World Duty Free Group has acquired 45 stores from three locations, including two airports, to complete its purchase of the travel retail division of HMSHost Corp.
The $19 million transaction involves stores at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Oakland International (OAK) and the Empire States Building. World Duty Free Group announced in October 2012 the plan to purchase HMSHost’s retail operations when both companies were headed by Autogrill Group. World Duty Free Group’s majority controlling stake has been held by the Benetton family since it was spun off from Autogrill and began trading independently in 2013.
Following the acquisition, World Duty Free Group will operate 33 stores at ATL, 12 stores at OAK and a single location at the Empire State Building. The transaction expands the company’s total holdings to 249 stores across 31 airports and two cultural locations.
