WHSmith will open eight new stores in one North American airport as it continues to grow its international footprint.

The retailer has signed a new partnership with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to launch eight travel stores in its New Terminal One next year to join its existing two locations in Terminal 5.

The openings will include two own-brand formats ‘WHSmith Travel Essentials’ and ‘Skybound by WHSmith’, as well as a number of locally focused experiences including ‘The Queens Borough Market’ and ‘The Canopy’.

WHSmith said the stores will house its leading travel essentials offer and “will celebrate and promote local suppliers, products and the culture of New York”. 

Chief executive Carl Cowling said: “Our win in the iconic JFK airport demonstrates growing demand for our world-class travel essentials offer and why North America is our most exciting opportunity for growth.

“This is significant for WHSmith North America and our partners, and we are delighted that our leading travel essentials proposition has been selected for the highly anticipated New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“The team are always working hard to enhance and improve our offer and strengthen our partnerships with local suppliers, and this award is testament to their efforts.

“We look forward to bringing a distinctly New York experience to our stores as passengers travel through the new terminal.”

Last month, WHSmith said it was “well positioned” for the peak summer trading period after sales across its 1200+ store travel business had jumped 7% in the 13 weeks to 31 May.

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