Gatwick Airport will add to its portfolio of UK High Street favourites this quarter with the opening of Oliver Bonas in March and Karen Millen in April (both in the North Terminal). In addition Max Mara will soon be joining the line up at Gatwick’s South Terminal within the Harrods store.

 

This follows hot on the heels of the first Ann Summers airport store opening back in November last year (again in the North terminal), expanding LGW’s range of swimwear and introducing underwear/lingerie options for travellers.

 

“At Gatwick, due to the huge variety of passengers using the airport, we need to cater to a wealth of different needs and wishes,” Gatwick Airport’s Head of Retail, Rachel Bulford tells TRBusiness.

 

“It just wouldn’t be in our passengers’ interests to be skewed too heavily towards one type of product category. As a result, our strategy at Gatwick has been to deliberately focus on a mid-market approach.

 

CONTINUALLY POLLING PASSENGERS

“We are continually polling our passengers and asking what sort of brands, products and services they would like to see at Gatwick, with many new arrivals a result of this passenger surveying. We really strive to achieve balance in our offer at Gatwick which receives consistent high scoring in our regular passenger satisfaction surveys.”

 

In February issue’s Affordable Luxury report, Bulford tells TRBusiness that she believes Gatwick has a great blend of luxury, affordable luxury and High Street brands, however, she is also cognisant that the airport needs to work harder on ‘increasing awareness of the value and services’ offered by the airport.

 

“The airport shopping environment is completely unique, due to the tax-free savings available and so for me the airport is home to ‘affordable luxury’.

 

“The cheaper prices enable some passengers to buy a brand or item they wouldn’t typically purchase on the High Street. However, there is perhaps an opportunity to increase understanding of the savings that can be made when shopping at the airport.”

 

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