CHINA. Global travel retail powerhouse Avolta today hailed the start of operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where its Shanghai Duty Free joint venture opened for business at 7am local time.
The company’s breakthrough contract at Pudong embraces 43 departures and arrivals duty-free shops spanning more than 8,000sq m of space in the international areas of Terminal 1 (T1) and Satellite Hall 1 (S1).
As reported, Avolta – as Dufry (Shanghai) Commercial Co – was awarded Concession 1 of a three-pronged tender covering Shanghai Pudong and Hongqaio international airports. Concessions 2 and 3 were awarded to China Duty Free Group (CDFG).
As revealed by The Moodie Davitt Report on 11 December, Avolta and CDFG topped the bidding result. The contracts are structured as joint ventures with the retailer in each case holding 51% and the airport 49%.
An Avolta statement on LinkedIn said, “A historic moment. A major milestone. A new beginning. At 7am local time on January 1, Avolta Shanghai Duty Free officially opened its doors. We are proud to welcome our new team members and begin this next chapter together.
”Just two weeks after signing the lease agreement, this achievement is now a reality; a testament to focus, collaboration, and execution at speed. Thanks to the leadership of [President & CEO Asia Pacific] Freda Cheung, [Managing Director North Asia] Michael Wong, [Business Development Senior Manager] Alan Junxi Chen our China and wider APAC and Global teams, what once seemed ‘impossible’ has been delivered.
“Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Your belief and dedication turned ambition into action.
This opening is proof of our momentum, partnership, and progress – a great cause for celebration.”
Shanghai Pudong International Airport becomes Avolta’s first airport location in APAC where it will operate all three lines of business (duty free, convenience and food & beverage) bringing together what the company called the full breadth of the company’s capabilities at one destination.
*Click here for earlier reaction to the contract win.
Click here for CDFG comment on the launch of its new duty-free shops at Pudong and Hongqiao airports today. ✈
