PW: WH Smith Buys U.S. Airport Bookstores

The company reports a 60% increase in online sales in the U.K. There are plans to introduce WH Smith's new online format, currently being tested in the U.K. Customers can log on using computers in the store, send and receive e-mails, order books to be picked up at their destination and make hotel reservations.

WHS already owns 500 outlets in the U.S., and last month paid approximately $19 million for Hazelwood Enterprises, which runs bookstores in 70 hotels in the American Southwest.