ARI says that it has ‘smashed’ its +16% spend per head target by almost 10%, in the year following the opening of The Loop retail space at Dublin airport, to which TRBusiness was invited last March.

ARI says that customer reaction in the company’s first year of opening The Loop retail area has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’, reflected in very strong sales results (+24%)  in the core categories of liquor, P&C, confectionery and souvenirs.

Last March, TRBusiness was invited to the inauguration of the space in Dublin during which the company forecasted that it would see a +16% rise in spend per passenger.

The company celebrated the first anniversary of its award-winning retail at The Loop in T1 Dublin Airport with gifts for passengers travelling through the terminal.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
ARI Ireland Retail Director Anthony Kenny said: “Last March before the new retail area opened we had predicted an average +16% increase in spend per passenger.

 

“I’m delighted to announce that we have smashed this target and grown spends to +24%. Overall sales are also up significantly which once again highlights the potency of ARI’s customer led retail strategy and tailor-made design approach.

“From the initial planning right through the design and brand selection process we engaged extensively with both Irish and International passengers to understand and tailor the offering to meet their needs and create a real desire to shop.

“The overall passenger experience has also been greatly enhanced by the opening of Marqette, ARI’s new F&B offering which has contributed to a genuine world class shopping and dining environment at The Loop.

 

“I’d like to pay tribute to the entire team who have worked so hard in the past 12 months. Contemporary design, innovative concepts, retail exclusives and deep customer insights are all hugely important but it’s very often our people on the front line who make the difference between a customer trading up from a €25 to a €50 bottle of whiskey.

“I’d also like to thank our many brand partners for their tremendous support throughout the year; this is very much a shared success.”

“The challenge for us now is to build on this strong performance in T1 and to continue to replicate some of the more successful elements such as Candy Cloud, The Irish Whiskey Collection, and The Joy of Giving and Destination Skincare promotions in our overseas locations.”