UK convenience and news retailer WHSmith will operate four stores of over 420sq m of retail space at Melbourne Airport’s new Terminal 4 development (pictured below).

 

The travel essentials contract at the domestic terminal covers three airside units [a 224sq m site in departures and two smaller pier units] and a 115sq m landside arrivals store on the ground floor.

 

WHSmith Australia CEO, Paul Yardley, says: “When these stores open in mid-2015 we will operate nine units across Melbourne Airport, our largest business in the Asia-Pacific region.”

 

Commenting on the selection process, Andrew Gardiner, Executive – Customer, Melbourne Airport, says that it “attracted a number of high quality submissions” and adds that the WHSmith offer “will complement our unique T4 fashion and food & beverage offering”.

 

The T4 stores, scheduled to open from July 2015, will significantly expand WHSmith’s partnership with Melbourne Airport, adding to its existing five-store international operation at T2.  By mid-2015 WHSmith Australia will operate at Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth airports.

 

The new terminal – which will be home to low-fare airlines, Jetstar and Tigerair, and regional carrier Rex – is part of the airport’s A$10bn ($8.77bn) 20-year investment to expand facilities and integrate all terminals to accommodate 20m passengers annually by 2020.