WHSmith has launched its own coffee store format under the name District Market Coffee.
Aimed at hospitals in the UK, the store offers food and drink for both dine-in and takeaway. The first outlet opened yesterday in Sheffield Northern General Hospital, with a second café due to open in Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital in the coming weeks.
The offer includes fresh patisserie baked in-store, hot breakfasts, and chilled meal deals, with a 10% NHS discount across all products.
The first café sells only locally sourced coffee from Frazers roastery in Sheffield, champions the works of local artist Jo Peel across its bespoke interiors, and donates 1% of revenue to Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
WHSmith currently runs over 140 stores and franchises in hospitals across the UK, with it being one of the fastest-growing areas in its Travel division. The launch of District Market Coffee adds to the retailer’s range of formats it operates across different hospitals, including WHSmith, Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Costa Coffee, and proprietary coffee brands. The retailer recently outlined that it sees opportunities for at least one of its formats in a further 200 hospitals.
Andrew Harrison, UK Travel Managing Director, commented: “We are excited to be opening the first District Market Coffee in the UK today. Whether it’s a quick bite to eat or a place to relax and recharge, District Market Coffee and its wide range of quality, locally sourced products is well set up to be a part of the hospital and wider community.
“This launch is the latest example of WHSmith’s growing experience and expertise in working with Hospital Trusts to deliver relevant, modern, and customer focused retail offers, and we see further opportunities for growth ahead.”
NAM Implications:
- Anticipate a fast roll-out of this no-brainer addition to the WHSmith Travel offering.
- (and why not via its travel outlets also…)
- With newspapers and mags becoming mere add-ons.
- Giving shrinking demand for same…
