HDS establishes a new ‘International Development Department, VIRGIN Travel Retail’

When Hachette Distribution Services acquired the French outlets of the VIRGIN MEGASTORE chain in July 2001, the company announced its intention to speed the development of the VIRGIN brand in France and in train stations and airports around the world.

Hachette Distribution Services is pleased to announce the establishment of an “International Development Department, Virgin Travel Retail.” This new department will be in charge of developing a VIRGIN retail store concept tailored specifically to the travel environment (train stations and airports), in collaboration with Virgin Stores (France).

Mr. Jean-Luc Chassigneux, currently a Director of Retail Projects with the company, will move to this new position on February 1, 2002.

Hachette Distribution Services (a division of Lagardère Media) specializes in the retailing of media and news products. The company is currently the world’s leading press distributor and operates the most extensive global network of outlets (3,600 stores) in its segment. In 2000, Hachette Distribution Services posted sales of €3.8 billion, 72% of which in international markets..