Dufry reveals ambitious expansion plans for Hudson; speciality retailer to open 7,295sq m at North American airports – 03/04/09

INTERNATIONAL. Dufry today unveiled ambitious expansion plans for its Hudson Group subsidiary, including 7,295sq m of new space set to come on stream at major North American airports. The news came as Dufry announced its annual results for 2008, which we reported earlier.

“Today we are announcing the addition of more than 7,000sq m of new space at North American airports for Hudson,” said Chief Executive Officer Julián Díaz during a post-2008 results analysts’ briefing and conference call this morning.

Among the key locations are Cleveland Airport, where Hudson will add 1,222sq m, Orlando International (1,037sq m), Orlando Sanford (696sq m), Miami North Terminal (671sq m) and Newark (597sq m split between Terminals A and C).

Dufry today unveiled big plans for Hudson Group’s expansion


Dufry also revealed plans to expand Hudson’s international footprint. This includes 5,228sq m of space across its regions.

Diaz added: “We will introduce new speciality concepts through the company, including Victoria’s Secret stores, which will open soon, plus other concepts that we will announce later.”

He said the group would also upgrade underperforming Hudson stores, implement best practice category management, reorganise certain functions and introduce Dufry’s back office systems to the Hudson network.

Diaz said he expected Hudson profits to rise by around +40% in 2009, or around CHF12 million (US$10.5 million), plus the group will introduce savings of around CHF8 million (US$7 milllion) in the year ahead through the integration of Hudson.

MORE STORIES ON HUDSON GROUP

Hudson donates 30,000 pairs of glasses to the needy – 02/04/09

Dufry completes merger with Hudson; plans US$17.5 million in synergies and global roll-out – 16/10/08

Dufry takes full control of US$446 million Hudson Group; plans global duty paid retail expansion – 04/09/08

Hudson Group’s Boswell’s Music City Harley-Davidson store roars into Nashville International Airport – 29/08/08

[comments]

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine