AUSTRALIA. Cairns Airport has named JR/Duty Free, part of the James Richardson Group, as its preferred bidder for its duty free contract.
The move comes as work proceeds on the airport’s A$15 million upgrade of its International Terminal.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brown said: “This is exciting news for our international passengers as we extend Cairns Airport’s duty free offer in our international terminal.”
The current project includes the creation of a walk-through duty free store for the International Departure Lounge. A first for Cairns Airport, it will be completed in December this year.
“We received a very competitive response from duty free companies to our call for tenders to operate the new store, which went out to the industry in August this year. We had the difficult task of choosing between submissions presented by extremely professional operators keen to be a part of Cairns Airport.
“At the end of the day, JR/Duty Free provided a very compelling offer supported by a high level of experience and professionalism. We look forward to working with them on the new fit-out of their walk-through Departure Lounge store which will complement the overall retail refurbishment.”
As the upgrade of the international terminal continues, other new stores opening soon include Relay news & books, an Australian Made speciality store and a Jewellery Lounge, while a call for Expressions of Interest is soon to be issued for new food & beverage concessions.
Milton Lasnitzki, Director and CEO of James Richardson Group said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to operate the duty free concession at Cairns Airport and support their plans for substantial passenger growth.
“We look forward to offering passengers arriving and departing at Cairns, the same JR service and innovation that we are currently providing at New Zealand airports and at Darwin Airport.
“Our strong, Chinese passenger-based off-airport business in Melbourne gives us confidence that we will be able to successfully service this important segment of Cairns Airport’s passenger growth plans.”
Evelyn Danos, Chair and Executive Director of James Richardson added: “JR/Duty Free is the only Australian-owned duty free operator and it is important to add another Australian airport to our portfolio.”
The lease is for an initial term of five years with an option for a further two. The right to an additional two years is subject to the tenant’s obligation to refit the premises.
As reported yesterday, incumbent The Nuance Group announced that it was not defending the business, and will hand over to JR/Duty Free in March 2012.
