Aviation group InterGlobe has tied up with Switzerland-based Dufry International to establish and operate retail outlets under the brand Hudson News Café at various transportation nodes like airports, metro and train stations in the country.

InterGlobe Retail, a wholly-owned subsidiary of travel and aviation service provider InterGlobe Enterprises, and Swiss retail chain Dufry International AG have signed an agreement to this effect, the companies said in a joint statement.

As part of the country's first set of Hudson News Cafés, 48 retail outlets would be rolled out across all 6 existing lines of the Delhi Metro.

The outlets would offer reading materials, snacks, bottled beverages, health and beauty aids and other travel convenience items to daily commuters.

"We are delighted to associate with Dufry and DMRC to roll out the country's first set of Hudson News Cafés across Delhi metro stations. With Dufry's global experience and extensive travel retail expertise, coupled with DMRC, the travel lifeline of Delhi, we are looking forward to redefine the travel retail experience for metro commuters," InterGlobe Retail Director Siddhanta Sharma said.

"Over the next few years, we will jointly expand our retail footprint nationally across major travel/transit points in the country," Sharma added.

A joint InterGlobe Retail and Dufry team would work with DMRC to develop around 2,000 square metres of retail space throughout the DMRC network over the next 6 months, the statement added.

Commenting on the partnership, Dufry Group CEO Julian Diaz said, "Together with InterGlobe, we are looking forward to redefining convenience travel retailing in India, starting with Delhi, as we deliver a truly unique shopping environment at the metro stations."

The Hudson News brand is a retail concept of Dufry, which operates more than 500 Hudson News shops in 10 countries around the world.

PTI