I’ll be honest: you probably shouldn’t care that much. But it’s fun to know! Next time someone says, “Did you hear WHSmith changed its name?” you can be the smug friend who explains the Modella situation. You’ll look like a retail genius.
Also, it means you can make jokes like: “I’m going to the WHSmith, but not that WHSmith, the one owned by the other company.” Nobody will laugh, but it’s a good dad joke for a rainy day.
And let’s not forget the nostalgia. Walking into a WHSmith feels like a time capsule. The carpet is still that weird blue. The magazine rack still has ten copies of Gardening Weekly. The name hasn’t changed because, deep down, we don’t want it to.
WHSmith unveils Scottish growth plans after opening flagship Edinburgh
Final Answer (No-BS Version)
If you’re standing in a town centre shop, it’s still called WHSmith, but now owned by Modella. If you’re at an airport, it’s still WHSmith, owned by the original company. If you’re online and trying to send a rude birthday card, that’s Funky Pigeon now.
See? Simple as a poorly folded map. You’re now officially clued up. Go forth and shop—or don’t. Either way, the name stays the same until further notice.
