Dufry says unifying its travel retail business and Autogrill’s food and beverage concession operations under the new Avolta brand will provide customers with a more ‘holistic travel experience’
Las Americas International Airport, Dominican Republic | Photo credit: Dufry
Global travel retailer Dufry has unveiled a new brand identity – Avolta – to ‘visually and operationally’ unify its merger with Italian travel foodservice group Autogrill.
The two companies finalised their partnership in July 2023, with the new entity expected to generate annual revenues of around CHF 13.6bn ($13.8bn).
Basel-based Dufry said unifying the two businesses under the Avolta brand, which comprises some 8,800 points of sales around the world, would leverage stronger profitability and cash flow and reduce vulnerability to macro-economic headwinds.
The move also advances Dufry’s Destination 2027 strategy, which seeks to ‘revolutionise the travel experience’ via enhanced collaboration with brand partners, a diversified global presence, particularly in North America and Asia Pacific, reinvesting in growth and implementing sustainablity across its operations.
“We see a great opportunity emerging from the changing traveller and customer expectations and their boosted appetite to travel. Our Destination 2027 strategy set our ambition to create a Travel Experience Revolution, and Avolta is the vessel that will help us navigate this journey with success. Avolta encapsulates our expanded vision and commitment to innovating the traveller-centred experience with enhanced digital engagement,” said CEO Xavier Rossinyol.
Moving forward, all Dufry and Autogrill corporate brands will transition to the Avolta identity. Dufry will also ask its shareholders to approve the new name for its holding entity.
Founded in 1865, Basel-headquartered Dufry currently operates 5,500 points of sale across 75 markets globally, encompassing the duty-free, food and beverage and travel retail segments. Milan-based Autogrill manages more than 3,300 food and beverage units across 300 food and beverage brands including licensed Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Panera Bread, Pret A Manger and Dunkin' stores alongside its own branded concepts. The travel concession specialist is present in 30 countries and generated €4.1bn revenues in 2022.