The world’s largest global travel retail operator, Dufry, has expanded its presence at Perth International Airport this week with new stores in both the departures and arrivals areas of Terminal 3.

 

The new stores follow the unveiling of Dufry’s multi-million-dollar revamp of the T1 duty free outlet which took place in June of last year. Dufry sealed a seven-year duty free contract at Perth Airport back in July 2018.

 

Dufry’s range of products, in excess of 1,600 skus, is now available to customers via the Perth Airport website (www.perthairport.com.au) prior to travel with purchases being picked up in-store at T3.

 

Perth Airport Chief Corporate Services Officer Debra Blaskett has welcomed the expansion.

 

A PERIOD OF TRANSITION

“Travellers to Terminal 3 International will be given the world class customer experience at which is at the heart of everything we do.”

Although Dufry expected to open the stores yesterday (Tuesday 14 January) it said that the full transition would be complete after a few more days.

 

“We know customers will love the new stores but we ask them to be patient during the transition as it will mean a temporary reduced line of stock with only core lines available,” added Blaskett.

In conversation with Andrea Belardini, Dufry Divisional CEO for Asia Pacific & Middle East, he mentioned that when the company first opened its store in Perth, the trading environment was challenging.

A slowdown in passenger arrivals meant that there was a dampening of spend from Australians towards the end of 2018 and during 2019. Australians are a dominant consumer group in Perth, more so than in Melbourne where the company also operates.

 

BUILDING ON STRONG PROGRESS

However, Belardini said he was ‘certainly satisfied’ with the performance of the T1 shop for a number of reasons.

 

“We have collected very important accolades for customer experience and we have made strong progress across a number of different categories, so we are satisfied. And we do believe we’re in a position now to tap into the future growth opportunity.”