WHSmith makes $400m bid for US travel retailer

WHSmith investors have backed a $400 million takeover bid for Marshall Retail Group (MRG).

In October, the retailer revealed plans to acquire the US firm as a “compelling opportunity to accelerate the growth of WHSmith’s international travel business in the $3.2 billion US airport travel retail market”.

At that time, MRG had 170 stores in North America – 59 of them in airports.

Earlier this year, WHSmith acquired US travel retailer InMotion, in order to bring “strong and highly visible near-term growth prospects”, part of a wider strategy to expand its presence internationally, particularly its travel division.

WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling said: ”This acquisition will accelerate the growth of our international travel business and combined with InMotion, the market leading digital accessories airport retailer that we acquired last year, will significantly enhance our scale and growth opportunities in the US, a large and fast growing travel retail market.

“This is an exciting value creating opportunity, entirely in line with our strategy.”

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Poundland significantly reduces antisocial behaviour, aggression and shoplifting with Motorola Solutions VT100 body cameras
Retail should not be a high-risk occupation. As a company, we are focused on listening to our colleagues and customers to help them with the issues they are facing in-store and so far, the feedback on our body cameras has been excellent. They act as a great visual deterrent, help to de-escalate situations and overall, this project has significantly aided our goal to make the retail environment safer.

For further information on Motorola Solutions’ retail security products, including body cameras, click here.

Supplying demand: how fashion retailers can meet the needs of customers and still be sustainable
The fashion industry is no stranger to breaking the mould and setting trends, but the pursuit of style can come at a huge cost to the environment.

New legislation, such as the European Union's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, will set mandatory minimums for the inclusion of recycled fibres in textiles, making them longer-lasting and easier to repair.

Advertisement