‘World class precinct’: JR/Duty Free’s new-look stores at Brisbane Airport opened today (pictured is the 1,600sq m Departures outlet) |
AUSTRALIA. James Richardson Pty Ltd, trading as JR/Duty Free, has opened its newly redeveloped walk-through stores at Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal.
The stores occupy 1,600sq m in the Departures Zone and 800sq m in Arrivals, offering what the airport termed “an improved and premium duty free shopping experience”. The retailer recently signed a seven-year contract to operate the duty free concession at Brisbane.
In December, a 143sq m JR/Watch Co. boutique store offering luxury watches will also open.
Milestone moment: (L-r) JR/Duty Free Chairman Garry Stock, Brisbane Airport General Manager Airline and Retail Management Andrew Brodie, Brisbane Airport Head of Terminal Retail & Commercial Toby Innes, JR/Duty Free Group Chair Evelyn Danos and JR/Duty Free CEO Milton Lasnitzki celebrate the opening |
The airport company said: “Since the selection of JR/Duty Free by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), both partners have worked closely to bring about their combined vision of a world-class duty free shopping precinct.”
BAC General Manager Airline and Retail Management Andrew Brodie said: “We’re excited to have JR/Duty Free on board as we move towards creating a truly premium offering and memorable, world class and uniquely Brisbane, Queensland experience for travellers at Brisbane Airport.
“JR/Duty Free has an incredibly strong track record of delivering high quality duty free concessions at airports around the globe, and it only seems fitting that this premium shopping experience contributes to our premium redevelopment of the International Terminal.”
JR/Duty Free CEO Milton Lasnitzki said: “We are very excited to be the duty free operator at Brisbane Airport from 1 September. For us this is déjà vu since it was at Brisbane Airport in 1972, under the leadership of our founder, the late Mr David Mandie AM, OBE, (universally recognised as the pioneer of duty free in Australia), that the James Richardson Group duty free business commenced. He would have been thrilled to see that we are once again back to where it all began 42 years ago.”
Arrivals duty free is a key channel of the business at Brisbane |
The changeover from previous concessionaire Nuance took place overnight, with the first customers of the day being offered complimentary Champagne in celebration of the opening.
The new duty free stores are the cornerstone of the A$45 million International Terminal redevelopment, which is on track for completion by July 2015.
The JR/Duty Free team prepares to welcome the first shoppers on Monday |
