Seven stores will debut by Easter 2017.

UK convenience retailer, WHSmith, has been awarded a five-year contract for the operation of seven stores in Athens International Airport (ATH) in partnership with Miller Distributors. The contract is an extension of a partnership that is already in place between the two companies in Malta.

The ATH stores mark WHSmith’s debut in Greece and are planned to open by next Easter for the start of the 2017 tourist season. They will offer a broad range of products from Greek and international newspapers, magazines and books to confectionery, souvenirs, digital accessories and travel essentials.

WHSmith International Chairman, Louis de Bourgoing, comments: “Securing the Athens contract is another key milestone in our European development strategy. It follows recent contract wins in Alicante and Dusseldorf airports.”

All of the shops will be revamped with a design-focused contemporary look following a transition period from the current operator. “The store designs will reflect the principles of the recent and planned refurbishments of the overall airport terminal and will include the relocation of two of the existing stores and the conversion to the WHSmith brand of the remaining five stores, says the UK retailer.

Miller Distributors CEO, Malcolm Miller, says: “This is an exciting development for our retail business. With the strong upturn in tourism in Greece and the gradual improvement in the economy, these stores will offer customers an improved experience in travel retail, both in range and presentation.” ATH is the main airport in Greece and handled 18.1m passengers in 2015.