HUNGARY. Budapest Airport has revealed another record year for retail and food & beverage sales, which reached €180 million (US$220.6 million) in 2017.
The airport saw the completion of several retail and F&B reconstruction projects last year. These included the upgrade of Leroy Bistro, all Relay units and the refurbishment of the T2B retail area with the opening of the non-Schengen walk-through Heinemann Duty Free store.
New units included Twinset Boutique and Camden Food Co. Onboard advertising specialist International Airport Advertising Corporation (IAAC) was appointed to implement a new and creative approach to increase commercial income.
The airport named Relay SkyCourt, Desigual and KFC among its retail and food & beverage operators of the year at its annual awards ceremony.
“We are once again enormously happy with the results of last year, and as always we remain determined to offer the best possible retail experience at Budapest Airport,” said Budapest Airport CCO Kam Jandu at the event.
“The year ahead will bring about yet more fresh offerings, with new stores including Inglot Cosmetics, Optic World and a Disney section in our Living Toys unit. As well as complete revamps for Michal Negrin, Memories of Hungary and Costa Coffee, our seating will increase by +30% with multiple charging points.
“For tonight though, congratulations to each of this year’s winners and thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far. We remain one of Europe’s fastest-growing airports and each of our partners have a hugely important role in this.”
Relay SkyCourt (Magyar Lapterjesztő Zrt) received the Budapest Airport Retail of the Year award for highest absolute turnover growth. Magyar Lapterjesztő Zrt Head of Airport Outlets Business Unit Gárdos Beáta said: “Thanks to Lapker successfully winning the Press and Books tender we’ve been lucky to experience a face-lift and emerge with a fantastic new look
“With our significant change, the airport’s fabulous passenger growth, and now this award, 2017 will be a year to remember.”
Desigual (Mágint Pannónia) was awarded best Unit Operator in the Retail of the Year category. “It’s a wonderful experience to be part of a celebration that’s for each and every one of Budapest’s partners, and a great honour to be awarded such a prize in our second year at the airport. We’re lucky to have wonderful support and cooperation which helps us all deliver great results,” commented Mágint Pannónia – Desigual Brand Managers Fanni Huszár and Adrienn Kovács.
F&B Retailer of the Year AmRest Kft – KFC’s Estate Manager Orsolya Riesz added: “This is fantastic – thank you to all at Budapest Airport for this award. We had our own outstanding year, which resulted in a superb +30% growth in sales. Being part of such a successful airport as Budapest helps us develop and we look towards further progression in the coming years.”
The airport, which welcomed a record over 13 million passengers in 2017, hosts its annual awards to honour valued business partners that play a significant role in its aviation and retail development.
The awards were held in Budapest’s historic Terminal 1 Event Centre. The event attracted some 300 guests to the former departures lounge of the protected building.
“This is a joint achievement for all at Budapest, and tonight we thank everyone who has contributed to the airport’s outstanding figures, helping us remain one of Europe’s fastest-growing major airports,” he added.
