HDS gains a foothold in Australia

Hachette Distribution Services (HDS) gains a foothold in the Australian travel retail market, with the acquisition of 40 % of Newslink, an Australian travel retail chain operating press and book outlets located in transport centers.

On April 30th 2001 Hachette Distribution Services (HDS) took over 40 % of Newslink, a company which operates press and book outlets located in the main Australian transport centers (amongst others, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne airports, and the main Australian railway stations) and in Singapore airport. Newslink 2000 turnover was close to 40 million Euros.

According to Jean-Louis NACHURY, President and CEO of HDS, “this acquisition forms part of the international development strategy of the Group. The excellent relations that Roger WOOD, founder and Chairman of Newslink, has established with landlords and publishers will allow us to speed up our expansion in the Asia Pacific region to the benefit of passengers”.

For Roger WOOD, Chairman of Newslink, “this partnership with HDS will allow Newslink to reinforce its position as leader in the Australian market for retailing leisure and cultural products in transport centers.”

World leader in press distribution and a major player in the sales of leisure and cultural products, Hachette Distribution Services had a turnover of 3.8 billion Euros in 2000, which showed a 13 % increase compared with last year.