The popular British bookstore chain WHSmith is opening up their first location in Kuwait at the Kuwait Airport. The signage caught me by surprise since I don’t remember ever reading WHSmith was coming to Kuwait. I wonder if the That AL Salasil branch at The Avenues will also be converted to WHSmith?
26 replies on “WHSmith opening soon at the airport”
strange, i was at the airport bout two weeks back and they were already open.
I don’t know about that but I took this picture last night.
I think he meant that the old store was open.
Slightly related: Is it true that there is an Arabic version of 50 Shades of Grey? That would be hilarious!
I am so happy about this!, This is great news!. I hope they’ll have some good books to offer and a decent magazine section.
Is it after immigration/emigration? Are they going to ban everything though, it might be futile to buy a book there? I even have to fly to Dubai to buy my Emirates Woman monthly magazine which is banned here and that is an Emirati publication?
P.S. Did you notice all the closed gates for remodelling? Are they going to open them for the peak summer travel season?
P.S. again….if only we could have more check-in desks?#$%$ They need to upgrade the xray machines also – what a security joke!I guess ‘key money’ rules in this town over airport necessities.
Lets see if they got something interesting , for goodness sake , All the books i wanted to read is banned here …
iTunes/Kindle/Something. Dunno why people still care about bookstores when I can hear about a book and get it on my iPad within seconds. Digital is good!
iTunes and Kindle don’t work if you dont have a US address.
I’ve been using iTunes without a US address, put in a fake address and buy US iTunes credit from anywhere.
Watch they will only sell arabic books – that’ll get those expats!!!!!!
The one in arrivals is open.
Funny how the transliteration is all messed up. Could’ve been more accutate with ‘Zaat Al Salasil’.
That Al Salasil will be pronounced exactly as it is spelt.
What does that stupid name even mean?
That Al Salasil (loosely translated as the Battle of Chains) is the historic name of a battle that occured between the Prophet’s successors and the Persians in the year 633. It took place in Kathma, north of Kuwait.
OK, that makes some sense then. Still a weird name for a bookshop. Weren’t the Persians mulsims by then?
They became muslims two decades after the battle in the year 651 A.D.
That isn’t pronounced Zaat if you pronounce Arabic words correctly
Niether is it pronounced ‘That’ if you pronounce both English and Arabic correctly.
That and ذات are pronounced exactly the same…
FINALLY, YES! YES YES! WOOO!
Both That Al Salasil branches in the airport accommodate WH Smith. However, the one in the arrival is open & sells both Arabic & English novels & the stores are half WH Smith & half That Al Salasil.
Personally, I still go the Kuwait Bookstore Company in Al-Muthana Complex for books.
Woohooo! we need a good book store! hopefully they do open in the Avenues! 😀 can’t wait!
Let’s face it. Kuwait has never had a decent bookstore and I’ve been living here since 1984. Let’s hope something changes!
Nice to see WHsmith @ Kuwait airport