Lagardère Group

Lagardère Travel Retail Romania, a division of the global Lagardère Group, has been a prominent player in Romania's travel retail sector since 1996. The company specializes in operating stores within urban transit areas, including airports, railway stations, hospitals, shopping malls, and business centers.

It manages a network of over 300 stores across Romania, focusing on segments such as News & Convenience, Travel Essentials, Gifts & Souvenirs, and Foodservice. Key brands include Inmedio, Relay, 1Minute, HUB Convenience, So Coffee, and Pizza La Mia Stazione, offering products like press, convenience items, coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and quick meals tailored to travelers' needs.

In 2024, Lagardère Travel Retail expanded its presence with the opening of its first Duty Paid stores under the Aelia brand at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, following a tender win. These stores, spanning 2000 sqm, feature immersive shopping experiences with digital solutions like Click & Collect and Shop & Collect, alongside RELAY for essentials and Discover for local souvenirs. The company also operates So Coffee outlets, including a revamped location at Iasi International Airport with 56 seats and family-friendly features.

Lagardère Travel Retail Romania is active in most major Romanian airports, delivering all three business lines: Duty Paid, Travel Essentials, and Dining. Notable implementations include Microsoft Dynamics NAV and LS Central for centralized management, real-time inventory, and supply chain visibility across 55 cities, 8 airports, 184 shopping malls, and 32 district business centers.

Under CEO Marius Văcălău, the company emphasizes partnerships with local entrepreneurs and international brands to promote Romanian culture and enhance traveler services, particularly in light of Romania's Schengen integration. Its operations support a seamless ecosystem for passengers, combining global expertise with local adaptation.

Presence extends to food and beverage offerings like Bread&Co bakery concept planned for Romanian airports, alongside convenience stores providing essential travel products. This positions Lagardère Travel Retail Romania as an attractive partner for FMCG suppliers in food, drinks, and related categories within high-traffic travel locations.