Dufry Group yesterday opened its new 1,227sq m Hellenic Duty Free Shops walkthrough store at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.

The new area – part of a wholesale refurbishment of commercial space in the airport’s intra-Schengen zone – houses a range of accessible and renowned fragrance, cosmetics and skincare brands, which join liquor, confectionery, tobacco, toys, souvenirs, electronics and travel accessory categories.

P&C DEBUTS

New brands include Aqua di Parma, Jo Malone, Benefit, Bobbi Brown and Armani Privé, tailored to the airport’s passenger profile.

A wide variety of Greek natural perfumes and cosmetics such as Korres, O Live, Creta Net and Luxurious are also displayed, which are created using natural herbs, honey, vanilla, fig and other indigenous ingredients.

On the other side of the space, a new Hellenic gourmet concept store allows travellers a last taste of Greece before they depart on their travels.

Contemporary Greek foods, wines and spirits sourced from producers across the country include Greek treats kerasma, tsoureki, pastries, cakes, tarts and syrup sweets made to traditional recipes.

Elsewhere, an innovative wine tasting machine allows travellers to taste 16 different, specially selected wines, while an experienced oenologist introduces consumers to the origins of Greek wine.

Timebox also runs a shop-in-shop, merchandising a selection of watches from various well-known brands.

Meanwhile, video walls and screens provide interactive elements to the store experience, supported by promotional activities and services.

12 NEW STORES

The large walkthrough space joins 12 other openings across the airport’s refurbished commercial space located in the intra-Schengen area.

Measuring a total of 2,026sqm, the space has increased by 32% compared to the previous area, with the work carried out between Athens International Airport S.A (AIA) and Dufry.

First-time entrant to the Greek airport market Max Mara joins Michael Kors – exclusive to Hellenic Duty Free Shops at Athens airport – Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, a boutique housing Greek luxury clothing and accessories brand Zeus + Dion, Links of London, Victoria’s Secret, Folli Follie, and a Swarovski and Swatch boutique.

A sunglasses boutique also offers a variety of name-brand sunglasses, while a Korres Greek natural products boutique and two Hellenic Duty Free Shops express stores present passengers with a selection of best-selling offers from the main walkthrough.

George Valentzas, CEO, Hellenic Duty Free Shops at Dufry said: “The development and renovation of the intra- Schengen area is a clear commitment to long-term investment in one of the key airports in which we operate in Southern Europe, so important to Mediterranean tourism.

“With these new stores, we have achieved an entirely new and exciting offer for passengers who travel though Athens International Airport. Our common vision with the airport, to bring something truly different to airport shopping on a global scale while celebrating the Greek heritage of our stores, has brought us a range of stores which we hope travellers will enjoy when they spend time here and are sure they will remember when they reach their destination.

“We invite passengers to get to know the new commercial spaces and hope they enjoy their time at this airport as much as we do.”