US. Today at noon Aldeasa will celebrate the Grand Opening of its new duty free store at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, an important landmark for the Spanish retailer. [NOTE: To read our subsequent story from the Grand Opening, click here].
Over 100 guests will attend the inauguration of the 640sq m store, including Aldeasa CEO José-Maria Palencia Saucedo, HMSHost President and CEO Elie Maalouf and Alpha Retail USA President Rod Wiltshire.
It’s a big moment for the Spanish travel retailer. Atlanta represents Aldeasa’s travel retail debut in the US (though not in North America, as it already operates in Vancouver, Canada) and the company hopes this contract will form an important bridgehead for further growth.
Additionally, the opening is the first major public event since parent company Autogrill’s travel retail portfolio was expanded with the recent addition of World Duty Free to its ranks. The Italian travel retailer-to-caterer now owns Aldeasa, Alpha Group and World Duty Free as well as food & beverage and retail company HMSHost – the latter was the former duty free retailer here in Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson International is the world’s busiest passenger airport, handling over 84 million passengers a year. Most are domestic but international numbers are rising fast.
Here we present a snapshot preview of the new store – look out for additions to the Retail Picture Gallery and further commentary in coming days.
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The signs say it all as the countdown to Friday’s big opening continues |
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The store is notable for the use of giant video walls to lure passengers inside |
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Big open shop windows are used to let the passer-by know what’s on offer inside the store |
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Clinique (left) and MAC (right) both enjoy a strong presence in the key cosmetics offer | |
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The mighty Chanel dominates the centre of the store, leading a strong perfumes & cosmetics selection | |
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(Left) General Manager Isaías Díaz with Store Manager Sheliah Carr; (Right) The sign says it all for Myriam Avello (Aldeasa International Co-Ordinator North America) | |
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Cigarettes (left) and foodstuffs are two of the four core categories that dominate the 640sq m store | |
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A strong price offer (boosted by the attractively soft US Dollar) is key to the spirits and liqueurs sector (left); (Right) White spirits, led by a booming vodka category, are key to the mix at Atlanta | |
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