Retail at the station
Retail at large stations is varied and offers passengers a clear and quick choice. Retail at regional stations meets passengers’ basic needs. NS ensures that the retail offering provides sufficient variety and guarantees a basic range by operating several chain stores itself: Kiosk, AH to go, the Station Living Rooms and Julia’s. Other retail chains are operated by market players.
Range and convenience
NS Stations aims to adapt the range of retail chains to our passengers’ needs. In 2024, we introduced new products in several retail chains and aligned the product range more closely with the season. Through our activities, we offer options to encourage a healthier lifestyle as described in the National Prevention Agreement (Smoke-free Generation, Less Overweight and Less Excessive Alcohol Consumption). We are doing this in phases, including stopping counter promotions on unhealthy impulse purchases, focusing on sugar-free soft drinks, ceasing promotions on alcohol and energy drinks, and reducing sugar and salt in bake-off products (such as croissants and sausage rolls).
We want to offer passengers plant-based alternatives. We are increasingly doing so, for example by offering oat milk and vegetarian products at no extra cost. We are also raising awareness of these options among our customers through campaigns and communications.
Developments in 2024
The year 2024 saw the AH to go retail chain at stations celebrate its 25th anniversary. Five AH to go shops were also renovated in 2024 and we opened one new shop at Den Haag Hollands Spoor station.
Temporary Kiosk shops opened at Venlo station and in the west tunnel of Amsterdam Central this year due to the renovations at the station.
The new Ede-Wageningen station opened with a temporary Kiosk shop in 2024, which was replaced later that year by a Station Living Room with the extra addition of a place to work. We also opened a Station Living Room at Deventer station. At Oss station, the Kiosk shop was replaced with a Station Living Room. Like in the Kiosk shops, digital screens were installed in the Station Living Rooms to display product information and promotions.
The Julia's branch in Amsterdam Central's IJhal was transformed into an attractive shop, with seating and views over the IJ and four ‘place your order’ columns improving speed for passengers. The Julia's shop in Leiden Central underwent an upgrade. NS has discontinued the Luca's brand, which was introduced in 2021. The shops have been converted to Julia's.
Three Station Living Rooms will close on 1 January 2025: at Arnhem Central, The Hague Central and Rotterdam Central stations. These stations now have many other catering facilities that provide passengers with a warm place to wait. NS is looking for a new use for the spaces previously occupied by the Station Living Rooms.