Hachette expands network

MMP Romania, the subsidiary of French press distribution group Hachette Distribution Services (HDS), has opened a third Relay shop, in Timisoara International Airport. This is the third shop in the Relay chain, following the opening of shops inside Henri Coanda International Airport and Gara de Nord, and the nineteenth in the entire country, including the Inmedio brand. The company has planned the opening of two more shops in Timisoara for September, meaning it could have 25 new points-of-sale by the end of 2005. Its representatives estimate the MMP-HDS network will eventually number 80 shops by 2008 through its two international brands, Relay (travel areas) and Inmedio (shopping centres). Both Relay and Inmedio have an area for customers in a hurry, who may only want to buy a packet of cigarettes or a newspaper, and a “discovery” area, where customers can buy books. ZF