Today Nice Airport (NCE) told an audience of retailers, design firms and press that it was looking for bids for its forthcoming duty free tenders – part of a wholesale revamp of the retail offer first exclusively revealed by TRBusiness – that would be both different and captivating.

 

 

NCE operator Aéroports de la Cote d’Azur was clear about its expectations at an event at the TFWA Cannes show: to develop “the most surprising commercial experience in a European airport” in the all-new duty free and travel facilities at terminals one and two currently being revamped. Commercial sales in 2013 hit just over €200m ($267m), up +9% on 2013 but NCE is projecting a +40% rise – once the new facilities are finished by 2017 – from the same level of traffic (11.6m in 2013).

 

“We don’t want replication of what we see elsewhere,” said Aéroports de la Cote d’Azur’s Chief Commercial Officer, Filip Soete (left) who will be calling for tenders next Monday with a deadline of 15 February, and awards being made on 30 March.

 

“Be crazy and be inventive… use Nice Airport as a showcase,” he added, refering to the fact that NCE is the gateway to TFWA World Exhibition, the annual global travel retail convention as well as the gateway for many captains of industry, and a high-end demographic in general, that regularly travels to the French Riviera.

 

 

Retail space at the airport is being significantly increased: by +160% in T1 and +108% in T2 (see table above) thanks to terminal extensions, with walk-through main stores and defined boutique shopping areas creating more of a mall feel. Seating will be in the central areas and the stores around the outside (see plans below and click to enlarge).

 

GASTRONOMIC UPLIFT

One element of the duty free tender that stands out is that it will be split into two, according to Valerie Chuong (right), Head of Department – Development of Commercial Activities & Services. A separate tender for fine food is designed to put a greater emphasis on gastronomy.

 

In the boutiques/stores tenders, there are several key categories in the terminals that both individual brands and retail consolidators can bid for: fashion/accessories, luxury fashion/accessories, luxury watches/jewellery, souvenirs/local, high tech and books/news.

 

Soete concluded by telling potential bidders: “Have fun with these tenders. We are looking for interesting ideas and we will reward that by giving extra points to the marketing, and the ‘surprise’ elements.”