Hachette expands in Czech market

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Finnish news retailer Rautakirja Group and travel retailer Hachette Distribution Services (HDS) have signed an agreement whereby the two companies will launch cooperation on news and gift trade in the Czech Republic

Aelia parent company HDS has a subsidiary operating news kiosks in the Czech Republic, which will now increase its share capital and become a jointly-owned enterprise with Rautakirja and HDS as the two equal owners.

Collaboration with HDS was launched last spring, when the first trial outlet branded as R-Kiosk opened in the Czech Republic. The new combined Czech venture will operate a total of 109 outlets in travel and high traffic locations with some 50% located in Czech airports, rail and metro stations operating under the HDS Relay name.

Rautakirja president and ceo Erkki Jarvinen said the company is aiming for an increased international presence and will continue to expand its kiosk trade into new markets outside existing operations in Finland, Estonia and Latvia.

Rautakirja vice president for international retail business Jukka Nikkinen commented: "Rautakirja is an interesting partner for HDS because of our know-how of modern kiosk and convenience store business in several markets. Combining these two areas of expertise will enable us to become the leading kiosk company in the Czech Republic."