WH Smiths at Railway Stations

[WestCoast]

I was watching 'Inside Gatwick' last year and it said the shops there pay a percentage of their sales revenue to the airport operator. If this is in addition to rent or whether this actually applies to WHSmith I don't know.

The airport operator also didn't seem too pleased at how WHSmith Travel was run (long queues, overcrowded e.t.c).

 

[Butts]

The John Menzies effect was them being WHS's main station competitor, until they where bought out. By WHS Group

What about Privatisation ? - dealing with Railtrack, Network Rail and TOC's rather than just BR?

 

[Nym]

I was watching 'Inside Gatwick' last year and it said the shops there pay a percentage of their sales revenue to the airport operator. If this is in addition to rent or whether this actually applies to WHSmith I don't know.

The airport operator also didn't seem too pleased at how WHSmith Travel was run (long queues, overcrowded e.t.c).

There isn't a basic rent, but there is a minimum rent guarantee, and this is the case at most WHST stores, thanks to treating their staff like utter **** and them not being bothered about getting anything done properly, and then the likes of head office enforcing TPCs that would make your hair stand on end!

I could serve customers in under 10 seconds, TPCs (Till Point Conversations) push that up past a minute!

 

[WestCoast]

There isn't a basic rent, but there is a minimum rent guarantee, and this is the case at most WHST stores, thanks to treating their staff like utter **** and them not being bothered about getting anything done properly, and then the likes of head office enforcing TPCs that would make your hair stand on end!

I could serve customers in under 10 seconds, TPCs (Till Point Conversations) push that up past a minute!

They've introduced self-service checkouts at some WHST stores, haven't they? At least they can't ask you about whether you want any half price chocolate...

 

[Nym]

Don't give the ****s any ideas! They'll record someone at Swindon saying, "Would you like any CDM for £1?"

 

[DelayRepay]

They've introduced self-service checkouts at some WHST stores, haven't they? At least they can't ask you about whether you want any half price chocolate...

They can - it asks on the screen, before you want to pay, if you'd like to purchase any special offers.

At least they've not programmed Mrs Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area to say 'Would you like to purchase any of our rubbish for £1?'

 

[Nym]

Bear in mind I used to have to say this, well, only when a manager was stood near me...

 

[Greeby]

WHSmiths were supposed to be moving into the travel centre at MKC. Got the planning permission in August, yet not a peep so far.
http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/dev...ments/15_August_-_21_August_Decision_List.pdf

Perhaps someone in their office realised that being the fourth newsagent in the complex, which is generally saturated with retail, was not a good business move. In the last year, we've had a Game/DVD rental machine come and go from the overbridge, ditto a mobile stall selling fruit salads. And now we have vending machines on the platforms. But dog forbid this town have a place for involved rail ticketing :roll:

 

[island]

There's a Co-Op nearby if passengers are sassy to go there before going to the station.

Not really useful for people flying out who'll have their bottles of water/Coke/Irn-Bru confiscated.

 

[jon0844]

Aren't the rather stupid and pointless restrictions on fluids going to be dropped soon?

 

[Nym]

Aren't the rather stupid and pointless restrictions on fluids going to be dropped soon?

You wouldn't call them stupid and pointless if you knew how many attempts had been made to smuggle explosives through security checkpoints disguised as unopened drinks. Or even through stock scanning as unopened drinks.

You'd be surprised what 235ml of PETN or 500ml of Stabilised Nitroglycerine can do...

 

[WestCoast]

They can - it asks on the screen, before you want to pay, if you'd like to purchase any special offers.

At least they've not programmed Mrs Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area to say 'Would you like to purchase any of our rubbish for £1?'

Oh dear, don't give them any more ideas! Typical WHSmith...

You wouldn't call them stupid and pointless if you knew how many attempts had been made to smuggle explosives through security checkpoints disguised as unopened drinks. Or even through stock scanning as unopened drinks.

Yes, it is a security concern and I don't think the restrictions will be removed any time soon. However, my concern with "airport security" is just how much of it really is a "theater" in the literal sense!

Oh, and don't think rail travel will always be exempt from these security regulations. They scan baggage before you board high speed trains in Spain at checkpoints, and of course before you board the Eurostar.

 

[island]

You wouldn't call them stupid and pointless if you knew how many attempts had been made to smuggle explosives through security checkpoints disguised as unopened drinks. Or even through stock scanning as unopened drinks.

You'd be surprised what 235ml of PETN or 500ml of Stabilised Nitroglycerine can do...

You'd be surprised that three 80ml bottles of liquid can be taken through security without hindrance. Wouldn't you?

Oh, and don't think rail travel will always be exempt from these security regulations. They scan baggage before you board high speed trains in Spain at checkpoints, and of course before you board the Eurostar.

But they do not (yet) have absurd liquid restrictions on the Eurostar, thankfully. And don't start me on body scanners...

 

[Nym]

You'd be surprised that three 80ml bottles of liquid can be taken through security without hindrance. Wouldn't you?

No I wouldn't because I know what the regulations are...

Till bashers at airports are supposed to know this

I also know the full security procedures according to CAA regulations ta...

 

[WestCoast]

But they do not (yet) have absurd liquid restrictions on the Eurostar, thankfully. And don't start me on body scanners...

Did you know that, if selected, you have to go through a body scanner in the UK? You can't refuse (or at least you couldn't when the rules were first introduced). No other EU country has this policy and even the super-strict USA lets you opt-out for an 'enhanced' pat down!

I wouldn't rule out security checks happening (in some form) on HS2...

 

[Terrafire]

I wouldn't rule out security checks happening (in some form) on HS2...

I would; unlike HS1, HS2 has been sold pretty much solely on point-to-point travel time. Any security check would basically negate the extra speed advantage, and would therefore be counter-productive and politically impossible.

