A major high street chain, WHSmith, has announced the closure of its third branch in less than a year in Winton, Bournemouth, Dorset. The stationery retailer, which has over 1,000 locations nationwide, confirmed that its Winton branch will be shutting its doors for good on February 15 next year. The closure comes after WHSmith closed its Boscombe branch in the same town in June, which had been serving customers for more than 12 years. The company has also hinted at the closure of a third Bournemouth store on Old Christchurch Road, set to close as soon as January. Residents of Bournemouth have expressed disappointment at the closures on social media.
The closure of WHSmith branches in Bournemouth is part of a larger trend of retailers shutting down stores due to a variety of factors. The rise of online shopping has led to falling store sales, making it more expensive for retailers to keep their doors open. Rising staff costs have also contributed to the financial pressure on retail stores. In some cases, retailers are choosing to shut down stores in less profitable locations and open new shops in higher footfall areas. The closure of big chain stores can have a domino effect on local high streets, with a decrease in footfall putting more shops at risk of closure.
Retail parks have become increasingly popular with shoppers due to the ease of access and free parking they offer. Many retailers, such as Next and Marks & Spencer, are choosing to close stores on the high street and open larger shops in retail parks to attract more customers. Some retailers have shut down stores due to financial difficulties or bankruptcy, leading to rival companies or private equity firms acquiring their intellectual property rights. These new owners may choose to open a few stores in profitable locations based on customer demand, but they are unlikely to have as many stores or be in the same areas as the original chain.
Despite the closure of multiple WHSmith stores in Bournemouth and other locations, the retailer has announced plans to open 15 new stores this year, with more to follow in the future. The company is focusing on expanding its travel stores in locations such as airports, railway stations, and hospitals, where sales are growing. WHSmith has stated that it will be moving away from high-street stores and has no plans to open any new ones. The closure of stores like WHSmith’s branches in Bournemouth illustrates the challenges faced by traditional retailers in the current retail environment, where online shopping and changing consumer preferences are reshaping the industry.
The closure of WHSmith’s Winton branch in Bournemouth has left customers and residents disappointed, with social media users expressing their sadness at another store closure in the area. The company has thanked its customers for their support and stated that it will be supporting its in-store colleagues affected by the closure. WHSmith’s decision to close multiple stores in Bournemouth and other locations reflects the broader trend of retailers adapting to the changing retail landscape. As more consumers turn to online shopping and retail parks for their shopping needs, traditional high street stores are facing increasing challenges and closures. Despite these challenges, WHSmith remains committed to expanding its presence in travel locations and maintaining its position in the retail market.
