Despite a recent commitment to its music departments and a new supply deal with music retail distribution firm EUK, some wonder if WH Smith will side line its music operations after the company's chief exec didn't mention music or video as a top priority when updating investors on plans last week.
Commenting on the future of the company now that a high profile take over bid by equity firm Permira is finally off the cards (it fell through last week), WH Smith's boss Kate Swann said this weekend "We aim to return the UK high street retail business to its role as Britain's most popular stationer, bookseller and newsagent." With rumours that the chain plan to install coffee shops into some of their stores speculation is they will become bookstores with a music/video department on the side, rather than entertainment products having equal billing.