Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Strange Nature gin from New Zealand, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
SWEDEN. Our chosen image today comes from Stockholm Arlanda Airport T5, courtesy of InMotion, the leading technology retailer owned by WHSmith.
The official store opening today forms part of the ambitious Marketplace project under the guidance of airport company Swedavia. As reported, Swedavia has pledged to deliver a host of new passenger experiences in the Marketplace amid its biggest ever commercial investment.
The latest 1,500sq ft unit is Europe’s largest InMotion and is the tenth to open in continental Europe. It also marks the fourth store to open in Sweden this year.
The InMotion store marries digital screens and live product demonstrations to bring the latest technology and digital accessories to life for customers. Leading international brands include Apple, Samsung, Sony, Bose, Nikon, GoPro and Fitbit, alongside an extensive offer of own-brand InMotion products.
WHSmith International Managing Director Gavin Wood said: “We continue to grow our presence across Europe and it’s been a pleasure to work with Swedavia to deliver our fourth and largest InMotion store in their airport estate in Stockholm Arlanda Airport’s new Market Place.
“Technology is now an essential part of travellers’ journeys and we’re here to make it easier for people to pick up what they need, when they need it, with the latest tech and products available to experience and trial in store.
“We’ve had great feedback about our InMotion offer from passengers travelling through the airport and we’re looking forward to welcoming more new customers to this latest flagship store.”
Swedavia Director Marketing and Commercial Development Charlotte Ljunggren said: “Our vision with the new Market Place is to make shopping, food and drink part of the experience for travellers at the airport. InMotion is a great addition to the retail space, with an impressive store for customers to shop the latest technology and pick up essential digital accessories for their travels.
“The investment in the Market Place is the biggest ever for the commercial offer at Arlanda and, together with the new modern security control that recently opened, we look forward to significantly improving the traveller experience at the airport.”
{Click on the YouTube icon to view edited highlights of an interview with Swedavia Director Retail, Food & Beverage, and Aviation Pricing Marie Ullmark about the Market Place project from June 2023}
The Market Place provides a variety of food & beverage, shopping and services across 11,000sq m of floorspace next to the new state-of-the-art security checkpoint.
The Market Place is slated to be completed by late 2024–early 2025. In late 2023–early 2024, the next big phase of the project awaits, when The Veranda, with 4,000sq m of F&B space, will open. The area also houses 2,500sq m of Stockholm Duty Free (Avolta/Dufry) space.
We will bring you more on the Market Place openings in coming weeks and months. ✈
