HONG KONG. Next weekend marks the end of an era at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) as new liquor & tobacco concessionaire DFS Group takes over from long-time incumbent Sky Connection (trading as Free Duty) on Saturday night.
Sky Connection has run the contract since Hong Kong International Airport opened in 1998. Earlier this year however it lost out in an open tender to DFS Group, which won all three contracts on offer, including perfumes & cosmetics and airside general merchandise from Nuance-Watson (Hong Kong).
DFS Group Chief Operating Officer Michael Schriver told The Moodie Report that all was set for next weekend’s big handover. He paid rich tribute to Sky Connection and in particular CEO Baker Salleh for the rich spirit of co-operation and professionalism that had marked the handover.
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The end of a successful era at Hong Kong International Airport for Sky Connection’s hugely respected CEO Baker Salleh, to whom DFS paid rich tribute |
Sky Connection has been responsible for some of the most innovative liquor and tobacco retailing in Asian airports in recent years. The company remains a major player in Hong Kong, particularly having retained its concession to operate duty free retail at Lo Wu and Hung Hom railway stations in Hong Kong earlier this year. The stations serve over 100 million travellers between Hong Kong and mainland China every year.
Sky Connection is also a likely bidder for other regional airport contracts in Asia, notably the Singapore Changi liquor & tobacco concession (held by DFS), which is due go to tender next year.
DFS will begin a major refurbishment of all its new HKIA contracts after it takes over them progressively in coming weeks.
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In recent years Sky Connection has been responsible for some of the most innovative airport retailing in Asia, working closely with brands such as Chivas Regal on many high-profile promotions and store developments |
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The familiar Sky Connection uniforms become a thing of the past from this weekend at Hong Kong International Airport as DFS takes over |
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