Gebr. Heinemann is to cease operating its duty free & travel value shops at Cologne Bonn Airport when its current contract ends on 31 December 2020.

The decision has been taken because the retailer and airport have different ideas about future contractual conditions relating to elements such as shop space, concession fees and terms.

Gebr. Heinemann operates five shops at the airport covering around 1,800sq m with around 100 employees.

Last year, both parties celebrated  50 years of partnership, following the opening of the retailer’s first airport store in 1969.

SOCIAL COMPENSATION PLAN

An airport spokesperson told TRBusiness: “We are very sorry that our cooperation with Gebr. Heinemann, which has been going on for 50 years, is coming to an end for the new year. We have a long-standing and trusting partnership, with many passengers benefitting from the company’s commitment to our terminals over the past decades and stocking themselves with duty-free products for their journey.

“During the most recent contract negotiations, no solution could be found that would have been justifiable for the profitability of both companies. We are very sorry. Nevertheless, we are happy to present new concepts to our passengers in the vacant space in our terminals during the coming year.”

Nina Semprecht, Head of Communications, Gebr. Heinemann added: “Cologne/Bonn Airport is a valued partner. We have a long history of working together more than 50 years in trustful cooperation.

“Against this background, we very much regret that we will not continue our partnership after the current retail concession expires.

“We will immediately start negotiations with the workers’ council to draw up a social compensation plan, as unfortunately all employment relationships will end for operational reasons.”