Alpha Airports Group has signed a 50-50 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pantaloon Retail of India to pursue duty free and food and beverage contract opportunities at Indian airports.

Alpha has operated duty free shops in another joint venture operation with Kreol Trading at Cochin International Airport since 2002 and now operates the biggest duty free shop ? and arguably one of the best ? in the country.
This second joint venture with Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited, links it with part of the Future Group of India and Alpha says the contract is part of its forward strategy in investing in India to develop travel retail and food & beverage catering businesses at its leading airports.
The company rightly points out that there are a considerable number of opportunities within India for this new joint venture. Over 90% of India?s total traffic is through its top 10 airports, with international traffic growing at 15% and domestic traffic growing at 28% last year.
Alpha says it is currently in discussions with Pantaloon Retail about the various travel retailing and food and beverage opportunities which exist at Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi airports. At the same time, Mumbai airport is expected to issue its requests for proposals shortly. The government is also considering plans for the privatisation of Chennai and Kolkota airports.
In a statement today, Alpha said: ‘Alpha has operated in India since 2002 with its duty free shops at Cochin International Airport. The retail outlets at Cochin generate more than double the Indian average for spend per passenger (SPP). Since 1996 Alpha has operated in the wider Asian market in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
‘Pantaloon Retail is the largest retailer in India with over 100 outlets across India, covering 3.5m sq. ft of retail space and generating over US$440million in turnover. Pantaloon?s retail offerings now encompass, department stores (Central), Hyper markets (Big Bazaar) home (Home Town, Collection i), fashion (Pantaloons, Fashion Station), leisure (CO, F123), communications (m bazaar, Gen m), electronics (e-zone), food (food bazaar), and health & beauty (Start Sitara, Tulsi).’
Peter Williams, Ceo, Alpha Airports Group Plc, stated: ?India has the most exciting passenger growth and airport development world wide and we are very pleased to have the largest retail group in India working with us in this partnership. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to leverage our strong position in the Indian Subcontinent.?
Rakesh Biyani, Director, Pantaloon Retail said: ?Opportunities at Indian Airports are endless and we are delighted to tie up with Alpha.?