WH Smith looks to expand in Australia

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UK travel retailer and newspaper and book retailer WH Smith announced it plans to open 12 stores in Australia over the next two years with the likelihood of a further roll-out nationwide.

WH Smith established a toe-hold in Australia with a store at Sydney International airport but is now looking to establish itself within Australia's key tourist and shopping centres. The first pilot stores will open next month in Parramatta and Hornsby, both in Sydney.

In airports WH Smith will compete head to head with French group Hachette Distribution Services which owns a strategic stake in the Newslink chain.

WH Smith Asia Pacific chief executive Mike Ferrand said he believes there is potential for growth in the Australian market. "The WH Smith brand and the Angus & Robertson [bookstore] brand serve different needs in the consumer market and we are confident we can grow both businesses," Ferrand said. "We intend to grow the total market through this strategy."

In the past three or four years WHSmith has expanded its airport and downtown stores in New Zealand and has stores at Hong Kong and Singapore Changi airports.