WH Smith acquires Blue Star airport retail operations

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UK bookstore giant WH Smith announced this week it has acquired the Blue Star Consumer Retailing Group for NZ$126m ($53m), an operation which includes airport retail locations throughout Australian and New Zealand airports.

Blue Star is the leading bookseller in Australia and New Zealand with 184 stores trading as Whitcoulls in New Zealand and Angus & Robertson in Australia. WH Smith already has five outlets at Sydney International airport and one downtown.

WH Smith Group chief executive Richard Handover commented: "We have identified international retail expansion as a growth opportunity. Our strategy is to focus on three key areas: travel locations, English language bookshops and high street locations in English-speaking territories. As a book retailer in both high street and travel locations, Blue Star is an excellent fit."