TGJones
 Proposed logo filed on the IPO website in March 2025 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Predecessor | WHSmith (high street business) |
| Founded | 2025 |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Books, periodicals, stationery |
| Owner | Modella Capital |
TGJones is the planned name for the high street retail business of WHSmith, following the completion of its divestment and sale to Modella Capital, which also owns Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop.[1] The sale value of the shops was £76 million.[2] WHSmith expect the sale to be completed in the final quarter of the company's financial year ending on 31 August 2025.[3]
The name 'TGJones' is not derived from any individual, but was chosen to "[reflect] these stores being at the heart of everyone's high street".[4] In terms of branding, TGJones is expected to be similar to WHSmith, with a similar text mark and blue-and-white colour scheme.[5]
Sale and transition
[edit]WHSmith opted to sell the business in order to focus on its larger travel retail operation which accounted for 75% of its trading revenue and 85% of its profits in the last financial year. The WHSmith brand will be retained by the WHSmith group for its travel retail shops and other activities, meaning the high street business will need to be rebranded.[2] Despite not being related to its travel business, the card online retailer Funky Pigeon is not included in the sale and will be kept by WHSmith.[6]
At the time the sale was agreed, there were 480 WHSmith high street stores.[7][8]
Following concerns from the Communication Workers Union, representing Post Office and Royal Mail staff, that the sale may cause "postal deserts" given the large proportion of branches inside the WHSmith high street stores, Modella insist they plan to make few changes, retaining Post Offices and Toys "R" Us sections within shops.[9]
In May 2025, Sky News revealed that WHSmith's 12 month long transitional services agreement with Modella Capital allowed for WHSmith to cancel the contract in the event of a company voluntary arrangement.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Iconic retailer to disappear from high streets as 480 stores become 'TGJones'". The Star. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ a b Wright, Georgia (28 March 2025). "WHSmith sells UK high street arm for £76m to Modella Capital". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Bowman, Keith. "ii view: WH Smith sells high street chain to focus on travel". Interactive Investor. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Ashworth, Louis (28 March 2025). "What does TGJones mean?". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Trade mark number UK00004169377". United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ "WHSmith sells UK High Street business to focus on higher growth travel retail markets" (PDF). WHSmith plc. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ^ Sweney, Mark; Butler, Sarah (28 March 2025). "WH Smith name to disappear from high street in agreed £76m sale to Modella". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Holmes, Harry (28 March 2025). "WH Smith to rebrand as TGJones after £76m sale". The Grocer. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Sweney, Mark (28 March 2025). "WH Smith name to disappear from high street in agreed £76m sale to Modella". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Kleinman, Mark (4 May 2025). "WH Smith buyer 'faces 12-month ban' on mass shop closures". Sky News. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
External links
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