ROMANIA. Lagardère Travel Retail is opening its first airport stores in Romania after winning a duty paid tender last year organised by Bucharest National Airport Company (CNAB). The contract runs for ten years.
The openings, which begin from 1 March, span 2,000sq m of space at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. The company will introduce the Aelia brand to Romania in the months ahead as it expands its existing presence in the market (see below).
The Aelia concept spans around 150 stores worldwide, with “an immersive, locally adapted shopping experience, personalised to passengers’ profiles, needs and preferences”, noted the travel retailer. It incorporates digital solutions and omnichannel services such as Click & Collect and Shop & Collect.
The retail mix at the airport will also feature travel essentials brand Relay and the Discover destination retail concept.
Additionally, a new concept created especially for Bucharest Airport will be revealed at the inauguration as “a surprise for the Romanian market”.
Lagardère Travel Retail Romania CEO Marius Văcălău said: “We are honoured to have been selected to partner with CNAB. We will foster an ecosystem of Romanian entrepreneurs and brands, alongside the most desirable international brands to promote local culture and create a true Sense of Place in our stores. Our presence at Bucharest Airport will also support the efforts of Romanian institutions to upgrade services for travellers in light of Romania’s entry into the Schengen region.”
Lagardère Travel Retail has been present in Romania since 1996, with stores in urban transit areas (airports, railway stations, hospitals, shopping malls and business centres). It operates a network of 300 stores across news & convenience, travel essentials, gifts & souvenirs and foodservice under six main brands: Inmedio, Relay, 1Minute, HUB Convenience, So Coffee and Pizza La Mia Stazione. ✈
*Lagardère Travel Retail has been named as a Platinum Partner for the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, to be held this year in Ontario, California (25-26 June). Click here for more.
*Note: The Moodie Davitt Report is the industry’s most popular channel for launching commercial proposals and for publishing the results. If you wish to promote an Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals or full tender process for any sector of airport or other travel-related infrastructure revenues, simply email Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com.
We have a variety of options that will ensure you reach the widest, most high-quality concessionaire/retailer/operator base in the industry – globally and immediately.
The Moodie Davitt Report is the only international business media to cover all airport or other travel-related consumer services, revenue-generating and otherwise. Our reporting includes duty free and other retail, food & beverage, property, passenger lounges, art and culture, hotels, car parking, medical facilities, the Internet, advertising and related revenue streams.
Please send relevant material, including images, to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com for instant, quality global coverage.
