Jerome Falic (centre right), CEO of Duty Free Americas receives the Concession of the Year Award from MIA Concession Business Development Chief Adrian Songer (left), MIA Director Emilio González (third left), and MIA Assistant Director for Business Retention & Development Gregory Owens (right).

Miami International Airport (MIA) has recognised its best shops and restaurants – based on excellence in customer service, merchandise and menu offerings – at its inaugural Concession of the Year Awards last week.

Out of more than 200 retail and dining locations at the second busiest international airport in the US, DFA took the Overall Concession of the Year award, one of seven available. The winners were categorised by gross revenue and airport location (see table below) with the size categories determined by annual gross revenue. Large category nominees earned $5m or more, Medium nominees earned between $2m and $5m, and Small nominees grossed up to $2m.

Winners were judged by an independent panel of professionals based on excellence in presentation, retailing and merchandising/menu selection; uniqueness of space/street appeal; sales per square foot; and customer service.

Total retail sales at MIA hit $403.7m in 2015 of which $117.1m came from duty free sales (source: ARN).

“Second only to our airlines, our shops and restaurants are without a doubt the most visible and most important aspects of our airport,” says Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio González. “We are extremely proud of each Concession of the Year winner for setting the pace for all of our concessionaires.”