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Autogrill’s latest deal extends its presence in Russia |
RUSSIA. Autogrill Group has entered an agreement with leading Russian oil & gas operator Rosneft to develop the Acafè brand in Russia.
The brand will appear in seven new service stations on main traffic arteries linking the metropolitan area of Sochi to the airport, the Olympic village and Krasna Poljana, where the 22nd Winter Olympics will be held from 7 to 23 February.
“Following our start up at St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport last September we’ve been developing business in Russia with the collaboration of a strategic partner like Rosneft, with which we plan to explore growth opportunities in the country’s travel channels,” said Autogrill CEO Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos.
Autogrill said the move would enable Rosneft, an official sponsor of the 2014 Winter Olympics, to offer its consumers “an icon brand symbolising the Italian café and snack bar tradition” in new-generation service areas that are managed by the Moscow-based company.
Introduced in 2003 as a snack bar integrating the traditional café with an assortment of patisserie and sandwiches, the Acafè concept has been developed over the last ten years by Autogrill. In addition to 250 points of sale in Italy, Autogrill has since established Acafè in France, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece and Slovenia.
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Autogrill and Rosneft management unveil one of the new stores close to Sochi; pictured above are (left to right) HMSHost International CEO Walter Seib, Rosneft Director of the Regional Sales Department Avril Mary-Ann Conroy and OJSC Rosneft-Kubannefteproduct General Manager Alexey Safronov |
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