Engage Local Communities

“Creating durable bonds with the communities by supporting social and economic development.”

Sustainability hero image 2023

At Avolta, community engagement is part of who we are and a reflection of our values. Across the 70 countries where we operate, we strive to create positive and lasting change by supporting local communities, contributing to their development, and strengthening the social and economic fabric around our business.

Avolta is committed to Supporting Communities – creating meaningful connections with the places we serve and contributing to the growth of local economies.

We recognize that sustainable business practices are inseparable from the well-being of local communities. This is why we actively invest in initiatives that drive economic growth, foster inclusion, and promote environmental stewardship. In 2025, over 25 % of our products (by COGS) were sourced from local suppliers, directly supporting local enterprises and generating shared value in the communities where we operate.

Supporting charitable institutions and causes has long been an integral part of Avolta’s mission, shaping its growth and evolution as a way of giving back to society. Building on this legacy, our Community Engagement strategy strengthens our ability to create meaningful, measurable impact through a focused set of social and
environmental priorities:

  • Education for disadvantaged children and adolescents
  • Healthcare support for people with special needs
  • Support and training for vulnerable groups
  • Combating poverty and food insecurity
  • Access to clean water and sanitation
  • Ocean plastic cleanup and environmental stewardship.

 

To ensure these priorities remain aligned with the realities of local communities, Avolta conducted a survey in 2024 across a statistically representative sample of over 2,000 team members. The findings confirmed the relevance of these focus areas and highlighted the importance of connecting global priorities with local insights and experiences – a foundation for sustainable impact.

In 2025, we continued to scale our community impact, delivering more than 200 initiatives (2024: 300) and partnering with about 190 non-profit organizations (2024: 220). These included educational, social, and environmental projects, cultural events, and emergency support – often driven by the commitment and creativity of our team members. Volunteering is one of the most powerful expressions of Avolta’s culture in action. Every year, hundreds of team members around the world dedicate their time, skills, and energy to support local causes – from mentoring young people and distributing food to assisting with community events and recovery efforts.

Together with these personal commitments, Avolta contributed over CHF 13.7 million (+42 % vs 2024) to community initiatives – 22 % through direct donations, 62 % inkind contributions, and 16 % through fundraising. These combined efforts reflect Avolta’s conviction that true impact comes from both collective action and individual contribution – and that by working together, we can make every journey matter more.

Our corporate community initiatives – both at the company and country levels – focused on combating poverty, food insecurity, and social exclusion within local communities. Avolta supported disadvantaged children and their families by expanding access to education and healthcare, while providing humanitarian aid to communities affected by natural disasters and socio-political crises, including those in Ukraine. In many cases, our team members have also been actively involved, participating in the selection of charity initiatives or engaging directly through volunteering programs.

Avolta’s commitment to creating meaningful and lasting community impact was recognized at the 2025 Frontier Awards, where our Social Program in Brazil (Cidadania, Trabalho e Aprendizagem) received international recognition for its support and measurable contribution to local communities. This achievement reflects our ambition to design programs that go beyond philanthropy – initiatives that combine social purpose with our operational expertise to deliver lasting, replicable impact.

In 2026, Avolta will continue to evolve its approach to community engagement, striving to deepen its impact and strengthen the connection between our business and the communities we serve.

Stakeholder Value Allocation
Avolta contributes to the development of the economies of countries where it operates through the payment of fair and competitive salaries, taxes, and the purchase of local products and services. As a way of assessing the economic impact of its business, Avolta annually discloses its stakeholder value allocation, which reflects the direct monetary impact of its operations on its main stakeholders.

The stakeholder value calculation is based on Avolta’s CORE EBIT plus personnel expenses. It does not comprise values allocated to business stakeholders, such as suppliers or concession partners.

The accrued value allocated reached CHF 3,741 million in fiscal year 2025 (2024: CHF 3,648 million). Out of this amount, CHF 2,778 million (2024: CHF 2,749 million) was allocated to our employees in the form of remuneration, retirement benefits, social security payments, and other personnel expenses. CHF 130 million (2024: CHF 134 million) were interest expenses paid to our bondholders and lending banks. Income taxes to public authorities and communities amounted to CHF 133 million in 2025 (2024: CHF 120 million), across the countries where we operate.

The dividend payment, which the Board of Directors is proposing to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 6, 2026, of CHF 1.15 per registered share, amounts to a total of CHF 163 million, and if approved by the AGM, will be paid to shareholders in May 2026.

Supporting Communities

 

Additionally, Avolta contributes every year to a wide range of social initiatives.

The initiatives and projects described below represent some of the most prominent projects we support. The progress made and the encouraging results of our ongoing support for these initiatives make us feel very proud and serve as an incentive to strengthen our ties with them.

 

Health care support for people with special needs

 

Eugenio Andrades’ Legacy
The Eugenio Andrades’ Legacy is a living tribute to the life and values of Eugenio Andrades († in 2023), a deeply respected leader at Avolta and a passionate advocate of fair opportunities and social engagement. Created in close collaboration with Eugenio’s wife, Paula Dávila, the initiative embodies Avolta’s belief that everyone deserves to belong, thrive, and be celebrated for who they are. This project is dedicated to supporting children and families affected by neurological conditions, driving positive change by promoting health, wellbeing and social inclusion, through meaningful partnerships and community activities.

The Eugenio Andrades’ Legacy began its journey in 2024 in Eugenio’s homeland, Spain, where it continues to bring people together through therapeutic programs and inclusive activities that enhance development, quality of life, and a sense of belonging, with sport as a powerful enabler of joy and connection.

In 2025, it continued its collaboration with three nonprofit partners:

  • Fundación Deporte y Desafío – dedicated to promoting inclusion through adapted sports and leisure activities. Together in 2025, we organized six events ranging from hippotherapy and dog-assisted therapy to golf, hiking, laser tag, and multisport days. These programs engaged 92 children and 207 family members and were enriched by the active participation of 150 Avolta volunteers and their own families. Sharing these moments of generosity and connection strengthened our culture of inclusion and community spirit.
  • Fundación Cadete – focused on helping families access specialized therapies for children with neurological conditions. For the 2025/2026 school year, Avolta has funded 11 therapy scholarships, including 8 children of Avolta team members, ensuring continuity of essential neurorehabilitation treatments such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychotherapy, and hippotherapy. These therapies support children’s development and improve quality of life for them and
    their families.
  • Fundación Bobath – specialized in comprehensive care for children and young people with cerebral palsy. Through this partnership, Avolta funded a scholarship for one person to attend the Day Center, provided an adapted wheelchair for a student at its Special Needs School, and contributed treatment materials benefiting 87 students enrolled in the school.

2025 marked the first anniversary of this initiative, which Avolta celebrated with a Volunteer and Disability Day in Madrid. Participants, families, and Avolta volunteers came together for a day of adapted sports and leisure activities, with dancing being the highlight of the morning. Beyond the joy of the event itself, these gatherings strengthen ties among participants, families, and volunteers, reinforcing a sense of belonging and family spirit across our organization.

The Eugenio Andrades’ Legacy continues to honor Eugenio’s spirit of empathy and inclusion, while reflecting Avolta’s broader commitment to well-being, community, and positive impact in the places where we live and work.

Support to Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group
2025 marked the start of the fifth year of partnership with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), the UK charity supporting childhood cancer research to find kinder, more effective treatments. Thanks to the support of our UK colleagues, we’ve now raised a total of over £ 300,000 since 2022, far surpassing the original target of £ 120,000 and making a real difference in the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Throughout 2025, our teams have shown amazing commitment by taking part in initiatives such as skydives, fancy dress walks in Windsor and London, sports competitions and summer social events with the proceeds going to CCLG. We were also proud to have five Avolta employees join CCLG’s first-ever Big Hike Event – a challenging 13.4-mile trek through the Peak District in wet and windy conditions, helping to raise over £ 20,000.

