| A wonder of the airport world This article forms part of a series on Abu Dhabi International Airport’s magnificent new Terminal A, which began operations on 1 November. The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie visited the terminal in late November both on a guided basis and separately as an unencumbered passenger. His interviews with key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi Airports leadership and management, concessionaires and designers, will be published over coming days and weeks. These will culminate in an exclusive eZine post the 9 February 2024 official inauguration, designed to capture the enthralling narrative of this extraordinary project. |
UAE. ARI has revealed details and images of its new operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A, which opened on 1 November.
The retailer said the move elevates its presence in the region and “establishes ARIME as the foremost multi-site operator across the Middle East (GCC), marking a new era of retail excellence for the region”.
[Martin Moodie was on location recently in Abu Dhabi to meet Abu Dhabi Airports and partners including ARI, and will build on this story with his review in coming days -Ed]
ARI Middle East in joint partnership with local partners operating as Travel Retail Sales and Services (TRSS) runs the perfumes, cosmetics, skincare, jewellery and sunglasses categories.
TRSS CEO Adrian Bradshaw said: “Seeing this project come to life has been a remarkable experience. We have poured our passion and commitment into creating these world-class stores, and it is incredibly rewarding to see passengers enjoying them over the last few weeks.
“This venture is more than just a business achievement; it reflects our dedication to excellence and our commitment to providing an exceptional shopping experience in travel retail, both for our customers and our partners. The positive feedback we are receiving is a positive affirmation of our efforts and vision.”
The new stores are inspired by the culture and creativity of the region and have been designed to reflect this with Sense of Place, noted ARI, through art installations, sculptural pieces and colour.
The result, said the retailer, is an “unprecedented unique and outstanding travel retail experience like no other for passengers and a world-class offering that sets Abu Dhabi Airport apart in this industry”.
The store pays homage to forward-thinking Emirati architecture and design, in the designs, supported by the latest technology and with ESG considerations at the forefront, it is fully compliant with Estidama regulations.
The TRSS offering runs across the following categories:
- Beauty: Over 100 brands across skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance. Introducing exclusive brands for the UAE including Charlotte Tilbury, Huda Beauty, Fenty, Pat McGrath Labs, and Aesop among others.
- The perfume category presents a diverse portfolio with niche a key focus represented by brands such as Creed, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Penhaligons, Byredo, Diptyque and new introductions like Parfum de Marly, Loewe, Thameen of London plus Initio added to the category.
- There is also a curated assortment of gifting rituals from brands including Carolina Herrera, Molton Brown, Diptyque and Jo Malone, among others. The store design has introduced first-to-market concepts using the latest technology in digital and smart platforms to deliver an experience which culminates in the ‘Essence of Arabia’ – a multisensory heart of the category.
- Sunglasses: The Spectrum sunglasses concept aims to “surprise and delight” passengers via customer service and a personalised experience for shoppers.
- The offering consists of four categories from entry-level and lifestyle brands to premium fashion and luxury favourites including Dior, Gucci and Cartier. Customer engagement is enticed by innovative technology with a digital magic mirror quiz that allows a customer to select their face shape and then suggests the sunglasses to suit them.
- Jewellery: The ‘Gem & I’ jewellery offering presents a range of brands to ensure a strong reflection of international brands and local favourites. Gifting has been given a key focus through the dynamic and luxurious store design, inspired by the art and culture within the region.
- The zone offers a mix of international and well-known local brands, with brand stalwart Swarovski, alongside disruptive trend-setting brands like PDPAOLA, and Authur, a TRSS exclusive, which offers a classic collection.
ARIME CEO Rob Marriott said, “We are thrilled to unveil our latest venture at Abu Dhabi Airport, a true testament to ARI’s commitment to innovation and excellence in travel retail. This launch is not just about expanding our footprint; it’s about continuing to redefine the travel retail experience.
“Our new store in Terminal A embodies our vision of blending local culture with global trends and offering passengers an immersive shopping experience unlike any other. We are proud to be the largest multi-site operator in the Middle East (GCC), with a portfolio of world-class stores, and look forward to continuing to set new benchmarks in the industry.”
Abu Dhabi Airports Chief Commercial Officer Maureen Bannerman said, “Abu Dhabi Airports are delighted to welcome ARI’s brand line-up to our wide selection of brands and operators. Their expertise and innovation together with commitment for service will support our ambitions to deliver the most amazing customer experience.”
The new terminal at Abu Dhabi Airport consists of 18,000sq m allocated to retail space, of which ARI operates 2,068sq m for perfume, cosmetics, skincare, jewellery and sunglasses. ✈
