LS Travel Retail is teaming up with India’s F&B service provider Travel Food Services (TFS) in a joint venture designed to tap into the Indian airport retail market.

The first milestone of the partnership grants TFS concession rights for three Relay stores at Indira Gandhi International Aiport. Relay is a press and book store which sells newspapers and magazines, gifts, souvenirs and travellers’ needs.

“This partnership with LS travel retail is an extension of our focus areas and is in line with our vision to consolidate our position as a leading player in the travel retail segment,” said TFS chairman Sunil Kapur.

TFS operates concessions in Indian airports for F&B brands including Noodle Wok, Terminal F, Dilli Streat, Domino’s Pizza, Subway, KFC and Haagen-Dazs.

The new alliance underlines LS’s goal to become a leading payer in three key continents, with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region, says LS chairman and CEO Dag Rasmussen.

“Our partnership with TFS, a leader in travel-focused food and beverage operations in India, coupled with LS Travel Retail’s global expertise in duty free, news and convenience, and local operational excellence; we believe it will be a powerhouse of success for the region,” said Rasmussen.

LS Travel Retail plans to further boost its business in Asia Pacific with several developments in the pipeline including the expansion of concept store So Chocolate at Hong Kong and Changi international airports and the launch of four major fashion concessions in China.

GB