 

[island]

Did you know that, if selected, you have to go through a body scanner in the UK? You can't refuse (or at least you couldn't when the rules were first introduced). No other EU country has this policy and even the super-strict USA lets you opt-out for an 'enhanced' pat down!

I wouldn't rule out security checks happening (in some form) on HS2...

I'm fully aware (and have been scanned on a number of occasions). The UK is in fact in violation of EU law since December 2nd 2011 in refusing alternative hand-searches for people not wishing to be scanned.

However, getting wildly off topic.

 

[Yew]

I'm glad I don't have to fly regularly with all these new security measures...

 

[WestCoast]

I would; unlike HS1, HS2 has been sold pretty much solely on point-to-point travel time. Any security check would basically negate the extra speed advantage, and would therefore be counter-productive and politically impossible.

It does seem like a practical nightmare but we don't know how the security situation will develop in the future. One thwarted attack from British terrorist cells has radically changed security procedures at airports across all Western countries.

The atrocities committed on Madrid's rail network seems to have kept support up for security screening on Spain's high-speed rail network. Globally most people remember the sad transport-related attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, but how many people in comparison remember what happened in Madrid in 2004?

Anyway, it must be said that I don't really expect to see security checks on HS2, but I wouldn't rule anything out in 30 or 40 years time. If there is pressure from the public to be "seen to be doing something" then something may well happen...

I'm glad I don't have to fly regularly with all these new security measures...

If you're prepared and know the rules, it's generally not so bad. Certain airports are better than others at making the process more trouble-free.

Back to WHSmith then...

 

[Butts]

Back to WH Smith.......

If I thought Edinburgh Waverley was expensive for cigarettes it has nothing on the Branch at T5 Heathrow - yes wait for it £8.99 to be tendered for 20B&H.

People perhaps don't appreciate there is normally such a low margin on the above product (pence per packet) as so much of the price is duty and VAT.

This mark up represents a huge rake for WHS.

Fortunately I was on my way to Luxembourg where I legally purchased 2000 B&H at just under £4 per packet in a normal tobacconists with the EU duty paid in the country of origin.

Has anyone seen a WHS at a station or airport that tops £8.99

 

[fhs man 2]

The reason is that they have monopoly at railway stations and airports. I like having a look in the shop when I am bored but I never buy from them.

 

[Nym]

Has anyone seen a WHS at a station or airport that tops £8.99

You won't...

WHST LHRT5 has the highest pricing scheme of any store. (In the UK, not inc. Jersey, IOM, UAE or France)

Tobacco is at "Air Premium Tier 1" the next nearest is "Rail Premium Tier 1" and the only one of them I know of is London Victoria Railway Station, but this is the same as "Air Premium Tier 2" roughly on pricing. (LHR T1-4, LGW)

 

[island]

You won't...

WHST LHRT5 has the highest pricing scheme of any store. (In the UK, not inc. Jersey, IOM, UAE or France)

Tobacco is at "Air Premium Tier 1" the next nearest is "Rail Premium Tier 1" and the only one of them I know of is London Victoria Railway Station, but this is the same as "Air Premium Tier 2" roughly on pricing. (LHR T1-4, LGW)

Air Premium Tier 1, eh?

I wonder what tiers they have in Ireland and Australia.

 

[WestCoast]

I notice that Boots station/airport prices are much closer to the high street than WHSmith, probably because they don't have things like "Air Premium Tier 1".

 

[Butts]

I notice that Boots station/airport prices are much closer to the high street than WHSmith, probably because they don't have things like "Air Premium Tier 1".

I think a better name would be "Air Rip Off Tier 1"

 

[Nym]

Air Premium Tier 1, eh?

I wonder what tiers they have in Ireland and Australia.

Ireland isn't part of WHST, neither is Austraillia, the're part of WHSInt. Although until recently, Shannon Airport was actually grouped into North 1 WHST for some reason, proberbly so Peter Booker (Area Manager, North 1) can go of on jollies to Ireland every month to inspect it...

North 1 includes: Manc, Liverpool, Leeds, Doncaster, Humberside Airports, Manchester P, Vic, Leeds, York, rail etc.

And yes, one does wonder where all the extra money at WHST goes, since they have lower staff costs and lower staffing levels than boots in Airports...

(And people also wonder why I knew this information as a till basher, even before I was a 'shift leader' doing the job of a duty manager)

 

[Statto]

I notice that Boots station/airport prices are much closer to the high street than WHSmith, probably because they don't have things like "Air Premium Tier 1".

This is the point i'm making, even at Rail Stations Boots are nearer High Street prices with a small mark up, than WH Smiths. I went into Boots the other week at Lime Street Station they had soft drinks 500ml bottle on offer at 2 for £1:80 which i brought, had a look at WH Smith prices next door before i went into Boots & £1:85 just for 1, 500ml bottle, or 2 for £2:50 for the same product.:mad:

 

[Nym]

Simple solution then, vote with your feet and stop buying stuff at WHSmith...

 

[jon0844]

I think a better name would be "Air Rip Off Tier 1"

I'm sure there are still some people who assume that being able to buy duty free (for travel outside the EU) in some way means prices of water, chocolate bars and sweets will be cheaper. I never see people saying 'What the ****?' when they see the prices in WH Smith, and there's enough people queuing.

Okay, so its a captive market so I understand why people have no choice, but if nobody is complaining then it will never change.

And don't think that one person can't make a difference. I stopped shopping at Tesco around a year ago and look what happened there!

 

[F Great Eastern]

Definitely available at LHR, LGW, and EDI. Definitely not available at SOU, LCY, and BOH. Haven't been through any other UK airports of late.

They're at Stansted too. Also a very good Spar before security with two bottles of water for less than a pound.