Stationary retailer WHSmith launches first own-brand cafe concept

The cafe is called Smith’s Kitchen.

WHSmith, the global travel retailer, launched its first own-brand cafe concept Smith’s Kitchen.

The first Smith’s Kitchen was opened in Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton. It is a 495 sq ft cafe and can seat 26 people. The cafe’s menu is designed for hospital customers, including NHS staff, patients and visitors. The menu includes locally sourced coffees, hot breakfast choices, and fresh breads baked in-store.

Alongside the café, Smith’s Kitchen also offers the recently launched Smith’s Family Kitchen food range comprising more than 30 quality products from sandwiches to salads to baguettes and wraps. Developed based on feedback from over one thousand customers, the Smith’s Family Kitchen range has performed ahead of expectations, with over 420,000 of the bestselling BLT sandwiches sold since launch earlier this year.

“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 and commitment to delivering quality experiences and products at WHSmith for our customers and partners,” Andrew Harrison, UK Travel Managing Director, at WHSmith said.

Earlier this year, WHSmith also launched a coffee concept.