WHSmith set to open more than 30 stores after major rebrand | UK | News
WHSmith is reportedly preparing to open more than 30 new stores under its rebranded name TGJones. The retailer, along with its parent company Modella Capital, announced plans to increase its presence on the high street from 464 to around 500 at a meeting with landlords on November 19.
TGJones chief executive Sean Toal told estate agents and landlords that the business would become a “busy high street centre” and said expansions would include relocations and resizing of existing locations. Speaking alongside Modella Capital property director Charlie Martindale, he noted that the branches will include concessions such as the Post Office, Hobbycraft and Toys ‘R’ Us.
Stationery and books supplier rebrands as TGJones this year after its acquisition. by Modella for £76 million.
There was no specific timeline for long-term goals, but Toal reportedly described the new shopping experience as a place to “read books, consume magazines, learn with our stationery, play with our Toys ‘R’ Us ranges, do mail and bank transactions,” according to Retail Week. The CEO also highlighted places where the business is under-represented, such as Manchester and Edinburgh.
He said that approximately 180 Post Offices will be opened in the branches and noted that the number of weekly visitors to Post Offices has increased between 4,000 and 6,000.
TGJones appears to be focusing on franchises, with a goal of opening more than 250 Hobbycraft shop-in-shops and approximately 250 Toys ‘R’ Us locations by the end of fiscal 2027. Retail Week understands it may also launch the Claire’s accessories chain in some stores.
TGJones and Modella have confirmed the rebranding of 16 businesses this year, with TGJones planning to open a new Leeds site on Saturday 22 November.
Toal said the company was meeting with key partners and added: “We talked about our plans to introduce some of the UK’s best-loved brands, including Hobbycraft and Toys ‘R’ Us, and grow our strong partnership with the Post Office.
“We hope to create busy high street centers that serve the needs of customers across the UK.”
During the rebrand, WHSmith’s new owners said the new TGJones name “feels like a worthy successor” and “carries the same sense of family and reflects these stores being at the heart of everyone’s high street”.
