Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi will be the first Asian sites for British bookseller WHSmith later this year.

Working in partnership with local news and convenience retailer Bison Stores, owner of myNEWS.com, WHSmith will open this summer in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, offering customers a wide selection of books, as well as a large range of magazines, stationery, travel accessories and convenience products. Two stores in Langkawi Airport are also planned to open this summer.

The three new airport stores mark a significant expanded focus for the well-known chain which dominates UK magazine and book market and has stores as far flung as Australia, India and the Middle East.

With more than 1100 stores both in the UK and across the world, WHSmith describes itself as a staple at travel locations including airports and railway stations, offering a wide range of newspapers, books, magazines, confectionery and drinks for travellers.

Faizah Khairuddin, Malaysia Airports’ senior GM commercial services, said travelling presents a great opportunity to read books and magazines.

“With the opening of WHSmith, passengers will have access to a wide range of reading material from a world class book store, underscoring the Malaysian Government’s drive towards a deeper appreciation of reading. 

“Additionally, WHSmith’s expertise in operating in fast paced travel environments with a truly unique integrated product offer on hand to meet all travel needs, including travel essentials, snacks and drinks means international passengers travelling through Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi will be superbly catered for,” she said.

WHSmith has more than 600 high street stores and 580 retail units in airports, railway stations, hospitals, workplaces and motorway service areas.