ARI captures joint-venture contract for duty free and duty paid operations at eight Portuguese airports

Colourful concepts: Localisation of the design and offer was a key theme of the ARI bid

PORTUGAL. ANA Aeropuertos de Portugal (ANA), a VINCI Airports group company, has appointed Aer Rianta International (ARI) as its new joint-venture partner for duty free and duty paid retail concessions across Portugal’s airports. The partners will create a new JV company, and have pledged to deliver Sense of Place and innovation in the traveller experience.

The seven-year contract begins on 1 June. It covers eight airports (Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira Islands including Madeira and Porto Santo, and Azores Islands including Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria and Horta). As reported, ANA launched a tender for the business, currently run in partnership with Dufry, last July.

Click on the video for details of how ARI plans to bring the new store environments to life (Video: The Design Solution)

The concession incorporates over 34 commercial spaces, including main duty free shops, satellite stores and fashion & beauty stores, across space of around 9,500sq m. UK-based The Design Solution provided design services for ARI.

ARI, with partner The Design Solution, has developed bespoke branding for each airport to reflect the uniqueness of each region

ANA Chief Executive Officer Thierry Ligonnière said: “We were looking for a business partner with a proven track record in the travel retail industry and with a strong alignment with Vinci Airports’ priorities on passenger experience, Sense of Place and innovation. We are excited to initiate this new partnership with ARI and to deploy a unique shopping environment with two key values: authenticity and sustainability.

“We are convinced that authentic retail experiences, inspired by the uniqueness of the region of the airports, blending local tastes and flavours with a wide range of international products, and keeping our focus on environmental protection at our operations, will contribute to the best of journeys for our passengers.”

The famous Lisbon number 28 tram will be a feature of the retail design at the largest airport in the network. Below, The Port Cellar and Sabores de Portugal concepts. Bottom, how ARI plans to translate its Pre-Loved store concept, first introduced in Canada, to a new market 

ARI Chief Executive Officer Ray Hernan said: “We are absolutely delighted to be selected as ANA’s preferred joint-venture partner. Announcing such a significant win as we emerge from a global pandemic is testament to the commitment and skills of the entire ARI team. With over 70 years of experience in global travel retail, we look forward to bringing our world class service and extensive brand range to Portugal. Together with the ANA team we will deliver an exceptional tailor-made offering across all locations.”

Commenting on the store offering, ARI Chief Operations and Business Development Officer Nuno Amaral said: “I am beyond proud that ARI has been successful in the bid to work with the team at ANA and operate the duty free concessions throughout my home country of Portugal.

“We knew early in the pitch process that ARI’s vision, ambition and experience in travel retail perfectly complements ANA’s innovation and service throughout their airports. We are convinced that ARI’s strong partnership ethos with joint venture partners, brands, and other key stakeholders will lead to the development of a great retail proposition in Portugal.”

Speaking with The Moodie Davitt Report (full interview shortly) Ray Hernan said: “It’s huge credit to the business development team directly involved in the process but also to the teams everywhere that show how good we are as a retailer and as a partner every day.

“We have an amazing track record in partnerships and joint ventures over the years, and I think that resonated with ANA, as did the ambition and vision we have for retail at the airports. Now we’re looking forward to working with the teams that are already in place at the airports to bring that to life.”

ARI, added Hernan, will bring its own best practice to play at the new locations in terms of service, design, marketing, offer and technology.

The full interview will appear shortly.

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