What, Budapest airport under UK management? The article is about Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport!
I believe the French actually run it – but this might change when they manage to sell it. (This is the second time that Orban’s manipulations have tried to buy (or steal) it on the cheap).
Ricsi – which planet are you visiting from?
Classy?? Glamorous??
Utterly absurd words to use in connection with WH Smith. The name is a byword for the failure of ‘high street’ retail in the UK in recent years, to be frank it’s a miracle the company still exists. Most high streets had a ‘Smiths’ and it was the default newsagent, often with a large book and stationary selection, unfortunately they neglected their real estate and the shops became depressing places you’d avoid if you had a chance. Relay is the French equivalent and their stores are much more pleasant and offer a better selection of press compared to the few ‘Smiths’ stores that remain in the UK.
WH Smith has found a niche selling bottles of water, ‘meal deals’ and the odd newspaper at airports and stations, as they can no longer make money on UK high streets. The opening of the Budapest airport shop is solely driven (in my view) by brand recognition amongst UK holidaymakers who’ll walk in to buy water and meal deals prior to their flight back to the UK almost as if they’re on autopilot. It can work in 2B non-Schengen departures for this reason, it would be devoid of customers if it were sited in the 2A Schengen area.