Lagardère Travel Retail has announced the opening of its new ‘and most ambitious local concept’, Southern Providore in Adelaide International Airport today (30 April).

Awarded in 2019, the Southern Providore concept, designed specifically for Adelaide Airport, is the evolution of the retailer’s Icons concept.

According to Lagardère, the Southern Providore concept delivers a unique sensory experience informed by the South Australian region, culture and craft.

Located within the main departures area of the domestic terminal, Southern Providore showcases a range of coffee, tea, condiments, cheeses, wines, liquor, chocolates, confectionery, health and beauty and gifting products from over 36 South Australian brands.

Brand highlights include Jurlique, Taylor’s Wines, 23rd Street, Prancing Pony, Robern Menz, Sam’s Popcorn, Maine Beach, Beerenberg and Chocolate No.5.

DEDICATED KANGAROO ISLAND AREA

The store also features an area dedicated to producers from Kangaroo Island, a community still recovering from the bushfires of 2019. Kangaroo Island Spirits and KI Living Honey are among the producers represented.

A boutique tasting café inside the Providore serves Cirelli Coffee, a local boutique coffee roaster, pastries by Market Street, small plates of local fare and a changing range of local wines, beers and spirits by the glass.

Travellers passing through the store will discover the stories and people behind the products and the menu, through live tastings at the central “grand table” and QR codes placed throughout the store. The QR Codes link through to the Southern Providore website in an experience that blends tasting, learning, and shopping.

Przemek Lesniak, Lagardère Travel Retail CEO, Pacific, who is proud of this next evolution of local concepts said: “Southern Providore is the true embodiment of sense of place. From our engagement with Red Centre Enterprises to highlighting our biggest range of local producers for a single store yet, everything has come from a place of celebrating the culture, people and passion of South Australia.

“We knew this project would be some of our most ambitious work yet. Standing here today, it is clear our ambitions have been realised.”

Mark Young, Adelaide Airport Managing Director commented: “Southern Providore’s focus on the best South Australia has to offer fits perfectly with Adelaide Airport’s vision for our revamped retail precinct — part of our current terminal expansion project — which places a premium on local products and produce.

“It has exceeded our expectations with so many boutique offerings and clever use of storytelling to explain why South Australia is now such a popular destination for food and wine experiences.”

Regarding the partnership with Red Centre Enterprises as part of the opening of Southern Providore, the retailer said: “In developing this celebration of South Australia, it was critically important to ensure we were appropriately supporting, engaging and acknowledging the people of the Kaurna nation, the traditional owners of the land Adelaide Airport sits on.”

Through Red Centre Enterprises, Lagardère Travel Retail has engaged directly with First Nations’ and supported those communities with sustainable economic and business opportunities.

The store and website also feature acknowledgement of country as part of the design and was officially opened with a ‘traditional welcome to country.’

Lagardère Travel Retail says the partnership is the first step in a broader journey the business is taking towards ‘more meaningful, respectful and reconciliatory engagement with first nations people across the Pacific.’

‘NEW AND EXCITING JOURNEY AWAITS’

Yundamarra, Founding Member of Red Centre Enterprises said: “A new and exciting journey awaits as Australian first nations elders, community leaders, Red Centre Enterprises and associated networks bring to life the sharing of story and song-line range at Southern Providore.

“This legacy initiative is not just about having these exciting products in-store. It is also about creating a journey of discovery and education, respectfully exploring the world’s oldest living culture, while allowing Australia’s first nations peoples to share their story and give a better understanding of the amazing people and communities behind these products and services.

“We welcome collaborations from many other first nations enterprises and communities and believe that together we can continue to have a positive impact to Australian and international communities, ensuring sustainable prosperity for their future generations.

“Red Centre believes that together we can continue to have a positive impact to Australian and international communities, ensuring sustainable prosperity for their future generations and prides itself on being inclusive to all.

“This on-going vision means genuine partnerships are developed to showcase our communities and ensure they are fully immersed in the decision-making processes along the journey.

“We thank Lagardere Travel Retail for their leadership in working with us through the development of Southern Providore and allowing this positive step forward for our elders and their communities.”

For those unable to visit Adelaide Airport, or who want to return for more, the Southern Providore website (www.souternprovidore.com.au) will soon offer online shopping with click-and-collect and delivery options.

Lagardere Travel Retail also operates a Lego/Kaboom store in Adelaide Airport’s Domestic Terminal and was awarded new duty free and international food and beverage concessions as part of the airport’s major international terminal redevelopment.