LEBANON. The new Beirut Duty Free complex has got off to a spectacular start with sales running at +28% year-on-year despite the current downturn in passenger numbers.
As revealed earlier on The Moodie Report, the 5,000sq m (53,800sq ft) retail extravaganza has been trading since 1 April, with the official opening on 14 May. Beirut Duty Free is run by Phoenicia Aer Rianta Company (PAC), a joint venture between Aer Rianta International-Middle East and Beirut-based Phoenicia Afro/Asia.
PAC is promoting the new shopping offer with a consumer-oriented campaign themed “Downtown in the heart of Beirut Airport”.
“The feedback from the travelling public has been fantastic and they are delighted with the rapid transformation at the airport,” PAC general manager Gerry Crawford said. “Sales have seen an immediate uplift at the location despite the troubling passenger numbers and are now running weekly at +28% ahead of last year.”
Added Aer Rianta International-Middle East managing director John Sutcliffe: “Aer Rianta International Middle East is delighted with the new shops in Beirut, developed to such high international standards. The next six months will be spent fine-tuning the retail offer and maturing merchandising and presentation standards.
“The hard work conducted every year since our original involvement in 1995 is now all worthwhile and together with our partners and other shareholders, we look forward to the coming 15 years of our contract in Beirut. It is fantastic to see the location reverting to its historic importance.”
* A special pictorial profile on Beirut Duty Free appears in our Features section. Click here
