Hachette Distribution Services has acquired 100% of NEWSLINK Pty Limited

HDS, which has held 40% of the capital since April 30th 2001, finalizes the acquisition of this young Australian company.

NEWSLINK, dynamically driven since 1990 by its founder, Roger Wood, developed a considerable network of retail outlets of cultural leisure products located in the Australian transportation areas and in the airport of Singapore.

Newslink operates today 52 stores under various brands such as “Newslink” (press and books), “Virgin” (music, books and video), “Discover” and “Kaboom” (regional and leisure products).

This acquisition is in line with HDS travel retail development strategy in the Asian-Pacific region in order to strengthen its world leadership.

With its international brands, RELAY and VIRGIN, its numerous store concepts dedicated to the air traveller which are developed by its subsidiary AELIA mainly in the airport duty free areas and its numerous regional brands, HDS manages throughout the world a network of more than 3,600 stores of which 1,200 are located in underground stations, railway stations and more than 80 airports in 15 countries in Europe, North-America and the Asian-Pacific region.

In 2003 the HDS turnover was 4.8 billion Euros; 68.1% of this turnover was generated outside France.