Hudson Group, one of the largest travel retailers in North America, is a wholly owned subsidiary of international travel retailer Dufry AG (DUFN) of Basel, Switzerland. Based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Company operates more than 970 Hudson, Hudson News, Hudson Booksellers, cafes, specialty retail and duty-free shops in 87 airports and transportation terminals in the United States and Canada, and operates in 24 of the top 25 busiest airports in North America.
The company's holdings include Hudson News, the world's largest operator of airport newsstands.[1]
History
In 1918, Isaac Cohen began a newspaper distribution company in Bayonne, New Jersey, Hudson County News, which later expanded to magazine distribution. In 1947, under the leadership of Robert B. Cohen, Hudson County News began delivering magazines in Hudson County, New Jersey.
In 1987, Robert B. Cohen hired Mario DiDomizio, who then developed and founded the first branded Hudson News store in LaGuardia Airport, creating a new era in travel retail. [2] Over the years, Hudson News became North America's largest airport newsstand retailer.[1]
This group was renamed Hudson Group Retail Specialists in 1998, reflecting the expansion from newsstands into cafés, bookstores and speciality retail.
In 2008, private equity firm Advent International acquired the Company, and merged Swiss duty-free retailer Dufry AG (DUFN.S) of Basel, Switzerland with its U.S. airport retailer Hudson Group. Under the terms, Hudson Group became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dufry AG.
In 2011, Hudson Group was given responsibility for Dufry's duty-free operations in North America, expanding its travel retail scope. Later, in 2013, Hudson Group debuted the new “Hudson” travel essentials concept, which had evolved from its "Hudson News" roots to focus on travel essentials.
Over time, Hudson Group's retail portfolio expanded even further, and it is now one of the largest travel retailers in North America.
Present
Hudson Group is managed by Joseph DiDomizio, President and CEO. The Company currently employs nearly 10,000 people and operates over 970 retail units and duty-free shops in 87 airports and transportation terminals in North America.
Locations
The Company operates more than 970 stores throughout North America, mainly in airports and commuter terminals.
Reflecting its Northern New Jersey/New York City roots, the company also operates outlets in New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the United Nations Gift Centre inside United Nations Headquarters (not to be confused with the UN's own bookstore), and the iconic Empire State Building.
In 2016, Hudson Group expanded its footprint to also operate retail outlets in Las Vegas hotels.
