Heinemann and Casualfood announce JV

Gebr Heinemann is teaming up with Orior Group subsidiary Casualfood in a joint venture called Smartseller, catering to small and midsize airports in Europe.

The Smartseller project brings the core competencies of the two companies together to create a novel shopping and consumer experience: integrating the unique grab-and-go outlets and the duty-free and travel-value products into a cohesive concept. It will be piloted at Münster Osnabrück Airport in Germany then implemented at two or three small- and medium-size locations. Scale-up and roll-out at other sites throughout Europe is scheduled for 2021.

The joint venture will operate as an independent company under the management of Heinemann’s Karl Niendorf, with Heinemann and Casualfood each holding a 50% stake. Regulatory approval of the joint venture is still pending.