US. Aldeasa today celebrated the Grand Opening of its new duty free store at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at a function attended by over 100 VIPs.
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The big moment arrives as the ribbon-cutting marks the opening of Aldeasa’s first US airport store | |
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Click image to watch Aldeasa CEO José-María Palencia’s speech from the Grand Opening ceremony |
The opening of the 640sq m store marks Aldeasa’s debut in the US. Senior representatives from the Mayor’s office, the Department of Aviation, Aldeasa sister companies HMSHost and Alpha Group, Shellis Management Services (Aldeasa’s DBE partner) and Aldeasa were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a celebratory luncheon. As guests arrived, they – and shoppers – were entertained by two top local jazz musicians.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Director of Concessions John Cugasi introduced proceedings by telling guests: “Our mission is clearly not all about being the world’s busiest airport but all about being the world’s greatest in the passengers’ eyes. [Click here to see a short film clip of the new store].
“The store we are celebrating today clearly moves us towards that goal. We are extremely proud at the effort that Aldeasa and the greater team have put forward. The duty free experience is a central and very exciting part of the traveller’s journey – we envisaged an experience that would be bright, energetic, memorable and filled with a shopping experience of the greatest brands that passengers have come to know and love. This shop has delivered on that promise and has really delivered a quality shopping experience for our travellers.”
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Open for business: It’s all smiles as the formalities are completed | |
Mayor Shirley Franklin’s Chief of Staff Gregory G. Pridgeon said: “Atlanta is a world-class city and we deserve a world-class duty free shop. We are a city of 500,000, but millions travel through this airport on a regular basis and we want those experiences to be fantastic for them.
“We are proud to be Atlantans and we are proud to welcome our new friends from Madrid and around the world who are partners with us in this effort.”
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Assistant General Manager Commercial Development Arnaldo Ruiz said: “We are very, very excited about the opening of the Aldeasa duty free shop. As we strive to become the world’s best airport by exceeding customer expectations we are always searching for ways to enhance that experience.
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The giant video walls on the outside of the store add to the bright new look of duty free at Hartsfield-Jackson | |
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John Cugasi on how duty free has come of age in Atlanta The Director of Concessions at Hartsfield-Jackson International talks about the importance of putting the customer first |
“Our concessions programme is always in search of partners who will allow us to bring in new concepts, new exciting ideas and new products and innovations. Today we celebrate the opening of one such concept”¦ it’s an excellent example of the evolution and transformation of our retail programme”¦ and one that brings in new life that is exciting and progressive.
“There was a great deal of thought and inspiration behind the design of this store and I would like to applaud Aldeasa for their creativity. I would also like to mention [Aldeasa Atlanta General Manager] Isaías Díaz and [Store Manager] Sheliah Carr who on a daily basis are very hands-on with the management of the store and whose focus is strictly to offer the best customer service to our passengers.
“The concession programme is one of the crown jewels at Hartsfield-Jackson, and this store really makes it shine even brighter.”
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Aldeasa’s trademark yellow lights up Terminal E, where most of Hartsfield’s international passengers fly out of | |
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Aldeasa CEO José-María Palencia Entering the major league in the USA |
In a passionate speech Aldeasa CEO José-María Palencia said: “One thing we have learned since we have been here is how important the airport is in the life of the city, the most up-and-coming city in the United States.
“We are committed, along with the airport of Atlanta, to exceeding the expectations of passengers.” He closed by paying tribute to the 100 or so Atlantans working in the Aldeasa team “who will make our dream come true” as well as to Shellis Management Services President Clark Sharpe and HMSHost CEO Elie Maalouf, who had played a key role in getting the store opened.
In a typically ebullient presentation, Maalouf said: “Thank you to the City of Atlanta for receiving and opening the finest duty free store in the United States. I go to all of them and this is the finest.”
Sharpe said: “I think we have truly reached a new customer experience. This aviation department expects to be world class and we expect to epitomise their customer service vision.”
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(Left) The beauty offer dominates the store; (Right) Aldeasa CEO José-María Palencia: “A dream come true” | |
Look out for a much-extended Retail Picture Gallery early next week as we bring you more images from the Grand Opening and from the newest addition to Aldeasa’s duty free portfolio.
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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) Two key figures – 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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