Nuance has successfully retained the Audio Visual Electronics Equipment Concession at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for the third time since 2000.

 

As was reported on TRBusiness.com, Nuance (or Nuance Watson HK as it was formerly known) ‘bid farewell’ to operating in Hong Kong after its core General Merchandising and Perfume and Cosmetics concessions contract came to an end in November 2012 after 14 years of operating there.

 

As DFS Group was confirmed as the winner of all three core retail contracts at HKIA, in June 2012, the former Nuance Group President & CEO Roberto Graziani released a statement expressing ‘extreme’ disappointment at the retail awards to a competitor.

 

Nuance – acquired by Dufry last year – believes that its 15 years in the electronics business has paid off in this latest contest with ‘leading domestic electronics retailers’.

 

“Securing the electronics concession at HKIA is a major strategic step to solidify the company’s presence at HKIA and in the region,” says Nuance.

 

The win includes three outlets; two at the existing locations on Level 6 Airside Restricted Area, plus one new location on Level Landside Arrival Hall, covering a total area of 500sq m.

 

The new licenses will run for three years, until 2017. Renovation will begin in the second quarter of this year with full completion and launching before traffic peaks in May during the Canton Fair.

 

Nuance says that company’s tendering for this latest electronics concession at HKIA was “fully supported by 28 leading electronic brands, of which many have granted first launching of new concepts, unique product offerings and exclusive services to Nuance”.

 

The company’s Sound & Vision electronics retail brand will premier several new shop-in-shop branded concepts such as: Samsung Experiential Concept (first outside of South Korea); Canon Image Square; Hasselblad Shoot Concept; Leica Gallery; Sennheiser Studio; and Beats Fever Corner.

 

Nuance will be heavily promoting ‘wearable tech’ – to complementing smartphones and tablets – and will advance its ‘i-concept’ with the addition qualified-Apple Product Professional consultation and free workshops.

 

Alessandra Piovesana, Regional Managing Director of Nuance Asia, commented. “This highly competitive win is solidly grounded on our team’s innovative category insights, well versed customer knowledge as well as the long-standing operational experience and expertise.

 

“It gives all the motivation we need to further progress the business to our airport travellers and exceed customers’ expectations. I specially thank all our electronic brands partners for their trust and exceptional support in making our tender proposition unique.

 

“I also want to attribute the win to our professional sourcing team and frontline service personnel, for their dedication, passion and enthusiasm. We warrant to our stakeholders, our Airport Authority and customers that we will continue our quest for excellence with the same ingenuity and “can do” spirit.”