A television report on Channel NewsAsia tonight (Sunday 19 January) suggested Changi Airport’s retail sales reached more than S$2bn ($1.5bn) last year.

 

According to the report, Chinese customers accounted for 25% of value sales last year, followed by Singaporeans, Indonesians, Australians and Indians.

 

At the same time Ivy Wong, CAG’s SVP for Airside Concessions said part of the reason for the airport’s sales success is also the adjustments made to the retail mix to meet changing consumer demand at Changi.

 

[Ed’s note: This report can be watched on video by clicking the following link: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/changi-airport-rakes-in/959534.html].

 

 

 

A STELLAR YEAR FOR CHANGI RETAIL…

These comments tallied with earlier comments from CAG CEO Lee Seow Hiang acknowledging that 2013 has been ‘a stellar year for Changi Airport on the retail front’. [This compares with Changi’s 2012 result where concession sales rose by 12% to more than S$1.8bn/$1.4bn, while outperformng traffic growth of 10% to 51.2m-Ed].

 

Referring to 2013, Lee Seow Hiang said: “A strong retail business underpins our continual efforts to keep Changi Airport competitive, augmenting its status as an air hub. For 2013, we achieved record high concession sales, with a healthy growth rate that outperformed passenger traffic growth for the period.

 

“This is the result of an effective retail strategy comprising a compelling retail mix, as well as dynamic campaigns to drive sales and create buzz throughout the year. Our anchor promotion, ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’, is part of our efforts to deliver an airport experience like none other for our passengers, spurring them to rethink the concept of travel.”

 

Lee Seow Hiang was referring to the Changi Millionaire prize draw, which was held today at Changi Airport Terminal 3 (see separate news story).