Hamburg-based travel retailer, Gebr. Heinemann, yesterday opened the biggest duty free shop in Austria at Vienna Airport’s plaza covering 1,200sq m. The unit increases the size of the previous Heinemann Duty Free store, by over 70% from 700sq m.

 

Just behind the main security check area in the eastern section of the terminal, travellers now enter a walkthrough unit whose design incorporates elements of Art Nouveau, patterns and colours from the paintings of Gustav Klimt and echoes of the city’s famous Naschmarkt.

 

Raoul Spanger (second left in picture), Executive Director of Retail at Gebr. Heinemann, opened the shop by cutting the red ribbon with Julian Jäger (second right), Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien. They are flanked Constantin Wiesmann (left), Retail Manager Heinemann Duty Free Vienna, and Adil Raihani (right), Senior Vice President Center Management Vienna International Airport.

 

“From experience we know that air passengers want to have a sense of where they are, which is why we have incorporated Viennese panache and Austrian charm into the store,” says Spanger. “The airport for the Austrian capital is a transport hub for Europe and an important base for our company.”

 

Gebr. Heinemann Wien GmbH has held the concession at Vienna Airport (VIE) since 2003. A total of 210 employees staff eight duty free shops and a crew shop for the company. The subsidiary oversees a total retail space of almost 4,000sq m at the airport.

 

BIG OVERHAUL

Jäger comments: “The whole retail area in this part of the airport is being extensively overhauled as we speak, and the expanded Heinemann Duty Free shop is a major milestone in that process. In this spacious zone, passengers will encounter a comprehensive selection of retail outlets offering well-known international brands and popular local labels.

 

“With more new shops and restaurants set to open over the coming weeks and months, we are confident of our ability to offer guests a top quality travel experience at Vienna Airport.”

 

The original Heinemann store has been fully remodelled, with the Klimt-like patterns and characteristic colours adorning the walls and inspiring ‘floating’ ceiling panels of white, orange, gold and black, together with black and gold lamps.

 

WIDER PRODUCT OFFER & PRE-ORDER

The selections of perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery and spirits have expanded significantly. New to the range are leather goods, including handbags, wallets and belts from international lifestyle brands such as Liebeskind, Guess, Coccinelle, MyWalit and Aigner.

 

Sunglasses, jewellery and watches have also been added to the assortment. Another highlight is a 30sq m shop-in-shop for Montblanc. Heinemann is also deploying its Heinemann’s Choice promotional spaces to offer passengers regular exclusives and products they would not normally expect at an airport.

 

To showcase Austrian specialities, the company has reproduced the mood of Vienna’s famous Naschmarkt with elements such as its characteristic wooden crates. Regional wines and schnapps varieties, Mozartkugeln chocolates and original Sacher cake from the Hotel Sacher – popular the world over – are all available.

 

Before leaving home, passengers can also pre-order goods online from heinemann-dutyfree.com and their purchases will be readied for pick-up and payment at the shop’s service counter.