News this week that WH Smith has signed an exclusive deal with Penguin travel guides in their 460+ shops, including most airports and train stations has disgusted me. On the rare occasion I do purchase a guide book I want choice not restricted to a certain brand.
You will not be able to purchase guides from the likes of Frommer’s and Lonely Planet.
Last week I purchased an AA city guide to Venice from a WH Smith but I for one will be purchasing any future guide books prior to my arrival at the airport. My meagre purchase of the occasional guide book will not bring WH Smith to its feet, but I suspect I will not be the only person boycotting them.
Debate on the future of the guide book
You have to also think about the writers who write for smaller brands or are independent. The debate over the future of the travel guide book is one that has been discussed at length. If more outlets like WH Smith go down a similar route could this be the end of the travel guide book.
Money talks
I do not know why WH Smith have gone down this path, I suspect its because it’s a lucrative deal but for consumers it’s not right and it’ll only be a matter of time before we find out of if it’s the right decision. I am interested to read your comments on their decision.
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Andy Hayes | 10 June, 2009 at 11:14 am
Disappointing. If I only wanted to see Penguin guides, I’d go to Penguin’s website. As a writer of independent travel guides, I see this is quite poor and damaging. While I won’t comment on the quality of Penguin guides, I will say this is bad for the consumer.
Darren Cronian | 10 June, 2009 at 11:29 am
@ Andy
I agree for writers like yourself its not good at all. I want choice and WH Smith aren’t going to really provide me with that anymore.
nathalie amagat | 10 June, 2009 at 11:32 am
WhSmith are a “supermarket newsagent” and as such squeeze all the small independent publishers out for big deals and have been doing so for quite a while… Independent bookshops or newsagent (or the likes of Waterstone who can actually give you advice on books) are much much better. We’ll have to be more organised and not wait until we get to the airport where they overcharge us for everything. Have been avoiding Smith’s (and Tesco’s!) for this reason for a while now and hope that many more follow.
Darren Cronian | 10 June, 2009 at 11:42 am
@ Natalie
“We’ll have to be more organised and not wait until we get to the airport where they overcharge us for everything”
I completely agree. I will be more organised in future. I have to say its rare that I purchase a guide book but not having the time prior to my trip to research the destination forced me to buy a book to get the best out of Venice.
Dan | 10 June, 2009 at 11:50 am
Its very short sighted of WH Smith. At airports however, many people will just buy whatever is on offer.In the UK at least, WH Smith is usually the only place selling books.
Martino | 10 June, 2009 at 12:41 pm
WH Smith was the synonym of train/airport newsagents. What a disappointment. Well, they achieved location monopoly so can now dictate any rules they want. I guess it is up to us (online travel media) to educate travellers they can prepare their holiday in advance and that includes guidebook reviews and links to where they can get them. Travel guidebooks should not be an impulse purchase, but part of research.
Angela K. Nickerson | 10 June, 2009 at 11:05 pm
As the author of independent guidebooks, this is a blow to me as well. I know those last-minute purchases add up, too. I will no longer be shopping at WH Smith for books or anything else.
Colin | 11 June, 2009 at 5:38 pm
A very poor deal for the consumer. I will also be boycotting WH Smith from now onwards.
Henry Tjandra | 13 June, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Just curious how WH Smith done such things. Maybe they have new regulations in their management about things like this case.
Anyway, it is not right for consumers.
Trisha | 16 June, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Why grumble, we all have a choice; to buy or not to buy. A seasoned traveler will have the necessary guides with them. In the long term, WH Smith will be the one suffering because (and I’m sorry about this) book stores are in demise. Will I boycott? You bet.
Kate | 6 July, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I agree with Nathalie, and recommend doing your research before your trip. This will not only save you the hassle of dealing with bookstores who are limiting our options, but also take some of the stress out of your vacation. Plus, you don’t even have to spend a dime with free online travel guides.
Ryan | 17 September, 2009 at 7:38 pm
You either have to do research or go with a travel agent and do your research, there’s no easy way about it. I think books are a great way to go, but can be quickly outdates, online is much easier to update frequently.
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12 responses to “I’m boycotting WH Smith over travel guide books”