The guiding principle in NS’s retail policy is that we let the market do what it now can do. The HEMA station shops were transferred to HEMA BV on 1 October. In spring 2018, we conducted a market consultation for the commercial operation of Broodzaak, Starbucks and Smullers. As a result of this, the Broodzaak sales outlets were transferred to HMSHost on 1 December 2018, Starbucks to the catering company SSP on 1 January 2019 and Smullers to Lagardère on 1 February 2019. All 1,300 employees were informed and will have comparable terms of employment after the businesses change hands.
In line with its strategy, NS Stations will continue to operate the following formats: Kiosk (including vending machines), StationsHuiskamer, Railcatering, AH to go and Julia’s.

Improvements to formats

Last year, we started on further improvements of the Julia’s, Railcatering and Kiosk formats, the vending machines and StationsHuiskamer. These formats will remain part of NS Stations.