A well-known retail chain with roots in the UK that go back more than 200 years is called WHSmith. Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna started the business as a news vendor in London in 1792. Since that time, WHSmith has grown into a varied retail company that provides a huge selection of goods and services.

Today, WHSmith runs more than 1,600 locations across the UK, including high street stores and travel hubs like train stations, airports, and service areas for motorways. Books, magazines, newspapers, stationery, greeting cards, gifts, toys, and other items like snacks and beverages are among the products offered by the company.

Being able to change with changing consumer demands and trends is one of WHSmith's key advantages. For the company to remain relevant in a retail environment that is rapidly changing, it has gone through a number of changes over the years. For instance, it has increased the range of digital content it offers by adding ebooks and audiobooks, as well as foraying into brand-new industries like travel and healthcare.

WHSmith runs several other businesses in addition to its retail operations. For instance, the business has a publishing division that creates books and magazines under different imprints, as well as a travel division that offers a variety of services to travelers like foreign exchange, travel insurance, and airport lounges.