An intriguing new dual partnership is promising to improve business strategic positioning and performance in the key sectors of airlines, airports, investors and retail operators – according to joint founders, Keith Hunter and Nicholas Goddard-Palmer.

 

With more than 25 years’ industry experience, the two well-known travel retail industry retailers believe they can provide clients with first-hand knowledge and insight to help them make more informed decisions.

 

HUNTER WAS HEAD OF A HUGE OPERATION

For the uninitiated, Keith Hunter was most recently the Senior Vice President of Qatar Duty Free for Qatar Airways, having headed up the retail side of the Qatar Duty Free ground shops, as well as Qatar Airways’ inflight business. He also identified and even created both retail and F&B tenancies and brands at Hamad International Airport.

 

This world-class multi-billion-dollar airport hub comprised more than 40,000sq m of retail and F&B space and was rated the world’s fifth best by SKYTRAX after less than two years, besides winning the title of Global Travel Retailer for three years in a row.

 

By contrast, Nicholas Goddard-Palmer was also a driving force behind the Hamad International Airport F&B programme – the winner of SKYTRAX 5th World’s Best Airport for Dining 2017 – following spells as the CEO of DDFS at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and also as Project Development Manager for Cyprus airports.

 

 

Both individuals say they also have a unique aproach which differs from existing consultancies, as they explained: “We differ from our competitors because we don’t simply analyse data and form an opinion/strategy; but work personally with our clients to deliver the detail – whether it be building and developing viable, sustainable and award-winning commercial business models, or enhancing and problem-solving within existing business structures, bringing real value and benefit.

 

GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT…

“There is a general perception that for retailers, a space in an airport should be easy money. However, as operators we know that actually it is all too easy to get the balance wrong. A constantly shifting international audience, combined with recruitment issues and procedural and safety concerns can blur the lines between simply catering for passengers and really accommodating their needs.

 

“Also the delicate friendship between operator and retailer has to be considered alongside the particular demands of airlines – relationships that should be totally symbiotic, but are often fraught with difficulties. We offer a clear path through this minefield.

 

“We believe that success comes from understanding the particular challenges and opportunities of airport retail, a totally unique environment. We are specialists in airport retail.”

 

Both partners say they also know a thing or two about using passenger segmentation and destination analysis; terminal utilisation and development; category merchandising; concession planning and retail design; along with customer spend; retail turnover; and rental income modelling.

 

The new partnership says it is also flexible and experienced at working on both very big and small projects, alongside its skill for both transferring knowledge to clients and conveying this and other expertise to commercial project teams.

 

Contact details for both individuals are as follows: Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7951 799 094 Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7951 799 394 Hunter Palmer Website: www.hunterpalmer.net