As we move into the next phase of our partnership, we remain committed to raising awareness and supporting CCLG’s mission to ensure that children diagnosed with cancer receive the best possible care, and that their families are given reliable, helpful information as soon as their child is diagnosed. Together, we are helping change the future of childhood cancer.

 

Support to multiple projects in Greece
Hellenic Duty-Free Shops continued to implement community initiatives throughout 2025, with strong engagement from team members across the country. Our teams once again participated in the No Finish Line charity race in Athens, supporting the Together for Children coalition of NGOs, and in the Race for the Cure, raising funds and awareness for breast cancer and securing second posi
tion in corporate participation. We also maintained our support for Make-A-Wish Hellas, helping to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses, and for the Skytali Hellenic Heart-Lung Transplant Association, which provides insurance for transplantation. 

Additional activities included providing of meals for homeless communities in Athens through Deipno Agapis, the donation of computer equipment and defibrillators to schools in remote areas of Greece, participation in local environmental and initiatives such as the Lake Kerkini cleanup and Pride Week in Kipi, and support for children and families through donations to the Tasos Georgiadis Foundation and the Child Protection Association Benjamin.

 

Education for disadvantaged children and adolescents

 

SOS Children’s Villages program in Brazil, Mexico and Kenya
Our partnership with SOS Children’s Villages, which began in 2009, continued to thrive in 2025, reflecting Avolta’s long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families around the world. Together, we have helped improve the lives of nearly 37,000 people, including infants, young children, teenagers, and their families. 

SOS Children’s Villages works to keep families together, provide alternative care when needed, and support young people on their path to independence. By strengthening families and offering access to education, these programs create the foundation for opportunity – enabling parents to work and build better futures for their children, while ensuring that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.

During this long-standing collaboration, Avolta has supported education, family, and community strengthening programs in several countries, including Igarassu (Brazil), Comitán (Mexico), and Nairobi (Kenya), as well as in Agadir (Morocco), Battambang (Vietnam), and Lavrovo (Russia). 

Support & Training for vulnerable groups 

Brazil – CTA Program: Empowering the Future of Young
People
Since 1995, Avolta has proudly sponsored the CTA (Cidadania, Trabalho e Aprendizagem – Citizenship, Work and Learning) Program, a social initiative in Rio de Janeiro designed to enhance the skills of young people and improve their employability. In 2025, the program celebrated its 30-year anniversary, marking three decades of transforming lives in Brazil. This long-standing impact was further recognized with the Frontier Award for People &
Planet – Diversity and Inclusion Champion, a public endorsement of the program’s positive contribution to communities and a source of pride for Avolta.

Based at Rio Galeão Airport, the program has long been a bridge to opportunity for students from vulnerable backgrounds. In 2025, it also reached a new milestone with the graduation of the first class at São Paulo Guarulhos Airport, where 18 students completed the program. Looking ahead, plans are already in place to expand the initiative to additional airports in Brazil.

The curriculum combines professional training, cultural activities, and personal development across three modules: World of Work, Contemporary World, and Beyond Walls. Students aged 18 to 22 receive classes in English, technology, retail operations, leadership, ethics, and citizenship, along with internships in Avolta’s stores and offices and cultural visits around the city. Each year, more than 50 Avolta team members volunteer as mentors and
trainers, supporting participants as they take their first steps into professional life.

The program provides a comprehensive support system that goes beyond technical skills by covering meals, uniforms, and transport, we ensure every participant has the resources they need to succeed. Many graduates join Avolta or partner companies, while others continue their studies, supported by the confidence and knowledge they have gained. To date, over 900 young people have benefited from this transformative journey, which has consistently delivered high employability outcomes.

