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GERMANY/IRELAND. Leading inflight caterer LSG Sky Chefs is to acquire the remaining shares in onboard retail specialist Retail inMotion and full ownership of parent Media inMotion, based in Ireland.
The ratification of the deal is pending approval by the antitrust authorities.
Retail inMotion specialises in the procurement and distribution of Buy on Board products, management of Buy on Board programmes and IT support through proprietary software. Media inMotion’s portfolio includes hardware and software solutions for inflight retail.
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LSG Sky Chefs and Retail inMotion have been collaborating since early 2013, when LSG Sky Chefs acquired shares in the company. Since then, together the companies have developed and implemented onboard retail programmes for a number of customers, including Germanwings, SunExpress and SN Brussels.
Dr. Joe Elias, Founder and CEO of Retail inMotion, will retain his role and continue to manage the business. Stefan Patermann, who has led LSG Sky Chefs’ onboard retail business in Europe in recent years, has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Retail inMotion.
“This deal is an important strategic step in our effort to offer airlines complete onboard retail and inflight entertainment solutions beyond our extensive catering, logistics and equipment capabilities,” said Erdmann Rauer, CEO of LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG, the parent company of LSG Sky Chefs. “As market and customer requirements are changing at a rapid pace, this move enables us to better respond to and proactively address consumer and customer needs, which call for increased individualization and flexibility.”
“In addition to the skills and expertise in onboard retail management and technology, Retail inMotion and its customers will benefit from the operational strengths and experience that LSG Sky Chefs has earned over the decades,” added Joe Elias.
