Amsterdam-based high street staple Hema has bought nine of its own railway station shops from Dutch Rail NS effective 1 October, the company said in a statement.

The shops were formerly operated by Dutch Rail NS, which is divesting some of its non-rail operations. With the transaction, Hema will own 284 of its more than 500 stores in the Netherlands.  

Hema said all 300 employees in the station shops are being given a pay-and-conditions package similar to what they had under NS ownership.Hema said these high-traffic stores are very interesting because of their high sales per square metre ratios.

NS is also divesting its Smullers, Starbucks and De Broodzaak shops in its stations.