Budapest Airport has marked 20 years of close collaboration with Heinemann Duty Free, which first opened at the airport in 1998.

Budapest Airport CCO Kam Jandu said: “Gebr. Heinemann has always been a loyal and important business partner for the airport. Providing a unique retail offering for all our customers, together we have expanded and established a successful duty free operation which has become the pillar of our shopping experience.”

The retailer opened its first 640sq m business unit 20 years ago. It now operates 2,320sq m of retail space in Budapest Airport’s SkyCourt including a central walk-through shop, two boarding gate shops, three specialist fashion stores, a Victoria’s Secret unit and a multi-brand accessories store.

In last five years alone both parties have presented 30 local brand trinity promotions, three international collaborations, an inaugural co-branded loyalty programme (Heinemann & Me) and the BARTA initiative.

HEINEMANN SALES INCREASE

Gebr. Heinemann sales have increased more than 50% in Budapest since 1998 and the airport continues to comprise the retailer’s highest percentage of regional sales across the whole company’s operations.

A focus on Hungarian products has been key to the partnership, with Budapest Airport and Heinemann becoming one of the largest export points for local produce. Best sellers such as Pick Salami, Zwack Unicum, Tokaj wine and chocoMe have become worldwide names, according to both parties.

Jandu added: “Over the last 20 years, Budapest has grown passenger numbers from 3.9m in 1998 to an expected 15m this year, representing an increase of +377%. During this time, we are delighted to have partnered with a progressive retailer like Heinemann Duty Free for the last two decades.

“They have evolved to become an integral part of selling Hungary’s top brands to travellers from around the world, which makes Budapest Airport very proud.”

Ildikó Jankovich, Director, Magyar Duty Free Kft commented: “For years now we have placed special emphasis on supporting the products of Hungarian manufacturers. It is no coincidence that our Budapest shop is number one in Heinemann’s entire European network in the distribution of original, branded food items.

“Over the past years, the proportion of Hungarian premium category products reached 25 % of our turnover, which is an exceptionally good result and also meets the demands of foreign passengers. During the past five years we featured no less than 30 different Hungarian products in our Trinity promotions, involving the duty free item, producer and the airport.”