Frankfurt’s grand vision of an Airport City takes shape amid ambitious commercial programme – 11/05/

Uptown Duty Free, run by Gebr Heinemann, has been “avidly accepted by shoppers and has emerged as a huge success” says Fraport

GERMANY. Fraport, owner of Frankfurt Airport, is stepping up an already ambitious programme of retail and food & beverage openings as part of a grand vision to complete an “˜Airport City’

Last year it opened 45 new or remodeled shops and restaurants. This year will see a number of new outlets, renovations, lease transfers and updated concepts for existing shops.

“We’re working hard to make the terminal more attractive for all of its users,” commented Dr Wilhelm Bender, Chairman of Fraport’s executive board, “and in doing so are getting even closer to realising our vision of an Airport City.”

This vision involves transforming Frankfurt Airport over the next decade into an Airport City with business, cultural, entertainment and wellness offerings, Fraport said.

In June the A and B departure areas of Terminal 1 will gain three new shops with total retail space of nearly 500sq m at a heavily trafficked location: Jack Wolfskin, the Airport Boutique (travel bags) and a bookstore of the Swiss Valora Group.

The structures have already been finished, and the future concessionaires are fleshing out their interiors. Frankfurt Airport will become the world’s first airport to boast a Jack Wolfskin store. The Airport Boutique will implement a multibrand travel baggage concept with brands including the Samsonite Black Label, which is only available at a limited number of retail outlets.

Fraport’s flavoursome appeal: Käfer’s Bistro, reopened in T1’s Shopping Avenue last year

In addition, new concessionaires will debut on existing space in Shop Row A on the departure level of T1. There, Fraport said, a planned brand store for Lloyd shoes – the strongest shoe brand in the German market – will find the right target group “since so many male business passengers pass through that part of the airport”. Other successful concepts will be continued; for instance, the Pfüller Kids lease is being extended for another five years.

Illy espressamente, opened by LSG Airport Gastronomie in 2006

In the Shopping Boulevard on T1’s departure level a new Porsche Design shop will open later this year. Located directly opposite the Burresi fashion store, it rounds out the up-market fashions and accessories on offer in the Shopping Boulevard.

The food & beverage offerings are also being continually improved. The restyled Bar 24 opened a few days ago on Level 2 of Hall E in T2. The outlet is open 24 hours a day and is run by Steigenberger Airport Gastronomie.

A completely new retail area is now being created below T1: the Airport City Mall. The first section, underneath Hall C, will open before the end of this year.

BACKGROUND TO GROWTH

Effective use of space was key to last year’s new look for Frankfurt’s Travel Value shop

Frankfurt Airport posted new passenger volume and flight movement records in the first quarter. In March alone, 4.5 million passengers were counted – over 260,000 more than in the previously busiest March in 2005.

This growth in passengers has been driven by a long roster of new flight connections and dynamic growth in intercontinental traffic.

Fraport noted: “This increase naturally also means many more potential shoppers and food & beverage consumers. Which is why one of the declared goals of Fraport AG is to expand the amount of attractive retail space available at Frankfurt Airport.”

At the end of 2006 there were over 210 retail outlets at Frankfurt Airport, including 114 stores, 17 Duty Free and Travel Value shops (run by Gebr Heinemann), 52 bars, cafés and restaurants, and 44 services such as banks, money changers and car rental companies.

Highlights of 2006 included a Lufthansa World Shop which made its debut in November with fashionable travel bags and aviation articles in the Lufthansa look.

It has since established itself as Germany’s most successful World Shop outlet. It is sited close to the Lufthansa check-in area, with the added bonus that passengers can spend their Lufthansa Blue Miles there.

The Gebr Heinemann-run Duty Free Uptown Boutique, which also opened in November 2006, has been “avidly accepted by shoppers and emerged as a huge success”, Fraport said.

A selection of accessories from upscale brands such as Armani, Boss, Bvlgari and Montblanc are displayed in an elegant ambience framed with beautiful light and dark hardwoods.

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