AUSTRALIA. Lagardère Travel Retail today opened Southern Providore, which it described as its most ambitious local concept yet, at Adelaide International Airport.
Awarded in 2019, the Southern Providore concept represents an evolution of the retailer’s Icons concept. It aims to deliver an experience informed by the South Australian region, its culture and craft.
Located prominently within the main departures area of the Domestic Terminal, Southern Providore offers a range of coffee, tea, condiments, cheeses, wines & spirits, confectionery, health and beauty and gifting products from over 36 South Australian brands.
Brand highlights include Jurlique, Taylor’s Wines, 23rd Street, Prancing Pony, Robern Menz, Sam’s Popcorn, Maine Beach, Beerenberg and Chocolate No.5.
The store also features an area dedicated to producers from Kangaroo Island, a community still recovering from 2019’s devastating bushfires. The products include Kangaroo Island Spirits and KI Living Honey among others.
A boutique tasting café inside the store serves Cirelli Coffee, a local boutique coffee roaster, pastries by Market Street, small plates of local fare, and a changing range of local wines, beers and spirits by the glass.
Travellers can learn about the stories and the people behind the products and the menu, through live tastings at the central ‘Grand Table’ and QR codes placed throughout the store that link through to the Southern Providore website.
Lagardère Travel Retail CEO, Pacific Przemek Lesniak said: “Southern Providore is the true embodiment of Sense of Place. From our engagement with Red Centre Enterprises to highlighting our biggest range of local producers for a single store yet, everything has come from a place of celebrating the culture, people and passion of South Australia. We knew this project would be some of our most ambitious work yet, and standing here today, it is clear our ambitions have been realised.”
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Mark Young said: “Southern Providore’s focus on the best South Australia has to offer fits perfectly with Adelaide Airport’s vision for our revamped retail precinct – part of our current terminal expansion project – which places a premium on local products and produce. It has exceeded our expectations with so many boutique offerings and clever use of storytelling to explain why South Australia is now such a popular destination for food and wine experiences.”
To coincide with the opening, Lagardère Travel Retail announced a partnership with Red Centre Enterprises to support, engage and acknowledge the people of the Kaurna nation, the traditional owners of the land Adelaide Airport sits on.
Through Red Centre Enterprises, the retailer said it is engaging directly with First Nations’ producers and supporting those communities with sustainable economic and business opportunities. The store and website also prominently feature acknowledgement of country as part of the design and was officially opened with a traditional Welcome to Country.
The retailer said: “This partnership is the first step in a broader journey the business is taking towards more meaningful, respectful, and reconciliatory engagement with first nations people across the Pacific.”
Yundamarra, Founding Member of Red Centre Enterprises, said: “A new and exciting journey awaits as Australian First Nations Elders, communities leaders, Red Centre Enterprises and associated networks bring to life the Sharing of Story and Song-Line Range at Southern Providore. This legacy initiative is not just about having these exciting products in-store, it is also about creating a journey of discovery and education, respectfully exploring the world’s oldest living culture while allowing Australia’s First Nations Peoples to share their story and give a better understanding of the amazing people and communities behind these products and services.
“We welcome collaborations from many other First Nations enterprises and communities, and believe that together we can continue to have a positive impact to Australian and international communities, ensuring sustainable prosperity for their future generations. Red Centre believes that together we can continue to have a positive impact on Australian and international communities, ensuring sustainable prosperity for their future generations and being inclusive to all. This ongoing vision means genuine partnerships are developed to showcase our communities, and ensure they are fully immersed in the decision making processes along the journey.
“We thank Lagardère Travel Retail for their leadership in working with us through the development of Southern Providore and allowing this positive step forward for our Elders and their communities.”
The Southern Providore website will soon offer online shopping with options for both click and collect and delivery options at www.southernprovidore.com.au
Lagardère Travel Retail also operates a Lego/Kaboom store in Adelaide Airport’s Domestic Terminal. In 2019 the retailer was awarded new duty free and F&B concessions as part of the airport’s International Terminal redevelopment.
