Hachette formalises Virgin Travel Retail division

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Leading airport retailer Hachette Distribution Services has established a new international development department, Virgin Travel Retail, to develop the Virgin brand in travel centres (rail stations as well as airports) around the world.

When Hachette Distribution Services acquired the French outlets of the Virgin Megastore chain in July 2001 (TRW 27/7/01) the company announced its intention to speed the development of the Virgin brand in France and travel-retail locations.

Hachette Distribution Services said this new department will be in charge of developing a Virgin retail store concept tailored specifically to the travel environment, in collaboration with Virgin Stores (France).

Jean-Luc Chassigneux, formerly a director of retail projects with the company, moved to head the new business on 1 February 1 2002.

• Hachette Distribution Services (a division of Lagardére Media) specialises in the retailing of media and news products and is the parent of duty-free operator Duty Free Associates. The company is the world's leading press distributor and operates the most extensive global network of outlets (3,600 stores) in its segment. In 2000, Hachette Distribution Services posted sales of Eur3.8bn ($3.3bn), 72% in international markets.