wh smith buys modelzone

[Newportnobby]

The W.H.Smiths branch in Preston resembles a jumble sale as it is so I don't even use it for books
I can only see EP's scenario happening

[Jack]

WH Smiths has been struggling in our area for a long time. My eldest daughter who, many moons ago, used to work for them used to ask customers if they had internet and if so, order the book from Amazon because it was a lot cheaper! They wanted her to be the deputy manager but she gave them her notice instead and moved on to greater things. She wont even go into a Smiths now. Her view was that area management couldn't organise a booze up in a brewery.

All that said, if by taking over Modelzone I can get some decent modelling paint locally that'll be a bonus. I can get Tamiya but I don't like it, dry's to quick for my liking.

[IanUK]

W.H. Who??

[4x2]

Not a fan of Smiths... expensive for everything, poor service and run down shops...

They will charge a fortune for modelling stuff, especially if their art & crafts are anything to go by...

oh, and NO I do NOT want a bar of chocolate for a £1 - IF I did, I would of picked one up...

[Geoff]

oh, and NO I do NOT want a bar of chocolate for a £1 - IF I did, I would of picked one up...

You would be suprised how many people do buy the chocolate that is pushed on them, thats why they keep asking.

[gc4946]

I can only speculate that with the demise of Modelzone, W.H. Smith saw an opportunity in the market to sell models with the backing of a well-known brand in the high street.
Compared with Modelzone even at its height, they have far more branches nationwide.
If there's been a decline in sales of books and other print media, they've then got room to stock more profitable lines including models. I guess in some of their larger stores they'll be a Hornby concession selling the full range of their diecasts and trains.   

[Skyline2uk]

Hobbycraft managed to make their model railway stuff range take off, after all

I wish the Bristol branch listen to you! They had a big range of stuff until around a year ago when for some reason they reduced it to a couple of rows of quite pricy paint and aircraft kits.

Anyway back to the topic. I am thinking Modelzone was not a massive loss for me personally (with all due respect to those poor souls who lost a job, that I would not wish on anyone), and I am almost certain WH Smith won't change anything. I would also bet quite big that N gauge won't feature.

Don't think there will ever be a day when I am at the till paying for some spontaneous book or other and the assistant says....

"Would you like an 08 with that?"

A man can dream though....a man can dream....

Skyline2uk

[Jack]

Don't think there will ever be a day when I am at the till paying for some spontaneous book or other and the assistant says....

"Would you like an 08 with that?"

A man can dream though....a man can dream....

Skyline2uk

The nearest you might get is an After 8... 

[Skyline2uk]

 

Skyline2uk

[trkilliman]

I have long been amazed how W.H.Smith has survived in today's internet environment. They must have made the decision to branch out (no pun intended) or to die as a business. Would I buy a bar of chocolate at 60-70p in Smith's when I can often get four for £1 in a supermarket?                                                                                                                              If they have indeed bought Modelzone then they will have to think long and hard about their pricing policy. Their normal prices are high on just about everything, tumbling dramatically when their shelves are left stocked up. We all know about box shifters as they are called, so they'll have to take this into consideration. They certainly have the High Street presence, so they could capture a fair chunk of the market in model railways. I don't believe their prices will be attractive enough to do this though...it's just not their way of trading. Just my pennyworth guys.

[EtchedPixels]

Maybe thats why modelzone is the perfect match - overpriced ;-)

[guest311]

sorry, but I've found their staff so unhelpfull, don't you dare interrupt their personal conversations just because you want to enquire about buying something, even rude, that I never go in there.

as said, prices are ridiculous, and the fuss at the till with pressuring to buy something you didn't want just made me decide no more.

just amazed they are still in business.

[Bmthtrains]

Don't expect anything positive to come from this. Having been a close observer of Smiths during my previous career, they are only continuing to survive a drastic fall in sales over the past five years by cutting costs to a terrifying minimum, and by charging out every square millimetre of space to paid-for displays, interactive legal advice zones, post offices etc.

Kate Swan did a very good job of cutting costs and boosting margin, but conveniently left (as with Terry Lehey at Tesco) when she had exhausted every avenue and the only way to boost profit is now to boost topline sales - which frankly few in retail have the foggiest idea how to do.

Smiths are also astonishingly dodgy with their promotions. They regularly offer 25% off both lego and airfix...having already inflated the price to 25% above RRP before putting them in the offer...a disgraceful practice.

Expect model zone branded shelves with basic airfix and Hornby concessions at eye watering prices.

David

[dodger]

My local model shop had heard this via their Hornby rep. Hornby were quite excited as it meant they could get a bigger high street presence. My local read between the lines that it would be at the detriment to 'proper' model shops.
Gareth

If its like WH Smith's IT products then I doubt it.

"I'd like to buy XYZ"
"Yes..." (bored staff teenager plays with phone)
"Is it compatible with.."
"I don't know" (tries to read the box and fails)
"Would anyone else know"
"I don't know" (goes back to phone)

I would have thought it more likely the model shop will be getting some of the custom after they buy a set and the WH Smiths doesn't have most of the bits they want to extend it.

Thats the response I expect from WH Smith staff if you can find any to ask.

Dodger

[MikeDunn]

I'm impressed ... you expect one "yes" 

WHS managed to get a foot into the door in  my town last year ... can't say the local newsagents made any comments as both of 'em had closed by then !

Be "interesting" to see what happens, especially on the MZ front; not expecting much, so they may meet my expectations !!!