UK. Alpha Retail has significantly enhanced its offer at Edinburgh Airport with the launch of a World News Café in the new terminal extension.
More than £400,000 (US$790,000) has been invested in the new unit, located in the recently opened South East Pier.
It is the eighth World News Café to begin trading and will be catering to the 9 million passengers expected to pass through Edinburgh Airport over the next year.
World News Café combines Alpha’s highly successful CTN retail concept with a modern coffee bar to create a one-stop retail and catering offer. All World News Cafés welcome business travellers and internet users, with the provision of power points and spacious seating, allowing customers to work while plasma screens broadcast up-to-the-minute news.
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A key feature of the concept is World News Airplay, an in-store plasma screen network which runs promotional messages | |
A key feature of the concept is World News Airplay, an in-store plasma screen network which runs continuous promotional messages on screens positioned in key locations throughout the store.
One third of the new 170sq m unit is dedicated to the CTN offer, with the remaining two thirds given over to the catering and seating area, which can host up to 50. Permanent flight information display screens means give passengers up-to-date flight information without having to leave their seats.
The café menu is designed to appeal to a broad range of passengers and offers hot and cold food and drinks that can be eaten in or taken away. For the early traveller World News Café offers breakfast paninis, filled croissants and a range of fruit, pastries and muffins.
Lunch and later options include pies, paninis and a range of sandwiches, baguettes and salads. Drinks include a variety of teas, coffees, cold drinks and a selection of alcoholic beverages. To date, sales of local speciality Scotch Pies have outstripped other hot food items.
The World News core categories of confectionery, books, newspapers and magazines are also on sale in the unit, along with a range of travel accessories, toiletries, Scottish gifts and confectionery. A range of stationery has also been introduced.
Reg Curtis, Managing Director of Alpha Retail, said: “This opportunity has enabled us, with the input of the BAA, to expand our offer to meet ever more discerning customer needs and makes a strong addition to the overall retail offer. Initial sales and penetration into the unit have been strong.”
MORE STORIES ON ALPHA RETAIL’S WORLD NEWS CAFE
Third coup for Alpha with ten-year Sharjah contract for flight catering and World News – 04/10/06
Alpha Airports Group delivers +3.8% rise in H1 revenues, posts solid profit growth – 28/09/06
