UK. WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen, a new store format for its UK travel retail business. This is the retailer’s inaugural own-brand café, featuring both dine-in and takeaway options.
The first Smith’s Kitchen officially opened today (15 August) at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton. The 26-seat, 495sq m café has been designed for hospital customers including NHS staff, patients and visitors.
The menu includes coffee sourced from a local roastery and hot breakfast choices, including patisserie baked in-store.
The café also offers the Smith’s Family Kitchen food range comprising over 30 products, from sandwiches and salads to baguettes and wraps.
According to WHSmith, the range has been developed based on feedback from 1,000+ customers. Since the range launched earlier this year, more than 420,000 of its popular BLT sandwiches have been sold.
WHSmith UK Travel Managing Director Andrew Harrison commented: “Whether it’s in a hospital or on their journeys, customers tell us that quality food and drink options are what they prioritise most in the different locations we serve.
“That’s why we have been doubling down on our food ranges and formats to ensure our customers don’t need to compromise on quality or value, as demonstrated today with the launch of Smith’s Kitchen.
“With the opening of our first ever own-brand café coming hot on the heels of our newly launched own-brand food range, this shows the pace of innovation across our business. WHSmith is committed to delivering quality experiences and products for our customers and partners.”
WHSmith operates 590 stores across the UK in airports, hospitals and railway stations. As passenger and visitor numbers increase, the business is focused on becoming a one-stop-shop for travel essentials.
According to the company, food-to-go and meal deals are one of the key reasons customers shop with WHSmith, with over 11 million meal deals created from 900,000+ product combinations sold by the retailer each year.
WHSmith’s hospital offer is one of the fastest-growing areas of its UK business, operating over 140 stores and franchises in hospitals across the country.
In the last eight weeks, the retailer has opened four new locations and sees potential to expand one of its formats into up to 200 more hospitals.
University Hospital Southampton Commercial & Enterprise Development Manager Matthew Hine commented: “UHS is delighted to have secured a long-standing partnership with WHSmith and is proud to welcome Smith’s Kitchen to our Princess Anne Hospital site.
“The team will be providing a new café and retail offer that can be enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors.” 
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