RELAY, a new Name in the World of Travel Retail

On 11. January 2000, Hachette Distribution Services (HDS) launches Relay, the new leading international brand dedicated to the sale of news products in transport areas. With 1,000 sales outlets in ten countries and 2,500 employees, Relay has the largest international network of retail outlets located in airports, railway and subway stations.

Relay

’s mission is to make each trip more enjoyable, whether a short or an international journey, a daily or exceptional trip, by offering travelers reading and leisure products.

A pioneer in this sector of activity, with the creation by Louis Hachette of the first “railway station bookstore” in Paris in 1852, HDS has developed a strong specialization and unequalled know-how in the sale of news products in transport areas which today constitutes a strategic pillar of the Group’s offer.

For Jean-Louis Nachury, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hachette Distribution Services : “The launch of Relay marks a decisive step for HDS. By giving a unique name, the same identity and the same brand to all our shops in airports, railway and subway stations, we commit ourselves to offering all travelers the same standard of quality and service. We also intend to offer our partners, landlords and publishers, the expertise and the prestige of an international leading brand“.

Travel retail is a rapidly expanding market. Reinforced by an increase in the number of travelers (+5 to 7% each year) and the development of the commercial offer in railway stations and airports, in 1998 the travel retail market represented a turnover of 80 billion euros and should grow at a rate of 5 % per year in the years to come.

The creation of Relay gives HDS the means to achieve its ambition : to be known and recognized everywhere in the world as the leading player in the travel retail market.

Web site : http://www.relay-web.com