WHSmith’s Asia expansion is gathering pace with Hong Kong joining other locations including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

WHSmith’s International Travel business has announced a new franchise partnership with King Power Group (Hong Kong) to develop the brand and its concepts in Hong Kong.

The latest announcement is a further boost for the company, which last month revealed it is set to complete the $198m acquisition of travel retailer inMotion by the end of the year.

Other significant developments in 2018 include the inauguration of a slew of airport stores at RIOgaleão Tom Jobim International Airport in partnership with Duty Free Americas — the news and convenience retailer’s first entry into South America and further openings in Belfast, Tenerife and new Muscat terminal.

EXCITING COLLABORATION
Sunil Tuli, King Power Group, Managing Director, Travel Retail and Duty Free (left) commented: “We are excited to collaborate with WHSmith as their franchise partners in the territory. WHSmith is an esteemed and leading news, books and convenience brand and operator globally.

“We have seen their international travel retail businesses grow over the past years and we trust that our collaboration will see good successes in Hong Kong.”

International Chairman, WH Smith, Louis de Bourgoing added: “We remain ambitious in growing the WHSmith brand and businesses in Asia. We are currently present in six countries in the region which are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, India and China, with excellent business partners.

“We are delighted to welcome King Power Group (Hong Kong) as a new franchise partner.  We very much look forward to working together to grow our presence across Asia and bring the WHSmith offer to travelling customers in Hong Kong.”