WHSmith has launched a new website dedicated to entertainment, despite previously stating it will back out of games, DVD and CDs.

WHSmith Entertainment has been launched in collaboration with white label specialist The Hut, and features over 200,000 products. However, the High Street giant has reiterated its desire to reduce its games offer in stores, instead focusing on a ‘tailored’ offer.

“Our strategy for entertainment remains the same – we are continuing to gradually reduce our presence in this category,” a WHSmith spokesperson
told MCV.

“The aim of our new site is to offer an entertainment range for our online customers and we’ll continue to review how we develop the offer going forward.

“The new site has over 200,000 entertainment products including new and upcoming DVDs, CDs and games, with a range of games consoles to suit all ages. Whether customers are looking for the latest chart titles or some great deals, it has something to suit everyone.

“In addition to the new website, we will continue to provide a tailored convenience offer in our High Street stores.”

WHSmith’s entertainment offer hit trouble before Christmas following the collapse of EUK, and at the time the firm told MCV that it was continuing its strategy to leave games and focus instead on books and news.

A WHSmith spokesperson said: “The EUK collapse did not come as a complete surprise to us, although the timing was particularly unhelpful.

“Long-term trends in entertainment look set to continue. We are continuing to implement our strategy to reduce our presence in entertainment to focus instead on books, news and stationery.”