Dufry signed a concession contract to double its commercial area to 8,000sq m at Rio de Janeiro Tom Jobim International Airport today.

 

Dufry signed this important new contract with airport concession holder RIOgaleão to operate the duty free concession until 2020, significantly expanding the business it currently operates consisting of six duty free shops, with four located in departures and two in arrivals (approximately 4,000sq m).

 

In a statement this morning, Dufry said: “RIOgaleão has substantial improvement plans over the next years. Until March 2016, Dufry continues to operate the existing retail space, subject to changes in terms of remodelling or refurbishment works in line with the airport improvement.”

 

The retailer added that that under the new contract the retail locations will specifically capture the full passenger flows so exposing all international inbound and outbound passengers to the shops.

 

Dufry added that the new space will comprise a general walk-through travel retail shop format in arrivals and departures, offering perfume and cosmetics, wines and spirits, confectionery, fashion, accessories and watches.

 

 

 

 

MAJOR AGREEMENT FOR DUFRY

Tom Jobim International Airport is the second largest airport in Brazil after Sao Paulo and a major getaway for Brazil and South America. It welcomed 17m passengers in 2013, of which 4m were international.

 

Following a competitive bid process, the airport is now operated under a concession by a consortium consisting of Changi, Odebrecht and Infraero (since August 2014). The airport is currently undergoing a substantial improvement programme to improve passenger flows and services for the Olympic Games in 2016. The development plans also includes improvements in the commercial area, with a wider variety of retail shops that will enhance the shopping experience for travellers.

 

Julían Díaz, CEO of Dufry Group said: “We are very pleased about this new agreement with Tom Jobim International Airport. This contract allows us to further develop the business at Rio de Janeiro Airport and [it] is an important step in our plan to develop our travel retail business in Brazil.

 

“We are excited to work together with the airport’s team and we believe our knowledge of the travel retail market together with the airport infrastructure improvements will take the duty free shopping experience at Rio de Janeiro Airport to another level.

 

“Last but not the least, the contract reinforces our market position in Brazil and consolidates the strength of our organization in the country and Latin America overall.”