- Business
- Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) operates as a leading global travel retailer, specializing in duty-free and duty-paid shops, convenience stores, and food & beverage outlets across airports, motorways, cruise lines, seaports, railway stations, and central tourist areas. The company offers a diverse portfolio of products and services, including perfumes and cosmetics; food and confectionery; wines and spirits; clothing and accessories; tobacco goods; souvenirs and electronics; watches and jewelry; catering; and hybrid convenience concepts, marketed through brands such as Dufry, World Duty Free, Hudson, Autogrill, Nuance Group, Host, Reg Staer, Colombian Emeralds, and others. Founded in 1865 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Avolta employs approximately 77,000 people and conducts operations in over 77 countries across six continents, serving more than 2.5 billion passengers annually through over 5,100 outlets in 1,000 locations. In recent developments, Avolta completed its business combination with Autogrill in 2023, resulting in a name change from Dufry AG and a ticker symbol update to AVOL; secured two 10-year contracts at Washington Dulles International Airport to bolster North American growth; expanded its food & beverage footprint at Heathrow Airport with the introduction of the British brand Bill's as of December 2025; and reported strong Q3 2025 organic growth amid ongoing digital transformation and loyalty program expansions via Club Avolta. The company's diversified segments span Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, with major shareholders including Edizione Holding S.p.A. of the Benetton family.