News Release (26/08/09)
New operator to deliver flagship 'walkthrough' store, local and international brands and more jobs
Bristol International Airport is delighted to announce that, following a competitive tender, WDF has been selected to operate the new tax and duty free concession and a specialist store at the airport.
The new contract, subject to Autogrill board approval, will be effective from 1 November 2009. WDF will develop two new stores with the tax and duty free store operating under the World Duty Free fascia and the specialist store operating under the Collection fascia. The stores in their new format will start trading in Spring 2010.
The stores will reflect the latest proposition developed for WDF’s travel retail brands, including the commitment to deliver the best shopping experience, along with exceptional value and choice across all product categories.
WDF’s extensive experience of the UK Tax and Duty Free market is unrivalled. The company operates tax and duty free stores in 21 UK airports (including Heathrow’s T5, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester), serving over 200 million passengers every year through its 80 stores. Whilst WDF has real scale of operation, the individuality of stores and their locations is a key consideration and influences every new store development. WDF works in close partnership with its landlords to develop tailor made retail offers that meet their commercial needs and deliver the appropriate retail environment and product range for its customers.
The World Duty Free store at Bristol International Airport incorporates a stunning ‘walkthrough’ design which leads customers into an exciting and
engagjng retail space. The store will be 40 per cent larger than the current concession, with 10,000 square feet of retail space. Local products will be showcased as part of a strategy to promote the ‘Best from the West’, capitalising on the region’s reputation for quality food and drink and supporting local businesses. Potential featured brands include Gaymers Cider, and wines from Lyme Bay and Chapel Down vineyards.
The specialist concession will retail luxury accessories including handbags, sunglasses, jewellery and watches and will also create new job opportunities for the area.
Commenting on the successful win, Mark Riches, Chief Executive Officer of WDF said, “This is an excellent result for us and we are delighted that we will be introducing our World Duty Free and Collection brands to Bristol International Airport, subject to Autogrill board approval. In our discussions with Bristol it was clear that this is an airport committed to growth and to delivering a quality experience to its passengers. We will work in close partnership with BIA to create a ‘flagship’ store and a tailored retail offer for its passengers. The customer is at the heart of everything we do and we are passionate about delivering unbeatable value, outstanding product choice, exciting store environments and world class customer service”.
Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol International Airport adds,
“We are delighted to welcome WDF to Bristol International Airport as our new tax and duty free retailer. WDF is a world-class airport retailer who will bring to us their extensive experience from operating in the biggest airports in the UK. This project will be the most exciting retail development at the airport since the opening of the new terminal in 2000.
“The new tax and duty free store is one of a number of key projects that we have been undertaking this year to significantly improve the passenger experience at Bristol International. This includes investing £10 million on the
construction of a new pier to reduce reliance on buses to transfer passengers between aircraft and the terminal building, and other related terminal improvements.
“This is part of a strategy we are preparing to put BIA in the best shape possible to play its part in next year’s BAC-100 centenary of aviation in the South West, and to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the opening of the terminal.
“Today’s announcement also creates job opportunities, with the number of people employed in this exciting part of the business set to increase by at least 20 per cent.”