ModelZone in WHSmiths

[graham22]

ModelZone is back

went into Smiths in Birmingham today and the have opened a section under the ModelZone banner
they have a selection of kits from various manufacturers, Hornby, Airfix etc have a strong presence
they stock Humbrol acrylics (yeah) and the range of products
much smaller than before but a welcome return to the high St
speaking to the assistant, who used to work for MZ its one of 9 that has been opened nationwide
Its a mini MZ, let's hope it works for smiths

[Lee]

What were the prices like Graham?

[graham22]

so so, mostly rrp , paints £1.49 but got a £5 off next time I spend £15 in store, some railways stuff had sale prices on but not many
some R/C stuff, some dicast cars and planes, and some tools,
similar to Hobbycraft but more focused

[DC87]

Graham, have they done the sensible thing and put all the scale modelling mags in the same area or are they all still hidden behind a pillar ( they are in my local smiths)?

This could be a silver lining in the future as WHSmiths being a large company have far more sway with manufacturers like Revell and Airfix etc and are more likely to by in bulk so we could see some of the newer kits at cheaper prices in the future.

[DCGC1551]

Hi
On reading your post had a word with the Mrs Re- W H & ModelZone.
And she informs me.The stores that are doing this at the moment are...
Birmingham.
Croydon.
Cardiff.
Gateshead Metro.
Manchester Arndale.
Meadowhall.
Reading.
Sauchiehall.
White City.
Price's are not what you would expect on-line and the product range is a little narrow.
Also some, not all seem to be directed at the younger/beginner end of the modelling spectrum.
W H Smiths are not Emodels or Models R go, and are never going be.
But if Dad buys little Johnny an Airfix Kit for Xmas and he gets the bug I think its a step in the right direction.

Dave C

[DC87]

Hi
On reading your post had a word with the Mrs Re- W H & ModelZone.
And she informs me.The stores that are doing this at the moment are...
Birmingham.
Croydon.
Cardiff.
Gateshead Metro.
Manchester Arndale.
Meadowhall.
Reading.
Sauchiehall.
White City.
Price's are not what you would expect on-line and the product range is a little narrow.
Also some, not all seem to be directed at the younger/beginner end of the modelling spectrum.
W H Smiths are not Emodels or Models R go, and are never going be.
But if Dad buys little Johnny an Airfix Kit for Xmas and he gets the bug I think its a step in the right direction.

Dave C

Thanks for that post Dave, your point about them not being a model retailer is spot on . It's great that this broadens the market, as sad as it is to see ModelZone on it's own gone. Walking trade only went into the zone to get scale kits, now someone may walk through the section in Smiths out of curiosity and BANG the hobby has gained another modeller.

If these ModelZone sections are not stocking kits such as the Revell 1/32 Red Arrows Hawk then they are doing something wrong as they are really affordable and perfect pressies.

[Gav0909]

Wow, one in the whole of Scotland. That sucks, not even one in Edinburgh!

[Colin]

I was in Aberdeen on Thursday and nothing there yet (I'd read somewhere else about this) hopefully more WH Smiths stores will have Modelzone, zones in the future