WHSmith North America Honored at 2026 AXN Conference Awards for Locally Inspired Retail Concepts
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LAS VEGAS – WHSmith North America, America’s leading specialty retailer in the airport marketplace, received recognition at the 2026 Airport Experience News (AXN) Conference Awards Ceremony for its ongoing leadership in creating authentic, locally inspired retail spaces in airports throughout the United States. The company won two major awards, including:
- Best Local-Inspired Store – Medium/Small Airports: Hello From Portland at Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Best Local-Inspired Store – Large Airports: Motown Greatest Hits Travel Shop at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
These awards show WHSmith North America’s commitment to developing retail concepts that reflect the culture and identity of the cities and communities they serve. They also acknowledge the creativity and high performance of WHSmith’s field teams and partners who make these concepts a reality every day.
“We are incredibly proud of these honors, which show our commitment to celebrating local culture while providing an excellent retail experience for travelers,” said Huw Crwys-Williams, CEO of WHSmith North America. “Our teams work hard to create stores that feel genuine to each community, and these awards prove their passion and dedication.”
Along with two category wins, WHSmith North America received nominations in various competitive award categories at the conference. These included Best Overall Retailer – Large Operator, Retailer With the Highest Regard for Customer Service – Large Operators, and Best Local Concessions Management Team in both Large and Medium/Small Airport categories.
The AXN Awards are among the airport industry’s most respected acknowledgments, recognizing outstanding achievements in retail, dining, and customer experience. The annual program honors operators who improve airport environments through innovation, operational excellence, and meaningful community connections.
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About WHSmith North America
WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with more than 1,700 stores in over 30 countries. In 2018, the company acquired InMotion, the largest airport-based technology retailer in North America, and in 2019, it acquired Marshall Retail Group (MRG), a leading specialty retailer in the airport and casino-resort marketplace. WHSmith North America, which includes MRG and InMotion, now operates more than 340 specialty retail stores in airports and resorts across the continent.
Media Contacts:
Kirvin Doak Communications