SRI LANKA. Alpha Orient Lanka (AOL) is working on a major re-development of arrivals and departures retailing at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, in conjunction with the airport authority.
AOL will operate a new arrivals shop of over 3,000sq ft. It will be in a prime location immediately after the immigration counters and will ensure a new look for the airport’s four key product categories – liquor, tobacco, fragrances and confectionery. Arrivals shopping generates about 50% of overall retail sales at the airport.
The new-look shop will incorporate increased space for the perfumery and an enhanced wine offer (the fastest-growing liquor category). It will have a frontage of 110sq ft, and its location will ensure that every passenger walks past or through the shop.
A new departures shop location has been allocated in a prime position which, again, all passengers will have to pass. This new shop will occupy 3,000sq ft, giving Alpha the opportunity to create a “˜new and exciting’ perfumery, exploiting the fastest-growing category in departures. Alpha will also introduce a destination merchandise store, “˜Sri Lanka – a land like no other’.
AOL Managing Director Paul Topping commented: “This expansion gives Alpha the opportunity to make major investments in Colombo Airport and includes shop fit-outs, systems and staffing levels. We look forward to working with the airport authority to deliver this exciting project.”
Alpha Airports Group purchased the Orient Lanka contract from the government in 1996. The business came with an exclusive duty free contract for four key product categories – liquor, tobacco, fragrances and confectionery – at Bandaranaike International Airport. It was hailed as the Sri Lankan government’s most successful privatisation.
