New Delhi, Nov 10: Soon, Delhi Metro commuters can read, eat, buy books, mobile coupons and travel accessories from a single cafe at 57 stations in the national capital with global brand Hudson News Cafe setting up its stores.
The shops, which will come up in the next six months at major Metro stations across the National Capital Region, will offer commuters a wide range of food, beverages, magazines, books, electronics and other items.
It is the first time that the Hudson News Cafe, globally-renowned retail chain brand, is making its foray into the growing Indian market.
Work on setting up the stores has already begun and InterGlobe Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indigo Airlines, and Swiss retail chain Dufry International AG have signed an agreement to open the stores under the brand name of 'Hudson News Cafe', DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal said.
Dufry International has acquired Hudson News, which is a leading travel news, books and convenience retailer in the US.
The shops, most of which will be located at stations with high footfall, will have a comprehensive and wide selection of food and beverages, newspapers, magazines, books, health & beauty aids, electronics, mobile recharge and travel accessories.
Currently, Delhi Metro stations have cafes and eateries. "The Café area will provide food and beverages ideal for the commuters such as quick breakfasts, light meals and so on," Dayal said.
Kiran Singh, General Manager - Marketing Communications of InterGlobe Enterprises Limited, said work has already begun and all efforts would be made to open a few stores before the six month timeline.
Singh said the size of the stores will vary from station to station and footfall and visibility of the stores are the majority criteria for setting them.
The Hudson News Cafe currently operates more than 500 shops across ten countries across the globe.
Among the 57 shops allotted, 20 are built up shops while another 37 will be bare sites within the Metro station premises.
"The total contract period will be 15 years and about 2,000 square metres have been provided as space to them. A joint team of InterGlobe Retail and Dufry will work with DMRC to develop the space over the next six months," Dayal said.
Hudson News Café is the first major travel retail brand at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation network.
