History & Heritage
Established in 1792, WHSmith’s first store was opened by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna in Little Grosvenor Street, London. A few decades later, WHSmith opened the first ever travel retail store in London’s Euston station in 1848. Now celebrating over 230 years in business, WHSmith is a leading global retailer in news, books and convenience with more than 1,700 stores in over 30 countries.
1973
The iconic WHSmith brown and orange identity is developed.
1966
WHSmith creates the ISBN book identifier.
1949
WHSmith becomes a public company.
1939
More than 5,000 men and women from WHSmith join the forces for World War II.
1914
World War I sees more than 4,000 WHSmith employees serving their country. The new Head Office, Strand House in Portugal Street, is used as the Postal Censor’s office until 1920.
1903
The first overseas store opens in Paris on the prestigious Rue de Rivoli.
1895
A Pension Fund for manual workers is introduced.
1894
A superannuation Fund for clerical workers is founded.
1854
WHSmith & Son, now recognised as the principal newspaper distributor in the country, acquire wholesale distribution warehouses in Dublin, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. A substantial network of newspaper distribution is established across the country.
1848
WHSmith opens its first bookstall at Euston on 1 November. Other station bookstalls follow taking advantage of 'railway mania' in England. These bookstalls become outlets for cheap editions of publications produced for railway travellers, the popular 'yellowbacks'.