NEW ZEALAND. LS travel retail Pacific has launched Aelia Duty Free stores in airside Departures and Arrivals at Queenstown Airport.
The new stores – the first under the Aelia brand in Australasia – have more than doubled the duty free footprint at the South Island tourism-driven airport.
The travel retail specialist has used the expanded space to bring a number of international brands to Queenstown Airport for the first time including Christian Dior, Estée Lauder, L’Occitane, Jurlique, Clarins and OPI.
Leveraging the strengths of its global vendor partnerships, the retailer has also brought new categories to the airport, including sunglasses, fashion watches and jewellery from brands such as Guess, Nautica, DKNY and Fossil.
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(Left to right): Queenstown Airport CEO Scott Paterson; Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Vanessa van Uden;LS travel retail Pacific General Manager Duty Free Ivo Favotto; and LS travel retail group CEO for the Pacific Matthieu Mercier prepare to open the stores |
Passengers will also experience a range of leading technology accessory brands under the retailer’s ‘tech2go’ banner, and an area dedicated to showcasing wines from the local Central Otago region.
LS travel retail Pacific General Manager Duty Free Ivo Favotto described the new offer as “combining the biggest international brands in duty free with a distinctly New Zealand taste”.
The development was made possible through a strong partnership approach between the relevant stakeholders and the signing of a ten-year concession agreement, Favotto continued.
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A taste of the region: Queenstown lies in Central Otago, home to some fine New Zealand wines, led by some outstanding Pinot Noirs. Aelia Duty Free has showcased them elegantly in its new stores. |
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Guests sampled a range of vintages from Central Otago’s Amisfield Wines while exploring the new duty free offer |
He said these factors were key elements behind the company’s significant investment in store design and retail innovations, and acknowledged invaluable support by the company’s vendor partners in the creation of the new retail experience.
In an inauguration event held on the evening of 25 July, guests and VIPs were treated to a selection of wines from local vintners as they perused the new departures lounge store.
Speaking at the event, Queenstown Airport CEO Scott Paterson said: “Our vision is to make Queenstown easy to get to, with an airport that leaves a wonderful first and lasting impression. For us this is very much about our terminal experience… and duty free plays an important part in this mission.
“Thanks to LS travel retail Pacific we now have a beautiful duty free offer to match our new international terminal.”
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Aelia Duty Free at Queenstown Airport showcases several international brands seen for the first time at the airport |
Paterson described the faith shown by the retailer and its vendor partners as being well justified. “Queenstown Airport is experiencing strong growth, with passenger numbers in the last financial year up +24%,” he said. “We’re convinced this growth in traffic, our investments in the new terminal and our fantastic new duty free offer will have a positive outcome for everyone, especially – and most importantly – our passengers.”
Speaking of the importance of the opening for the LS travel retail group CEO for the Pacific Matthieu Mercier explained: “At its heart, Aelia Duty Free is about unique experiences, just like Queenstown. It’s also built on innovation. Innovation in retail design, in the brands we stock and the categories we bring to the market. Perhaps most importantly – innovation in the way we approach customer service, treating each and every traveller interaction as an opportunity to build a relationship.
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The stores feature an expanded offering across core duty free categories, including confectionery, liquor and perfumes & cosmetics |
“To me, this is what visiting Queenstown is all about. It’s the unique experiences, the small moments and the warmth of the people of Queenstown, which creates truly magic memories for visitors.
“This is what we plan to reflect in the duty free experience… to create a fantastic first impression for arriving passengers and locals returning home, and a lasting, fond farewell for departing travellers. To have Aelia Duty Free act as an ambassador for the region.”
Aelia Duty Free at Queenstown Airport adds to the company’s growing presence in luxury and duty free within the Pacific region, including stores under the Duty Free Stores New Zealand and Duty Free Stores Australia banners, as well as Aelia Duty Free stores in Noumea.
This latest development signals a strong commitment to be a leader in duty free retailing throughout the region, the company stated.
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Several new categories have been introduced, including fashion watches, jewellery, sunglasses and technology accessories |
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This striking Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection display leads the way into a well-represented liquor section |
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Sunglasses and other accessories complete a diverse offer that has more than doubled the previous duty free footprint |
