Western Union continues European retail push with WH Smith deal
Western Union is to install self-service kiosks in 300 of UK retailer WH Smith’s stores later this year. The kiosks allow customers to enter the details of money transfer transactions and then use the retailer’s self-checkout to pay.
The deal comes on the heels of an earlier announcement that the kiosks will be installed in 170 branches of Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money bureaux as Western Union expands its presence in the European retail market by working with UK retail groups as agents for its money transfer services.
In the US it has struck a similar deal with the Duane Reade pharmacy and convenience store chain, based primarily on the East Coast.
“Launching this new digital model in the UK with a well-established retailer like WH Smith is encouraging as we continue with our expansion across the UK retail space,” said Giovanni Angelini, senior vice president and general manager for Europe at Western Union. “We are continuing to diversify our network by concentrating on top British retail brands to offer convenience for new and existing customers.”
