InterGlobe and Dufry announce travel retail foray through an exclusive tie up

InterGlobe and Dufry today announced their foray into the travel retail segment in India. InterGlobe Retail Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of InterGlobe Enterprises Limited, and Dufry International AG, Switzerland, have signed an agreement to establish and operate retail outlets under Dufry's Hudson News brand across various transportation nodes like airports, metro and train stations in India. Under this agreement, InterGlobe Retail and Dufry bring to India Hudson News Café - a unique and a refreshing format set to change the travel retail space. With around 48 outlets opening across all six existing lines of Delhi Metro, the Hudson News Café concept will revolutionize travel for the daily commuters by offering them a comprehensive selection of reading materials, and a wide range of snacks, bottled beverages, health and beauty aids and other travel convenience items.

A joint InterGlobe Retail and Dufry team will work with DMRC to develop around 2000 square meters of retail space throughout the DMRC network over the next six months. Hudson News is a well established and successful brand and retail concept of Dufry, which operates more than 500 Hudson News shops in 10 countries around the world.

The Delhi Metro transports approx 18-20 lakh commuters in a day and is one of the largest growing transport networks in India. This partnership will add greater relevance to the lives of the Delhi metro commuter as it brings to them a world class retail concept and solution.

Commenting on the announcement,Siddhanta Sharma, Director, InterGlobe Retail, "The retail industry in India is regarded as buoyant growth engine for the economy driven by strong domestic consumption growth and is expected to reach an estimated value of $640 billion by 2015. Our traditional stronghold in the travel domain equips us to harness the emerging opportunity in the travel retail segment and we are delighted to associate with Dufry and DMRC to roll out the country's first set of Hudson News Cafes across Delhi metro stations. With Dufry's global experience and extensive travel retail expertise, coupled with DMRC, the travel lifeline of Delhi, we are looking forward to redefine the travel retail experience for metro commuters. Over the next few years we will jointly expand our retail footprint nationally across major travel / transit points in the country."

Julian Diaz, CEO of Dufry Group, commented, "This association with InterGlobe marks our foray into the Indian market. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with tremendous potential in the travel retail segment. Together with InterGlobe we are looking forward to redefining convenience travel retailing in India, starting with Delhi as we deliver a truly unique shopping environment at the metro stations. InterGlobe and DMRC are both strong partners and we are convinced that this will prove to be a strong team for the further development of travel retail in India."

InterGlobe and Dufry jointly commissioned an in-depth market research to create a product offering specially tailored to needs of the Delhi Metro customers. Under the Hudson News brand, InterGlobe Retail aims to provide the best retail experience to the passengers by adapting each operation to the unique requirements of each station.

The Hudson News Café concept is designed carefully keeping the Indian customer in mind. With a vast array of products, the Café offers both global and local brands, giving equal prominence to both. Depending on the space feasibility, the store will be laid out in configurations ranging in size from more than 100 square meters to 10 square meters depending on feasibility and availability of space.