W H SMITHS - what's that all about?

[Febrier]

It's a shadow of its former self. It used to be a classy place to go for top quality books, especially of the Christmas present or school award variety. Also, posh stationery.
Now it's just cluttered with cheap toys and discounted Cadburys. (Are they still doing that hard sell at the till?). Customers skim the surface of the shop for ten- a scratch card but none penetrate the dark inners of the store.

How is it surviving? It's ripe for a Sold Its Soul To The Devil conspiracy theory.

@user1497207191

As for WHS "struggling", their High Street division made a profit of £19m last year with turnover up 4%, doesn't sound "struggling" to me.

They made 19 Million in profit, but won't turn on their lights or replace worn out carpet.

maybe I should stockpile a lifetime supply, ie one spare pad?!

Ha!

They made 19 Million in profit, but won't turn on their lights or replace worn out carpet.

Or employ cleaners or more than two teens on a shift.

I only go in one because an elderly relative sends us gift vouchers.

They made 19 Million in profit, but won't turn on their lights or replace worn out carpet.

Maybe that's why they made so much profit. Maybe other businesses could emulate their cockroach abilities of survival if they just did away with non essentials like lighting, basic refurbishment, cleaners and more than 2 staff members.

It’s all them Terrys chocolate oranges at the till.

Our local one is closing too, it's gradually had less and less stock, the shelving moved around so it's just huge areas of space.
Problem is that the post office moved in a few years back so hopefully they will relocate again rather than not being in the town centre.

I’m sensing @user1497207191 has shares and has swallowed the Annual Report’s positivity a little too much