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WHSmith
4.4
based on 80 Reviews
Company Overview
Company Locations
Working at WHSmith
Company Summary
WHSmith operates a vast retail network, specializing in books and stationery, while enhancing customer convenience through extensive online and travel retail options.
Overall Rating
4.4/5
based on 80 reviews
10% above
industry average
Highly rated for
Work satisfaction, Work-life balance, Company culture
Work Policy
Rotational Shift
44% employees reported
Flexible timing
61% employees reported
No travel
42% employees reported
Day shift
94% employees reported
View detailed work policy
Top Employees Benefits
Job/Soft skill training
4 employees reported
Office cab/shuttle
3 employees reported
Free meal
3 employees reported
Health insurance
3 employees reported
View all benefits
About WHSmith
Founded in1792 (233 yrs old)
India Employee Count201-500
Global Employee Count10k-50k
HeadquartersSwindon, UnitedKingdom
Office Locations
--
Websitewhsmithindia.com
Primary Industry
Other Industries
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With over 600 stores on the high street and another 800+ travel stores at airports, train stations, hospitals, workplaces and motorway services, WHSmith is one of the UK's leading retail groups and a household name. You probably know us best for books, newspapers and stationery. Now, thanks to our carefully chosen partners, we offer an increasingly wide choice of goods through our stores and website. Beyond the UK we continue to open stores in airports, railway stations, hospitals and shopping malls across Australia, South East Asia, India and the Middle East. The WHSmith website launched in 1999, a few years after the UK’s first secure online order was placed with WHSmith in 1995. Our online service aims to make shopping as convenient as possible for our customers, and you’ll find many of our store products available for delivery to your home or one of our high street stores.
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WHSmith Ratings
based on 80 reviews
Overall Rating
4.4/5
How AmbitionBox ratings work?
5
35
4
27
3
11
2
2
1
5
Category Ratings
4.2
Work satisfaction
4.1
Work-life balance
3.9
Company culture
3.9
Skill development
3.8
Salary
3.6
Job security
3.6
Promotions
WHSmith is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on AmbitionBox, based on 80 company reviews. This rating reflects a generally positive employee experience, indicating satisfaction with the company’s work culture, benefits, and career growth opportunities. AmbitionBox gathers authentic employee reviews and ratings, making it a trusted platform for job seekers and employees in India.
Read more
WHSmith Reviews
Top mentions in WHSmith Reviews
+ 3 more
Compare WHSmith with Similar Companies
Change Company | Change Company | Change Company | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall Rating | 4.4/5 based on 80 reviews | 3.9/5 based on 22.2k reviews | 2.3/5 based on 4 reviews | 3.4/5 based on 154 reviews |
Highly Rated for | Work satisfaction Work-life balance Skill development | Skill development Job security | No highly rated category | No highly rated category |
Critically Rated for | No critically rated category | Promotions | Salary Promotions Skill development | Promotions Salary Work satisfaction |
Primary Work Policy | - | Work from office 83% employees reported | - | Work from office 93% employees reported |
Rating by Women Employees | 2.3 Poor rated by 10 women | 3.8 Good rated by 2k women | 4.9 Excellent rated by 2 women | 4.5 Good rated by 21 women |
Rating by Men Employees | 4.6 Excellent rated by 63 men | 3.9 Good rated by 19.2k men | 1.2 Bad rated by 2 men | 3.3 Average rated by 118 men |
Job security | 3.6 Good | 3.8 Good | 2.3 Poor | 3.3 Average |
View more
WHSmith Salaries
WHSmith salaries have received with an average score of 3.8 out of 5 by 80 employees.
Customer Service Associate
(27 salaries)
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₹1.1 L/yr - ₹3 L/yr
Store Manager
(17 salaries)
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₹2.7 L/yr - ₹7.4 L/yr
Assistant Store Manager
(7 salaries)
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₹3 L/yr - ₹5 L/yr
Retail Store Manager
(7 salaries)
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₹2.5 L/yr - ₹8.1 L/yr
Team Lead
(5 salaries)
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₹2.4 L/yr - ₹2.6 L/yr
Head Cashier
(5 salaries)
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₹2.2 L/yr - ₹3.4 L/yr
C.S.A
(5 salaries)
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₹1.3 L/yr - ₹3 L/yr
Customer Service Executive
(5 salaries)
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₹1.5 L/yr - ₹2.8 L/yr
Loss Prevention Executive
(5 salaries)
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₹1.8 L/yr - ₹3 L/yr
Accounts & Finance Manager
(4 salaries)
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₹8.4 L/yr - ₹11.7 L/yr
WHSmith News
View all
At least half of WH Smith high street stores could close under a new owner
- At least half of WH Smith’s 500 high street stores could be closed by any new owner, industry experts say.
