WH Smith will be opening eight new stores at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, where it currently operates two stores in Terminal 5. The new stores will "include the first WH Smith branded store in the world-class airport along with a number of bespoke store concepts, extending its leading travel essentials offer" to more passengers traveling through JFK, the company said.
In March, WH Smith sold its 480 high street--or main street--stores to Modella Capital in order to focus on its travel business, particularly its 1,200 stores in airports, hospitals, railroad stations, and elsewhere in 32 countries.
WH Smith North America "has been significantly expanding its presence across major U.S. East Coast airports... following a series of tender wins and new store openings," the company said, noting that in addition to a "pipeline of stores won and yet to open," WH Smith operates more than 50 stores on the East Coast, including at Newark and La Guardia airports in the New York area, and Ronald Reagan and Dulles International airports in Washington.
WH Smith CEO Carl Cowling said: "Our win in the iconic JFK airport demonstrates growing demand for our world-class travel essentials offer and why North America is our most exciting opportunity for growth."