INDIA. Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has partnered with omni-channel platform provider Ace Turtle to digitise its travel retail offering via the airport app and website. The partnership will allow travellers to pre-order from retail and food & beverage partners and collect at the airport or arrange delivery.
The company said that Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport will thereby become the first airport in India to establish “an omni-channel commerce experience” for travellers, blending online and offline channels. BIAL’s digital transformation also aims to create new revenue opportunities and realise operational efficiencies for the airport and its business partners.
“This partnership will go a long way in delivering a seamless retail experience for brands and create greater value for our passengers.” – Bangalore International Airport Managing Director & CEO Hari Marar
Ace Turtle’s omni-channel platform will help shape the digital roadmap for retail brands at the airport. It will develop tailor-made solutions to increase revenue for retailers through optimisation of existing retail touch points. Dufry-owned Nuance runs the duty free stores at the airport.
The new omni-channel solution will allow travellers to:
- Click and collect – pre-book food from the BIAL app or website and collect in restaurants at the airport
- make retail purchases online and collect at arrival/departure from designated collection points
- Buy via kiosk at the airport and collect from the airport or have it delivered home
- Smart collection points – buy products online and collect from the airport at arrival or departure; this facility could be applicable to products not available at the airport.
“At Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, the presence of leading national and international brands creates a holistic shopping experience for millions of passengers travelling for business or leisure,” said Bangalore International Airport Managing Director & CEO Hari Marar.
“As we move towards the next phase of our digital journey and ensure an unparalleled experience for our customers, retail will play a critical role in shaping customer experience through interactive digital solutions.
“Working with a leading omni-channel enabler such as Ace Turtle will help us keep pace with today’s digital customers who look to engage with their favourite brands through multiple touch points. This partnership will go a long way in delivering a seamless retail experience for brands and create greater value for our passengers.”
Ace Turtle CEO Nitin Chhabra added: “Travel retail in India is booming, making airports a potential revenue generator for many brands and retailers. Over the past few years, Bangalore Airport has emerged as one of the fastest growing airports in the world and has created brand new opportunities for retailers to reach out millions of premium customers travelling for business or leisure.
“We are confident that our platform will play a significant role in shaping omni-channel transformation of retail brands associated with Bengaluru International Airport.”
Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport is the busiest airport in South India and the third largest in the country – it handled 25.04 million passengers in FY2017-18.
