HDS Inmedio plans to add 35 new stores in 2010

Newsroom 25/01/2010 | 10:22

Media distribution and travel retailer HDS Inmedio, subsidiary of Lagardere Services, plans to open 35 new stores this year in Romania, after already reaching a network of 150 units throughout the country. HDS Inmedio runs shops under

the Inmedio and Relay brands, having entered the local market in 2003. “Although the retail and real estate markets have been affected by the crisis, the expansion potential for our network in Romania is still high. We estimate that we will open over 35 stores this year. Considering the potential at national level, the expansion plans will continue in the next two-three years,” said Jean Luc Chassigneux, general manager of HDS Inmedio.

The chain’s network reached 50 stores in 2007 and doubled its size in 2008. Inmedio and Relay are visited by 1.4 million customers each month, according to the firm.

HDS Inmedio is the Romanian subsidiary of Lagardere Services, a company which runs 4,000 stores in 21 countries and posted a cumulated turnover of EUR 3.5 billion in 2008. Lagardere Services’ portfolio includes stores which run under brands such as Relay, Virgin, Inmedio and Payot.

In Romania, Relay shops are located in transit areas, such as airports, railway stations and metro stations, while Inmedio outlets operate in areas with high traffic, such as shopping gallerias, business centers and hotels.