Leading luggage brand Samsonite has opened its first mono-brand travel retail store in Australia, at Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal. Located in the Qantas end of the terminal, the store builds on the company’s presence in the channel, led by multi-brand Rolling Luggage stores at Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast and Brisbane airports.
The store design features the latest Samsonite fit-out and its ‘endless aisles’ digital platform, offering the brand’s travel luggage, business and fashion bags.
Samsonite Australia General Manager Retail & Strategy Matt Gardiner said: “The travel retail channel is an important part of our strategy to grow awareness of our brands in Australia, and to showcase the breadth of our offer to travellers. Brisbane Airport has exciting plans for the redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal, with a bold vision to create a world-class retail precinct.
“We believe this is a perfect opportunity for us to open our first mono-brand Samsonite store in Australia, and to roll out our new in-store digital ordering platform. We look forward to working closely with Brisbane Airport to deliver a fantastic customer experience in the years to come.”
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) General Manager Airline and Retail Management Andrew Brodie* added: “Samsonite is the world’s largest travel luggage brand, and we’re excited to be the first airport in Australia to feature a Samsonite store. The fit-out is beautifully executed and the product offer tailored to the needs of frequent fliers, business passengers and travellers who demand quality.
“The teams at Samsonite and BAC have worked together to deliver a fantastic outcome within tight timelines, and we’re delighted to partner with such a responsive and collaborative operator.”
In addition to the assortment of Samsonite products available in-store, the store also uses the company’s new digital ordering platform to allow travellers to shop from the entire Samsonite offer, with free home delivery anywhere in Australia. The company said this offers a solution for travellers who have already checked-in, or those not able to take larger items with them on their travels.
Samsonite Australia said it plans to open more Samsonite travel retail stores at other Australian airports over the next 12 months.
*As reported, Andrew Brodie has been appointed CEO at Sunshine Coast Airport in Queensland. He is replaced as BAC Head of Retail and Commercial by Jennifer Andrews.