PizzAut: empowering Employability for autistic individuals in Italy
In 2025, Autogrill continued its partnership with PizzAut Onlus, an italian association committed to raising awareness about the employability of autistic individuals, renowned for creating the first pizzeria run entirely by autistic staff. Launched in 2024, the initial collaboration included integrating a young man from the association into Autogrill’s team and providing a € 200,000 donation
from the first GourmAut campaign to fund the "PizzAutoBus” project, aimed at purchasing a food truck to facilitate employment for people with autism or Asperger's syndrome.

The GourmAut sandwich, specially crafted with a round shape to symbolize inclusion, remained a cornerstone of the 2025 partnership. For every unit sold from July to October 2025 across approximately 300 Autogrill stores in Italy, Autogrill pledged € 1. The campaign in 2025 successfully raised € 150,000, with proceeds directed to support PizzAut's "Home Independent Living Gyms" project, which provides autistic youth with dedicated spaces to practice and develop skills needed for independent living.

Fight poverty & food insecurity 

Journey For Good Foundation: changing lives in North American communities
The Journey For Good Foundation is the charitable arm of Avolta in North America, reflecting the company’s enduring commitment to fighting poverty and fostering lasting social impact. Established in April 2024, the Foundation builds on the legacy of the HMSHost Foundation and unites the philanthropic efforts of HMSHost, Hudson, and Dufry under one mission-driven umbrella. With a focus on funding sustainable and scalable solutions, the Foundation targets five key areas: food security, combating homelessness, education, workforce development, and support for veterans and their families.

Food security is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s efforts, partnering with food banks and local organizations to combat hunger and ensure access to nutritious meals for vulnerable populations. Addressing homelessness is equally vital, with initiatives that provide safe housing, essential furnishings, clothing, and pathways that empower individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.

Education and workforce development play a central role in the Foundation’s mission, fostering opportunities for long-term growth and self-sufficiency. Programs that enhance access to education and training, particularly in the hospitality industry, leverage Avolta’s expertise to help individuals develop sustainable careers.

Additionally, the Foundation honors veterans and their families by addressing their unique needs through tailored programs offering food, shelter, medical care, and job training.

At the heart of the Foundation’s operations is an innovative fundraising mechanism. Travelers shopping at participating Avolta dining venues, retail stores, and duty-free outlets in North America can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the extra funds directly supporting the Foundation’s programs. This initiative builds on the success of Hudson’s long-running round-up-for-charity program, which was integrated into the Journey For Good Foundation’s efforts.

Between 2008 and 2024, Hudson leveraged its presence in airports and transit hubs to support Communities In Schools® (CIS), the largest K-12 integrated student support organization in the U.S. In 2023 and early 2024 alone, Hudson customers raised nearly USD 1.9 million – more than triple the previous year’s total – marking the largest single contribution in the 16-year history of its partnership with CIS. These funds supported 26 CIS affiliates in cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., while also strengthening the national network and expanding CIS’s reach.

The round-up program continues to be a powerful tool for community engagement and impact, enabling everyday travelers to contribute to meaningful change. In 2025 this initiative has made a significant impact, with a record of about USD 2.7 million in charitable donations to 108 charitable organizations (2024: 65) across the U.S. and Canada.

By addressing the root causes of poverty and fostering community empowerment, the Journey For Good Foundation is transforming lives. It exemplifies Avolta’s commitment to sustainability principles by creating tangible, positive outcomes, while fostering resilience, opportunity, and inclusion. For more information, visit the website https://journeyforgood.org.

 

Food donations: offering support for local communities while reducing food waste
Within the F&B sector, Avolta has a series of active partnerships with non-profit organizations across the regions where the company operates.

In the USA, Avolta Food & Beverage has been working with Food Donation Connection (FDC) since 2011 to donate surplus food to people in need through partnerships with charities. Every donor location is matched with a group of qualified charities that collect the food on scheduled days and times. FDC has worked with our operational teams to make sure the food is safe and healthy and to make the donation process more efficient and secure.

In 2025, our food donation efforts reached a record high, with over 720,000 meals provided, combining the effort of our Duty Paid (Hudson) and Food & Beverage business.

