Belgian postal operator bpost, that yesterday gave a ‘final’ offer for a merger with PostNL, has announced that it has finalised the acquisition of the Belgian activities of Lagardere Travel Retail.

Bpost has now acquired 100% of the shares of the Belgian subsidiaries of the travel retail group, and it has been announced that the Belgian Competition Authority has already approved of the deal.

The postal operator has released a statement saying that it will now extend the activities of Lagardere Travel Retail with the opening of new points of sale, renovating existing outlets, diversifying the product and service range for the company’s customers and enlarging the karibol pick-up point network. This last effort will offer customers a wider range of parcel services as well as delivery options.

In addition, bpost is also to continue providing the press distribution service.

Another part of the deal agreed between the two companies is that bpost and Lagardere Travel Retail have signed a franchise agreement to operate and develop the international brands of Lagardere Travel Retail. These include Relay, hubiz, Hello!, So! Coffee and Hub convenience.

LS Distribution Benelux and Lagardère Services Travel Retail Benelux will change their name to Ubiway and Ubiway Retail respectively. The commercial entities such as AMP, the Press Shop/Relay network, the kariboo! pick-up points and the subsidiaries Alvadis and Burnonville will continue to operate under their existing name.

Now this acquisition is complete, it will be interesting to see whether bpost’s main target of acquisition, PostNL, is up for it.  
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