SCANDINAVIA. The travel retail offer at Norwegian airports (including Oslo International, Flesland, Værnes, Kjevik and Sola airports) is more expensive than those at either Stockholm Arlanda or Copenhagen Airport, according to a price comparison in Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.
In two separate baskets, Norway’s airport shops – operated by Gebr Heinemann – were found to be more expensive for every product. Copenhagen Airport, where shops are also operated by Gebr Heinemann, offered the best prices for all beauty products tested – Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme 125ml edt, Christian Dior Mascara No. 99 Black 10ml, Chanel No. 5 50ml edt, and Guerlain Ombre Eclat 6 Couleurs.
In all other product categories shops at Stockholm (operated by The Nuance Group) or Copenhagen were the cheapest.
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How airport retail prices fared inAftenposten’s comparison |
Travel Retail Norway Director HÃ¥kon Fjeld-Hansen told Aftenposten: “We want to be competitive at all times, and perform surveys several times a year where we compare the prices of hundreds of products. Exchange rates can vary from day to day, but we are in a price range of +/-5% in comparison to other duty free shops in Europe.”
However the article noted that the price differential between duty free and domestic stores – the major factor in duty free pricing – remains high in Norway. A one-litre bottle of Absolut vodka costs NOK149 in Norway’s duty free stores compared with NOK420 in the state monopoly, while one litre of Oplandske Rakefisk Aquavit is NOK179 in duty free compared with NOK395 for 70cl on the domestic market.
Similarly in beauty, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara costs NOK290 in Norwegian high street beauty chain Kick, compared with NOK190 at the airport.
In a celebratory press release issued by Copenhagen Airports, Heinemann Retail APS Chief Executive Officer Sören Borch said: “Price is a very important parameter for us. Our price guarantee for fragrances and cosmetics means that customers can rest assured that our prices are -20% below normal city price.”
As reported, Heinemann opened its new main store at Copenhagen in March. As well as offering -20% on domestic beauty prices, the new store also offers better value on liquor to intra-EU passengers, offering the same one-litre bottles at the same price to both non-EU and intra-EU passengers.
Copenhagen Airports Vice President Sales & Marketing Carsten Nørland added: “At Copenhagen Airport we make every effort to give travellers extraordinary travel experiences. Attractive prices are a key element, but it is also important for us to inspire and give passengers experiences beyond their expectations. The new Tax Free concept is a good example of how we focus on extraordinary experiences.”
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Heinemann’s stores at Copenhagen Airport offer the best value for beauty products in Scandinavia |