In Italy, Avolta continued its support for key non-profit organizations dedicated to combating food waste, ensuring that surplus food and donations from Autogrill’s central warehouse reach those in need. These key partnerships included Banco Alimentare, Pane Quotidiano, and Fondazione IBVA, through which over 160,000 product items were collectively donated to local charities in 2025.

Since 1989, Banco Alimentare has been collecting unspoiled, non-expired food that is no longer sellable and would otherwise be thrown away. Pane Quotidiano, based in Milan, puts human dignity at the center of its mission and has been distributing food to those who need it since 1898, while Fondazione IBVA, based in Milan since 1801, offers families in need a supermarket where they can shop for free with dignity, just like regular customers.

Clean water & sanitation for communities 

One Water and Avolta: A Partnership Transforming Lives
World Duty Free, part of Avolta, was one of the first UK retailers to stock One Water, the ethical bottled water brand created to tackle global water poverty. Since 2016, the partnership has brought together travelers and communities in need, with every purchase of One Water helping to fund safe, clean water projects via The One Foundation.

One Water is sold across all of World Duty Free’s UK airport stores, making it a key channel of support for The One Foundation. In 2025, the partnership has reached the milestone of raising over £ 3 million since inception, changing the lives of more than 490,000 people across Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and Malawi. Funds generated through sales are invested in projects that deliver safe drinking water, sustainable infrastructure, and hygiene education to communities most in need. This includes repairing broken water points, building piped water and sanitation systems, and training communities and local utilities to ensure long-term sustainability.

This enduring partnership is a powerful example of how business, customers, and charitable organizations can work together to create meaningful impact. For Avolta, it also reflects the company’s values of inclusion and collaboration, proving that even everyday purchases can transform lives.

Charity Water Project in Zurich and Basel Airports
Avolta continued its long-standing partnership with Flughafen Zürich AG on the Charity Water initiative, first launched in 2014. The project donates CHF 0.50 from each bottle of Zurich Duty Free mineral water sold at the airport to charitable causes. Sourced from the Adello spring in Adelboden, this Swiss mineral water allows travelers to contribute to meaningful community initiatives with every purchase.

In the first half of 2025, the campaign raised CHF 198,807 for the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society, which provides guidance, services, and support to around 18,000 people living with MS across Switzerland. While, in the second half of the year, the campaign raised CHF 242,554 for the “Allani Children’s Hospice Foundation” in Bern – the country’s first children’s hospice, offering care, respite, and comfort to families with children facing life-limiting illnesses.

Since its inception, the Charity Water project has raised more than CHF 2.3 million, supporting ten Swiss charitable organizations, including Stiftung Theodora, Sternschnuppe Children’s Aid Foundation, and Zurich Children’s Hospital.

Ocean Plastic Cleaning

Backing Oceana’s work to protect our seas
In 2025, Avolta continued to build on its collaboration with Oceana, the world’s leading international organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As part of this partnership, Avolta directs the proceeds from carrier-bag charges in the UK to support Oceana’s marine habitats campaign. This contribution of about £ 200,000 helps advance science-based efforts to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and species.

Thanks to support from partners like Avolta, Oceana recently helped secure protection for an additional 62,000 km2 of UK seas from destructive bottom trawling. These newly protected areas include important biodiversity hotspots that are home to a range of threatened deep-sea species.

And a long list of other local contributions
Supporting underprivileged communities is a fundamental part of our company’s culture. Alongside the main initiatives outlined above, Avolta subsidiaries and team members contribute year after year to a wide range of causes and projects. In 2025, these included, among others, direct donations to the Made Blue Foundation in the
Netherlands; in-kind donations of food and heating devices in Jordan through the charity Al Jezeh Area; and volunteering support for the Turkish Education Foundation.

Many of these initiatives are driven by our team members, who actively champion causes they care about and mobilize support through micro-donations, charity runs, and other fundraising activities benefiting numerous deserving projects. Internally, we give visibility to these efforts through our communication platforms – recognizing employee engagement, raising awareness, and inspiring others to take action.

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