Hellenic Duty Free Shops (HDFS) yesterday reported that its net profit rose by 10% in the first nine months of 2006 to E.35.9m, compared with E.32.6m over the same period last year.

EBITDA rose by 12.5% to E.54.2m compared with E.48.1m over the same period in 2005. The Greek travel retailer said that cost savings had resulted in operating and administration expenses falling to 28.1% of total sales from 28.3% for the same period last year. Nine month group sales were reported up 9.2% to E.217.4m from E.199.1m last year.