UNITED KINGDOM. WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen, a new store format for its UK travel retail business. This is the retailer’s first own-brand cafe offering both dine-in and takeaway.
The first Smith’s Kitchen officially opened today (15 August) at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton. The 495 square metre, 26-seat cafe has been designed for hospital customers including NHS staff, patients and visitors.
The menu features coffee from a local roaster and hot breakfast options, including pastries baked in-store.
The cafe also offers Smith’s Family Kitchen’s extensive food range of over 30 products, from sandwiches and salads to baguettes and wraps.
According to WHSmith, the range was developed based on feedback from over 1,000 customers, and more than 420,000 of the popular BLT sandwiches have been sold since the range was launched earlier this year.
Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of WHSmith UK Travel, commented: “Whether in hospital or travelling, customers tell us that the quality of food and drink is what matters most to them across the various locations we serve.
“That’s why we have doubled our grocery range and formats to ensure our customers don’t have to compromise on quality or value, as demonstrated today with the launch of Smith’s Kitchen.
“Opening our very first own-branded café, shortly after launching our new own-branded food range, demonstrates the pace of innovation across our entire business. WHSmith is committed to providing high-quality experiences and products to our customers and partners.”
WHSmith operates 590 stores in airports, hospitals and train stations across the UK and, with increasing numbers of passengers and visitors, the company is focused on becoming a one-stop shop for travel essentials.
According to the company, takeaway and meal deals are one of the main reasons customers shop at WHSmith. Each year, the retailer sells over 11 million meal deals made up of more than 900,000 product combinations.
WHSmith’s hospital offering is one of the fastest growing areas of its UK business; the company operates over 140 stores and franchises in hospitals across the country.
In the last eight weeks, the retailer has opened four new locations and sees the potential to expand one of its formats to up to 200 more hospitals.
Matthew Hine, Commercial & Enterprise Development Manager at University Hospital Southampton, commented: “UHS is delighted with its long-standing partnership with WHSmith and is proud to welcome Smith’s Kitchen to our site at Princess Anne Hospital.
“The team will deliver a new café and retail offering available to patients, staff and visitors.” 
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