GERMANY. Frankfurt Airport has opened the first stores in its ambitious new retail complex in Terminal 2.
Parent company Fraport’s Retail Management team described the opening as “a milestone” in the strategy of enlarging T2’s range of retail outlets.
Located in the central international Departures area, immediately after passport control, the new shopping area will serve some three million departing passengers every year.
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Proven and perennial travel retail favourites Swarovski and Bvlgari add allure to the mix | |
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Brand power: Names such as Versace, Burberry, Montblanc and Armani drive the Uptown offer | |
The passenger profile is very diverse as the area is used by airlines in the Skyteam and Oneworld alliances plus a range of international carriers including Emirates, China Eastern and Japan Airlines.
Most passengers are travelling to the US, the UK, the UAE, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, South Korea and Japan – a healthy mix from a travel retail perspective.
Fraport said that passengers spend an average of two and a half hours in the area, “a very long time in comparison with other departure lounges”.
It noted: “The aim of the complex was therefore not only to cater for the needs of many different nationalities but also to take account of their long stay and improve the quality of the time spent.”
The result was a marketplace featuring a large central duty free shop, plus a wider offer including watches and jewellery, fashion and accessories, electronics, books and newspapers, souvenirs, wellness products and massages, a bureau de change and a range of catering outlets aimed at a wide variety of target groups.
Here are some of the highlights:
Duty Free Heinemann
The new duty free shop, the focal point of the marketplace, is situated directly behind the passport control desks. It has been extended from its original size of 880sq m to 1,650sq m, thanks to a terminal extension to the outside of the building.
The opening of the final section of the shop (which will create the airport’s largest duty free shop when the extension is completed), is scheduled for late December. There are currently 23 duty free and Travel Value shops at Frankfurt Airport.
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Operated by Gebr Heinemann, the Uptown concept features a strong mix of luxury and designer accessories | |
Uptown I and II
Uptown I and II are two new accessories outlets, run by Gebr Heinemann. The concept has already been implemented successfully in Terminal 1.
The two outlets in T2 are 160sq m and 100sq m, featuring a mix ranging from luxury lifestyle brands to high-end luxury accessories and classic designer products.
Uptown I offers customers high-quality leather accessories including bags, belts, small leather products and silk accessories from brands such as Aigner, Burberry, Ferragamo, Versace and Etro. The shops also sell watches, jewellery and leather accessories by Bvlgari and cell phones from the successful Vertu brand.
Uptown II presents the brands Hugo Boss – Germany’s strongest brand in the international lifestyle field – Armani, Mont Blanc and Swarovski. The accessories offered include watches, jewellery and spectacles, as well as leather accessories and writing utensils.
Tie Rack
The popular tie and shirt chain offers a variety of accessories for a wide range of passenger groups. Operated by Tie Rack Germany, it will open in the next few weeks.
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Pictured (clockwise from top left:) Capi’s cutting-edge technology offer; fine watches & jewellery from Christ International; Relay’s traditionally strong and accessibly presented news and books offer | |
Christ International
Already established in T1, the Christ International range covers luxury watches and jewellery such as Rolex, Cartier and Chopard, as well as other price brackets from brands including Armani and Fossil.
Fraport noted: “A very varied range of brands and products and top-quality service and advice are the hallmarks of this successful concept.” It is operated by Christ International.
Relay Buch & Presse
Lagardère-owned Relay has opened a further 102sq m branch featuring a new design that sells a wide range of books and press.
Capi
Run by Capi-Lux, Netherlands , this 50sq m store offers a wide range of the latest entertainment electronics.
BeRelax
Opened in March 2008, this wellbeing concept was one of the first outlets in the new development. It is operated by BeRelax, Paris
ICE Bureau de Change
A bureau de change, particularly important for this area, rounds off the range of services offered. It is operated by ICE Currency Exchange.
A DIVERSE DIET OF FOOD & BEVERAGE
Fraport said that to ensure that the range of catering outlets in the marketplace was tailored exactly to the needs and wishes of the diverse international passenger base, a survey of passenger preferences for alternative concepts was conducted. As a result of this feedback the winners were implemented, including a burger outlet, Asian specialties, espresso concepts and snacks/food to go.
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Fraport has relied on customer feedback to structure its diverse food & beverage offer | |
A total of five different types of catering outlet flank the marketplace in both directions. In the western sector, leading to the D Gates, there is a Burger King, the first at Frankfurt Airport, and next door is the “˜Sense of
Taste’, a fine dining restaurant. Both opened in the first half of October.
Work is still in progress on the catering areas in the eastern part of the marketplace leading to the E Gates. Starbucks will open there in December, to be followed the following month by Mosch-Mosch, an Asian restaurant. The heart of the marketplace will also feature the Long Island Air Lounge which opens in November.
The 180sq m Burger King will be operated by Steigenberger Gastronomie. The same company will run Sense of Taste, a service restaurant with 78 seats on an area of around 200sq m. Most of this area is taken up by a service dining area with beige leather chairs and modern wooden tables at which fine foods are offered, including La Morocha Argentinean fillet steak, Scottish salmon and even “the biggest Wiener Schnitzel at Frankfort Airport”.
In front of this there is a small lounge area with exclusive buffalo leather armchairs and a bar serving IIly espresso specialities, fine wines, draught lager, Frankfurt cider, spirits and soft drinks. A take-away counter sells fresh sandwiches and panini, fruit salads, smoothies and other refreshments.
Its interior design with a wooden floor, straight lines and warm shades of beige and brown creates what Fraport described as “a classically simple but exclusive atmosphere”.
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