- Offers for the group are expected in the next few weeks and a deal completed by early May.
- WH Smith is in talks with potential bidders including private equity groups Hilco and Alteri, as it aims to focus on its fast-expanding travel business.
- WH Smith has been reducing its high street estate with store closures in recent years, and some property experts suggest further downsizing may be necessary for the retailer to remain competitive.
Guardian | 9 Feb, 2025
WH Smith sale could turn high street into ‘book desert’, authors say
- Authors express concern over the potential sale of WH Smith's high street stores, fearing it could create 'book deserts' and reduce opportunities for young readers.
- Some authors praise WH Smith for being a gateway for people to discover books and worry that its disappearance would be a loss.
- WH Smith confirms it is exploring a possible sale of about 500 high street stores, while focusing on branches at airports, hospitals, and train stations.
- Publishers hope any new buyer of WH Smith's high street stores will prioritize books, as they play a vital role in reaching readers and promoting commercial fiction.
Guardian | 1 Feb, 2025
WH Smith UK high street sales fall as stores put on the market
- WH Smith reports falling sales in its UK high street stores while its travel arm sees revenue growth.
- The high street division, which is up for sale, witnessed a 6% decrease in sales compared to the previous year.
- Meanwhile, the travel division experienced a 7% increase in sales, benefiting from passenger growth at airports.
- WH Smith aims to focus on its successful travel division and is in talks with potential buyers for its high street stores.
Guardian | 29 Jan, 2025
WH Smith sale plan could turn some areas into ‘postal deserts’, says union
- The planned sale of WH Smith’s high street stores could lead to the closure of post offices in communities, turning them into “postal deserts”, warns the Communication Workers Union.
- The potential sale of the 500-store high street chain for £100m aims to shift WH Smith's focus to expanding outlets in travel locations.
- Falling shopper numbers, rising costs, and economic decisions are impacting high street retailers, eroding profitability.
- Potential buyers interested in the 233-year-old chain include financial investors Alteri, Hilco, and Modella Capital, among others.
Guardian | 28 Jan, 2025
Gravity finally catches up with WH Smith on the high street
- WH Smith, once considered at risk of 'death by Amazon', defied the odds under CEO Kate Swann by cutting costs and focusing on higher-margin products.
- However, the pandemic has hit WH Smith's high street profits, which came back at half their previous level.
- The company is now exploring a potential disposal of its high street operation, which is seen as a drag on its overall performance.
- While the future owner could either pursue a strategy of keeping the business afloat or accelerate its decline, the key would be affordable rents and fresh ideas for reinvention.
Guardian | 28 Jan, 2025
WH Smith puts UK high street stores up for sale creating uncertainty for workers
- WH Smith, the 232-year-old UK retail chain, has put its high street stores up for sale.
- The move aims to shift focus to its successful travel arm and potentially result in the disappearance of the WH Smith brand from high streets and town centres.
- The travel business, with 1,300 stores worldwide, generated three-quarters of the group's revenue.
- The potential sale raises concerns about job cuts and shop closures, as high street staff are not unionised.
Guardian | 27 Jan, 2025
WH Smith considers sale of high street business including more than 500 stores
- WH Smith is considering options for its high street business, including a potential sale.
- The high street arm of WH Smith consists of more than 500 stores.
- The company confirmed it is exploring strategic options for the high street business, but there is no certainty of reaching an agreement.
- WH Smith's travel business, which has about 1,200 stores worldwide, generates the majority of the group's revenue and trading profit.
Guardian | 25 Jan, 2025
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WHSmith FAQs
When was WHSmith founded?
WHSmith was founded in 1792. The company has been operating for 233 years primarily in the Retail sector.
Where is the WHSmith headquarters located?
WHSmith is headquartered in Swindon.
How many employees does WHSmith have in India?
WHSmith currently has approximately 300+ employees in India.
Does WHSmith have good work-life balance?
WHSmith has a work-life balance rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on 80+ employee reviews on AmbitionBox. 78% employees rated WHSmith 4 or above on work-life balance. This rating reflects the company's efforts to help employees maintain a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives. We encourage you to read WHSmith work-life balance reviews for more details
Is WHSmith good for career growth?
Career growth at WHSmith is rated fairly well, with a promotions and appraisal rating of 3.6. 78% employees rated WHSmith 4 or above, while 22% employees rated it 3 or below on promotions/appraisal. Though the sentiment is mixed for career growth, majority employees have rated it positively. We recommend reading WHSmith reviews for more detailed insights.
What are the pros of working in WHSmith?
Working at WHSmith offers several advantages that make it an appealing place for employees. The company is highly rated for work satisfaction, work life balance and company culture, based on 80+ employee reviews on AmbitionBox.
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