HMSHost wins merchandising award

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Autogrill's US airport retail subsidiary was presented with the award for excellence in mainline merchandising by two US publishing bodies

HMSHost's merchandising efforts at its airport news outlets has been recognized by The Magazine Publishers of America and the International Periodical Distributors Association. The two associations have awarded the company their 2005 award for excellence for merchandising in the transportation/bookstore/speciality/military category.

Nominees for the award were judged on the creativity of merchandise displays, effectiveness of product groupings, and productivity of promotional vehicles, advertising, and special displays. HMSHost president and CEO John McCarthy said he was delighted with the award.

"HMSHost is very proud to receive such a prestigious award," he said. "Magazines are one of the most important products in the travel sector, so to be recognized by the magazine industry for the creativity and effectiveness of our retail stores is quite an honor. Our retail team works extremely hard to deliver the best periodical and readable offering in the business."

In November 2003 the travel-retail and catering group signed a seven-year contract to develop and operate 17 news stores at Houston Intercontinental airport, where it has created a fully automated kiosk capable of printing more than 150 international and national newspapers.