Global travel retailer Dufry has been re-appointed as Melbourne Airport’s partner for international duty free retail.
 
The contract held by Dufry-owned Nuance, which extends to 2022, includes a total metamorphosis of the duty free retail operations located in Terminal 2 over a 12 month period, with the new layout to be completed by the first quarter in 2017 and incorporating key elements of the next generation stores being developed by Dufry.
 
Andrew Gardiner, chief of retail at Melbourne Airport says the airport is fast becoming a preferred international gateway for many overseas visitors, especially Chinese travellers, which have seen a 24 per cent year-on-year increase in 2015.
 
“The growth of our international duty free retail offering underpins a critical component of Melbourne Airport’s retail transformation,” he explains.
 
“When complete, local and international visitors to the airport will benefit from a duty free retail experience that is in keeping with Melbourne’s renowned reputation as the fashion and retail capital of Australia.”
 
The partnership is a first for Dufry in Australia and CEO Julian Dufry says Melbourne Airport offers one of the most exciting expansion opportunities for Dufry’s duty free retail business in Asia – evolving well beyond its prior presence through its Nuance subsidiary.
 
“We thank Melbourne Airport for the renewal of this longstanding partnership and the trust put in our company and our local teams,” he says. “In creating a new, world-class duty free retail concept for Melbourne Airport, we have drawn on our expertise, which spans 63 countries and services and more than 1.5 billion potential international and domestic customers worldwide.
 
“As the only major airport in Australia that offers 24/7 operations and strong international passenger growth, Melbourne Airport’s approach has been one of partnership and we look forward to getting started on delivering our duty free retail vision and concept. Furthermore, this contract is an important step in our strategy to further expand our footprint across Asia.”
 
The retail transformation follows on from the successful opening and official launch of the new T4 domestic terminal and transport hub in December 2015. T4 is built on 20,000sqm over three levels and can accommodate up to 10 million passengers a year. It incorporates the latest self-service technology to provide passengers with a quick and easy start to their journey. A central departure lounge with more than 30 specialty retail and food and beverage stores provide passengers with an unrivalled shopping and dining experience.