I love the variety in my role. You get to work with many different teams and people in the UK WHSmith business along with working with outside franchise partners and their teams across the globe.
Emma
International Project Manager
As well as our UK based stores we operate in a number of international locations, including Denmark, Sweden, France, Oman, Australia and India. In total, our international portfolio counts for more than 60 stores based predominantly in airports, hospitals and shopping malls. As part of our strategic growth plan we are looking to further extend our global presence through acquisitions, joint ventures or on our own. To support this growth plan we look for people with relevant experience in international roles varying from International Merchandisers and Buyers to Retail staff.
Most of our international operations are acquisitions or joint ventures, but in Australia, France, Ireland and Hong Kong we have our own operations with our own employees.
Australia
In 2011 we opened our first store in Melbourne International Airport, and we now have 7 stores across Melbourne and Sydney supported by a regional office.
Hong Kong
To support the development of our own brand stationery products we have a regional office based in Hong Kong where we have a team of Supply Chain Analysts, Product Developers and Buyers.
Ireland
In 2009, we opened two stores in Shannon Airport with a further three stores in Dublin Airport in 2010. We now have 7 stores in total.
France
Our first international branch was opened in Paris on 1903 and it still exists today in the same exclusive location on the Champs-Élysées. As well as supplying our Parisian customers with our core products; books, stationery and newspapers you can also find some traditional British products like baked beans and marmite! We opened our second French store in Calais in 2010.