Gebr Heinemann’s Exquisite Shop at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport has been awarded the ‘Habanos Specialist’ seal.

Cigar connoisseurs visiting the outlet, which sales fine wines, spirits and cigars, know they will receive cuban cigar specialities and excellent service. At present, there are around 700 ‘Habanos Specialist’ shops worldwide.

According to Gebr. Heinemann, which runs the airside liquor and tobacco and confectionery business at the airport, Habanos awards the seal to shops wanting to stay ahead of the competition in the premium cigar segment.

RANGE REQUIREMENT

Those offering a large range of Cuban cigars in an ‘excellently equipped’ ambience are in with a chance of receiving this accolade.

Shops must also meet various other requirements to obtain the seal. They must be distinguished with a suitable humidor and staff have to be specially trained.

More than 50% of the premium cigars must be Habanos and the remainder of the range has to fit in with the Habanos assortment and include the top-sellers in the relevant country.

In return, Habanos offers certified shops benefits such as special training courses, integration in the Habanos website and a purchase option for new products and special launches.

Rüdiger Stelkens, Director Purchasing Liquor Tobacco Confectionery and Fine Food, Gebr. Heinemann said: “The latter is particularly important to us, especially if bad harvests cause supply shortages for the high-class products. Thanks to the seal, we can always still offer our customers the best Habanos.”

On the liquor front, Heinemann enjoys a fruitful partnership with Mast-Jägermeister and recently collaborated with the German family-owned brand to implement a new activation at Amsterdam Schiphol around the ice cold serve.