UK. Bristol Airport’s new World Duty Free (WDF) store was officially launched today, providing what the retailer describes as a state-of-the-art shopping experience for passengers.
The Moodie Report was on hand as the store was unveiled before local and industry media, and representatives of Bristol Airport and World Duty Free.
The new store is claimed to reflect WDF’s commitment to delivering “unbeatable value, outstanding product choice, exciting store environments and world-class customer service”.
The retailer has worked in close partnership with Bristol Airport to redesign the existing facility and create an inspiring store, which is based around WDF’s now familiar walk-through format.
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WDF CEO Mark Riches: “The new store is a complete transformation” |
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Bristol Airport CEO Robert Sinclair: “Our goal was to create a world-class retail experience” |
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The big moment arrives as the ribbon is cut to mark the official opening of the store |
Customers are led into an “exciting and engaging” retail space, which at 10,000sq ft is considerably larger than the previous store. As a result, it offers a more extensive range of products across all categories, including liquor, beauty, accessories and confectionery.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Bristol Airport CEO Robert Sinclair told guests and passengers: “It was almost exactly a year ago that we formally commenced the search for a new tax and duty free operator. Our goal was to create a world-class retail experience here at Bristol Airport.
“It was clear to us right from the start that World Duty Free was best in class and would really deliver the step change in retailing that we were looking for. We were impressed by their passion for the product, the sense of excitement, the attention to detail and the strong focus on customer service.
“Twelve months on, it is very clear to us that we made the right choice. We’re delighted with the new tax and duty free store and the new Collection store [a specialist watches, jewellery and sunglasses shop, also run by World Duty Free -Ed]. They certainly deliver on our wish for the wow factor. And to use WDF’s own brand line, they’re “˜more than we imagined’.”
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Click on the arrow to take a stroll through World Duty Free’s new walk-through store at Bristol International Airport |
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Simon Preece on the great transformation at Bristol Airport |
He added: “This store is the first that we have opened since the launch of our own new brand “˜Amazing Journeys Start Here’. That brand is about exceptional people working together at a progressive airport to provide passengers with excellent customer service.
“It’s also about having pride in representing the south west. This new store and the staff that work here are exactly what we had in mind when we developed that new brand.”
WDF CEO Mark Riches told the audience: “In one short year it’s been fantastic what has been achieved. We had a vision of creating a completely different standard of retail that Robert and the whole team at Bristol would be proud of, so that the passengers and customers from Bristol and the west country would be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with anybody else in the country and say “˜Our airport is as good as, if not better, than any other one.
“I think by and large we have achieved that. It is a complete transformation. I very much hope that walking through World Duty Free will be the start of their holiday, their business trip, their journey.”
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Our pictures (above and below) capture the diversity, product range and vibrancy of the new World Duty Free store |
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Singer Ben Montague helps create a party mood at World Duty Free’s new walk-though Bristol Airport store |
Many new brands have been introduced to Bristol, for example Biotherm, Lanvin and Van Cleefs & Arpels in the beauty and fragrance categories. Luxury is also a key category for the store and several new brands have been added, including Super Dry watches, TOY Watch and Pandora bracelets.
In sunglasses, more extensive ranges from Ray-Ban, Oakley and Radley are all proving extremely popular with customers, and a range of Crocs shoes has also been introduced.
WDF is committed to regionalising its store ranges to represent local specialities wherever possible. In the Bristol store a “˜Best from the West’ section (which will be increased in coming weeks) supports local businesses by showcasing their products and celebrating the region’s reputation for good quality food and drink. Featured brands include Guilbert’s chocolates and Westons Cider.
To mark the official launch of the new store, Robert Sinclair made the first purchase – some locally sourced chocolates from the “˜Best of the West’ range and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
He commented: “This exciting development gives people flying from Bristol Airport access to great products at attractive prices, all in an exciting retail environment.
“Whether stocking up for the family holiday or picking up presents after a business trip, the new World Duty Free store has something for all our passengers.”
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More than you imagined – Mark Riches rides west |
WDF has again majored on its digital media channel dubbed Contentainment. The concept blends in-store media, products and events to draw customers into the store and give them an exciting and ever-changing store experience, WDF said.
The store features a unique format of the Contentainment screens, which are suspended directly from the ceiling in a circular ‘chandelier’. Live performances are being staged in-store today to celebrate the launch event, with singer-songwriter Ben Montague and vocalist Tristan Mackay providing the upbeat soundtrack.
Customers can also enjoy sampling of Brugal Rum, Mars Celebrations and demonstrations of ghd hair styling products.
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World Duty Free has also opened a specialist watches, sunglasses and jewellery store called Collection |
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