SPAIN. Dufry has hailed the recently announced agreements with Aena which see it retain a substantial set of duty free concessions across the Spanish airports network. Under plans for the new concessions, Dufry will expand its space by +30% and include some hybrid retail and F&B concepts.
As reported, the company was awarded lots across Andalusia-Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and Madrid for 12 years. This represents all of the lots it bid for, said the company.
A Dufry statement said: “In line with Aena’s tender process, the awarded company must have presented the best technical proposals and economic offers, and with Dufry winning five of the six lots, the company confirms its global leadership in travel retail and travel F&B.”
Dufry Chief Executive Officer Xavier Rossinyol commented: “We really believe that we are the best partner for Aena, and see this award, where we retain nearly all our operations, as a confirmation of the potential offered by our newly combined business and our exciting strategy to create a travel experience revolution.
“Our strategy, Destination 2027, will be brought to life in our Spanish operations through a consumer-centric and digitally engaging offer that combines travel retail with F&B, generating value for our customers, for our concession partner Aena, for our brand partners and suppliers, and for Dufry.
“Importantly, the new contracts will be accretive to our profitability and cash flow, in line with our business development strategy and our commitment provided to the market. This is with thanks to the material additional space of +30%, number of new categories granted and the new spaces to operate F&B within retail, allowing us to give a key push to our new hybrid concepts.”
He said that Dufry was pleased to continue its longstanding partnership with Aena, and also thanked Luis Suárez, CEO of Canresa, for his company’s collaboration in the Canary Islands market.
Dufry said it aimed to take advantage of its business combination with Autogrill “to renovate its stores, revolutionise the traveller’s experience through a hybrid offering, getting the best out of retail and F&B, with a sensational line up of concepts characterised by digitisation and innovation, reinforcing ties with customers and offering immersive experiences. Delivering on a strong Sense of Place, the redesign is inspired by the history, culture and tradition of the city where each airport is located; the store becomes the city.”
Dufry said it would also create smart outlets where customers can interact physically and digitally. To add surprise, the company will incorporate new brands and concepts with various entertainment spaces, collaborating with a renowned chef for the commercial offering in new gourmet bars at key airports.
The company concluded: “The proficiency required in bringing ‘hybrid’ concepts to life, prominent in Aena’s tender, underlines the power in Dufry’s recent combination with leading global food & beverage operator Autogrill. Reaping the benefits of both travel retail and F&B, the combined business is setting sail for its Destination 2027 strategy and to realise a ‘Travel Experience Revolution’, with a definitive new company name and visual identity expected to be announced later this year.” ✈
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