Thinking of going abroad and want to know a bit more about the country you’re intending to visit, you can always pick up that last minute travel guide at the airport. Well it seems that the choice your offers may no longer be just that!
In what seems to be a bizarre deal, WH Smiths who seem to be the only book shop at most airports, have signed an exclusive deal with Penguin Books whereby only their (Penguin’s) travel books will be on the shelves. The deal incidentally not only covers Smiths airport shops but will cover all their UK stores!
Sweeping all other travel guides away including those excellent Berlitz mini-guides, WH Smiths airport shelves will now only contain the Rough Guides and Dorling Kindersley travel books.
Seems a very strange decision that will certainly restrict travellers choice and many travel writers are also up in arms about it.
Looks like its off to Waterstones and Amazon for what I need. It’s a cleaver bit of sales strategy from Smiths (from an new business graduate?) that is sure to drive customers away and make me think even more as to what Smiths are really in business for.
Beasley's Place 