UK. WH Smith Travel has been named ‘Book Retailer of the Year’ at the British Book Industry Awards.
Judges praised the company for its increased investment in the category, the opening of new standalone WH Smith book stores in major airports, and its ‘Fresh Talent’ promotion, which is designed to champion debut and emerging authors.
WH Smith Travel opened 22 new units across the UK in 2015, including new store formats such as ‘The Bookshop by WHSmith’.
As part of its Fresh Talent promotion, the company held an event at the WH Smith book store at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 earlier this year. Six authors signed and discussed their novels with travellers.
WH Smith Travel Senior Books Buyer Mike Roberts said: “We are delighted to have won the Book Retailer of the Year award. We continually work hard to provide our customers with the most relevant, exciting and inspiring titles we can, in a store environment that is enjoyable for the travelling customer.”
