AUSTRALIA. Lagardère Services Asia Pacific and independent travel guide specialist Lonely Planet are joining forces to create the latter’s first ever “˜Lonely Planet’ concept store as part of Sydney Airport’s A$500 million International Terminal redevelopment.
The store will open in mid 2009 and is set to bring an innovative retail experience to the 10 million international travellers who will pass through the airport annually.
The shop will offer the full range of Lonely Planet travel guides, phrasebooks, pictorials and reference books, plus a range of high-quality travel accessories and gift items.
It will also feature new media systems such as online interactive portals showcasing Lonely Planet’s digital content.
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Lonely Planet is one of the most popular and respected brands in the travel world |
Staff will have specialist travel knowledge – “taking the store beyond a typical retail experience and providing an information hub for travellers”.
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“Our vision was to create a dynamic travel retail offer with an intrinsic link to the very act of travel itself.“ |
Scott Raisin CEO Lagardère Services Asia Pacific |
The partners noted: “The creation of this unique store is made possible by a strong “˜Trinity’ partnership between Lagardère Services, Sydney Airport Corporation Limited and Lonely Planet.”
The three organisations, along with design group Studio Red, aim to create a vibrant 90sq m interactive retail space within the international terminal.
Lagardère Services Asia Pacific CEO Scott Raisin said: “Our team has worked on this project intensively for over a year. Our vision was to create a dynamic travel retail offer with an intrinsic link to the very act of travel itself. For us there was only one brand that epitomised this.
“It has been an amazing experience to watch the concept evolve, shaped by the different expertise of airport operator, retailer and supplier. I think the end result will be something quite remarkable that we will be able to expand in Australia and beyond,” Raisin added.
Lonely Planet Sales and Marketing Director Howard Ralley said: “The opening of the first Lonely Planet store is an exciting evolution for our brand. It’s something we’ve discussed for some time.
“By working creatively with Lagardère Services and Sydney Airport we have been able to plan a really interesting travel hub for travellers, right before they head overseas.”
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“We are delighted that such an exciting concept will have its world debut at Sydney Airport“ |
Derek Larsen Retail General Manager Sydney Airport |
Sydney Airport Retail General Manager Derek Larsen said: “We are delighted to be part of the development of the Lonely Planet store, and that such an exciting concept will have its world debut at Sydney Airport.
“The concept fits beautifully with our vision for T1.”
ABOUT LONELY PLANET
Founded in 1973, Lonely Planet has grown to be one of the most successful travel brands in the world, with a reputation for comprehensive and reliable information. The company produces over 500 travel books, innovative digital guides, a website, wireless applications and television programmes.
Lonely Planet is the dominant travel guides publisher in Australia, averaging 60% market share. In the last 12 months, Lonely Planet’s Australian sales grew by +13% year-on-year.
ABOUT LAGARDÈRE SERVICES ASIA PACIFIC
Lagardère Services Asia Pacific is part of France’s Lagardère Services Group and a sister company of duty free retailer Aelia. Lagardère Services Asia Pacific operates over 100 retail stores in countries throughout the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
Lagardère Services operates over 4,000 shops in 20 countries, including more than 1,100 Relay news and book stores, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lagardère, the French global media and high-technology giant.
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