Gatwick Airport completes South Terminal retail transformation

“Our new retail space not only demonstrates our forward thinking but also our desire to deliver on what our passengers ask for, be it a luxury department store or a high-street favourite.“

Spencer Sheen Head of Retail London Gatwick

UK. Gatwick Airport has completed the retail transformation of its South Terminal, with an additional ten new or refreshed stores opening in the Departures lounge.

It marks the final phase of a £40 million (US$65.9 million) project which has seen a total of 21 new or refreshed stores open in the terminal. The most recent shops to open, in December and January, were Superdry, Fat Face, Snow+Rock, Ted Baker, Zara, Best of the Best, London News, Mango, Joules and Victoria’s Secret.

The first phase of the project was completed in August 2013 and saw the opening of 11 new and refreshed stores including two airport firsts – Aspinal of London and Ernest Jones – and a 6,500sq ft flagship Harrods store focusing on fashion & accessories.

The new retail line-up was selected based on passenger feedback, which called for a more premium and stronger mainstream offering of both national and international brands.

Zara’s 4,500sq ft outlet is its largest UK airport store to date, while Ted Baker has a 1,000sq ft store. Snow+Rock has also made its airport debut with a 1,000sq ft outlet.

London Gatwick Head of Retail Spencer Sheen said: “We are very proud of the completion of the South Terminal International Departure Lounge, which takes airport shopping and the passenger experience to a whole new level.

“Our new retail space not only demonstrates our forward thinking but also our desire to deliver on what our passengers ask for, be it a luxury department store or a high-street favourite. And the results we have seen so far speak for themselves as more than 80% of our passengers have rated as ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ the selection of retail outlets available at the airport.”

The retail line-up in the South Terminal is based on feedback from passengers

A survey of 2,060 passengers commissioned by the airport in September 2012 had shown that 56% wanted more high street and international brands, 38% wanted a premium department store and 22% wanted more designer brands.

Snow+Rock Marketing Director Kevin Young said: “Opening our new store in Gatwick has been an exciting journey from concept through to trading. The information on flights, passenger numbers and footfall has enabled us to have a strong commercial operation, reacting to the changes in customer type.

“As we enter the peak summer period we look forward to realising the potential of a tightly focused product range that exceeds the expectations of the Gatwick passenger.

The first phase of the project was completed in August 2013

Dixons Travel Head of Expansion and Development Gavin Wood added: “We are delighted after trading at Gatwick for fast approaching 20 years to be part of the development in South Terminal, which is a major transformation from the old departure lounge.

“We worked in partnership with Gatwick to create a brand new store which puts customers at the centre. The store was designed to excite and inspire the Gatwick passenger and the feedback has been overwhelming.”

NOTE: The March Print Edition of The Moodie Report will feature an extensive look at the retail transformation of Gatwick Airport.