WHSmith is posed to make its mark in Hong Kong after striking a new franchise partnership for its international travel retail arm.
The partnership, with the King Power Group, will enable the book and stationery retailer to develop its brand and concepts across Hong Kong as part of plans to grow its presence in Asia.
“We are currently present in six countries in the region: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, India and China, with excellent business partners and we are delighted to welcome King Power Group as a new franchise partner,” WHSmith chairman Louis de Bourgoing said.
“We very much look forward to working together to grow our presence across Asia and bring the WHSmith offer to travelling customers in Hong Kong.”
With 35 years of travel retail experience in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent, King Power Group employs more than 10,000 people and operates more than 1000 stores across various retail categories.
“WHSmith is an esteemed and leading news, books and convenience brand and operator globally,” King Power Group travel retail managing director Sunil Tuli said.
“We have seen their international travel retail businesses grow over the past years and we trust that our collaboration will see good successes in Hong Kong.”
The news comes a few weeks after WHSmith acquired InMotion, the largest airport-based digital accessories retailer in North America, in a £155 million deal.
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