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The development is key to Gatwick’s competitiveness and reputation for world-class retail, says Head of Retail Spencer Sheen |
UK. Gatwick Airport has revealed details of the new retail line-up that will shortly take shape at the redeveloped International Departures Lounge at its South Terminal. The new stores – 22 in total – will open by the end of the year, with several due to open in July ahead of the peak summer season.
Among them are several brands new to travel retail or new to Gatwick, as well as some new concepts from established brands. Gatwick Head of Retail Spencer Sheen told The Moodie Report that the development marks an important milestone as the airport seeks to become more competitive, and to build its reputation for delivering world-class retail opportunities.
Shops opening in July include Sunglass Hut, employing a new concept based on its flagship store in Covent Garden: Dixons Travel Retail, trialling a concept based on its learnings from operating the technology floor at Harrods department store in Knightsbridge; and airport debuts from UK high street jeweller Ernest Jones and luxury leathergoods label Aspinal of London.
Kurt Geiger, Hugo Boss and Lacoste boutiques will also open in July, as well as a Case luggage shop, a new World of Whiskies outlet from World Duty Free Group and a Caviar House Seafood & Champagne Bar and fine food store.
In August, Harrods will introduce a 6,500sq ft signature store in South Terminal – anchoring the renewed Departures lounge commercial offer beyond the World Duty Free Group walkthrough store. Harrods will feature several shop-in-shop areas bringing many brands to Gatwick for the first time. Among them are Swarovski, DKNY, Longchamp, Missoni, Michael Kors, Paul Smith, Zegna Sport, Hackett and Armani Jeans.
In December a further 10-11 stores will open, seven or eight on the ground floor and three on the upper level. Among them will be outlets from Fat Face, Ted Baker and Mango. The airport is close to completing discussions on the outstanding spaces.
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Harrods will occupy the anchor department store in the redeveloped lounge in August |
Business as usual
Meanwhile Sheen reported that the airport has recently made several “˜business as usual’ improvements to its retail and food & beverage offer across both terminals, with other upgrades in the pipeline.
In the North Terminal, Fat Face has refurbished its outlet to its latest concept, which won the Retail Week award for UK store design this year. And a new Boots Express outlet has opened at the North end of the Departures lounge.
Ted Baker has also introduced a new store design featuring images of clocks and the motif “˜time flies’. And a brand new Ted Baker Accessories store – the sub-brand’s first inline unit at an airport – opens at the South Terminal today (7 June).
In June Lacoste will open a new store in a different site, almost doubling its footprint, and a new Superdry outlet will be introduced in July.
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The redeveloped International Departures Lounge will optimise natural light as well as providing a renewed commercial offer |
The J.D. Wetherspoon-operated Red Lion pub will also receive a major refurbishment and extension, to almost double its current size, in time for the peak summer season. The refurbishment will take advantage of works at Pier 5 to add around 1,000sq ft of space.
Sheen said the airport will also welcome a new, high-profile restaurant from October, with an announcement expected shortly.
The airport has also introduced a Coral betting shop to the landside meeting and greeting area The Avenue in the South Terminal. Sheen explained that the introduction was part of the airport’s efforts to attract passengers with new services, and that Gatwick had previously hosted a very successful landside betting shop for several years.
In the South Terminal, a refurbished JD Sports concession opened for business last week, and a new outlet from London News Company – the Gatwick-specific brand from WHSmith – has opened on Pier 2, to accommodate increased passenger footfall since the demolition of Pier 1. As reported, Pier 1 will be rebuilt as part of the airport’s ongoing £1.2 billion transformation.
Sheen added that the South Terminal additions to the International Departures Lounge this year will complete the current retail programme at Gatwick, although there remain some opportunities to develop the food & beverage offer on the upper level of the South Terminal.
