Nice Côte d’Azur unveils sweeping makeover of entire retail offering

FRANCE. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport – the country’s second-largest gateway – has selected the four operators and brands to manage the 28 retail outlets at the heart of its three commercial and business aviation terminals.

The selection follows an open tender launched in September 2023.

The new outlets will open gradually between 2025 and 2026.

The final choice illustrates the strategy of offering millions of passengers a unique experience, a blend of tranquility, wellbeing, local expertise and “luxury à la française”, the airport company said.

By renewing the entire retail offering, the airport operator said it aims to boost its vision of a retail experience that celebrates the uniqueness of the Côte d’Azur, the richness, diversity and lifestyle of the French Riviera, which stretches from Saint Tropez to Monaco and Italy. That experience will convey the message of a timeless dream to the world, the company added.

Spread over almost 4,500sq m, the 28 retail spaces put out to tender represent over 80% of all sales made in the airport’s Terminal 1, 2 and General Aviation outlets.

“Nice Côte d’Azur is the link between the Riviera and the rest of the world,” said Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur Director of the Commercial Business Unit Candice Cadreils.

“It’s a showcase for brands that express the richness of a local heritage with international influence, but also for the standard-bearers of French knowhow.

“We have designed a retail selection that blends authenticity and luxury, the unexpected and the desired, and is both exclusive and family-focused.

“It takes account of the increasing diversity of our passengers, all of whom want to take with them some of the magic of the Côte d’Azur while enjoying a unique airport experience.”

Lagardère Travel Retail has been entrusted with managing the duty-free zone, including the two main outlets, whose sales areas have been increased.

Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur said Lagardère Travel Retail will feature a bold offering enabling passengers to pass through brands and concepts specific to the airport, revealing the many identities of the Côte d’Azur.

This retail footprint will include areas dedicated to local products and other French specialities. Lagardère Travel Retail will also run eight other sales units:

• Renowned luxury brands with, for the first time in a French airport outside Paris, two retail units for Chanel and Dior. The luxury duo will offer a range of products linked to beauty and wellbeing, a fast-growing segment;
• A high-end Longchamp boutique;
• Another focusing on exceptional French perfumes, named L’Artisan Parfumeur;
• An innovative concept highlighting the Côte d’Azur’s gastronomic expertise with Bottega della Riviera;
• Two multi-brand areas in terminals 1 and 2, with a range of clothing and fashion accessories;
• In an airport first, a sales area devoted to children of all ages, with Looping. The concept brings together two of the biggest brands on the children’s market, Disney and Pokémon, as well as the Marvel licence.

Avolta is responsible for seven retail units:

• Two Fragonard boutiques, located in the two commercial aviation terminals, showcasing the expertise of the Côte d’Azur and its internationally renowned cultural heritage;
• Two luxury Hermès and Zegna boutiques, opening in response to strong demand for luxury products from France and Italy, with a range of textiles and leathergoods;
• A store featuring renowned French brands Lacoste and Longchamp;
• A luxury multi-brand unit, including a second-hand range, a new feature requested by the airport as part of its CSR policy;
• A Suncatcher boutique, a concept created by Avolta that brings together several major sunglasses brands.

Alongside these two major retailers, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur has also selected two brands to operate directly.

The Kooples is keeping its clothing, footwear and accessories space in T2. Millenium is making its debut at the airport, with three Obsentum shops in each of the commercial and business aviation terminals, offering exclusive niche (mainly French) fragrances in a luxury atmosphere.

Lagardère Travel Retail France Managing Director of Duty Free France Regions & Luxembourg Benoît Cartier-Bresson said: “We are extremely proud to be extending our 25-year partnership with Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which aims to offer a shopping experience that is unrivalled in Europe. Thanks to the remarkable work of our passionate teams and all our partners, we will be offering a new and innovative range of retail units, built exclusively for Nice Côté d’Azur Airport.

“With 14 boutiques, spread over more than 3,500sq m, we have designed spaces where iconic, internationally renowned brands and famed French fashion houses, as well as authentic, local brands, will work together.

“Each space will embody the spirit of the Côte d’Azur, whether through locally inspired architecture or a rich selection of products from the region, while integrating a demanding responsible attitude, fundamental to our approach to travel retail.

“These commitments will translate into a singular, surprising experience, facilitated by new services, which will aim to create the perfect alchemy for travellers at Nice Airport.”

Avolta CEO for Northern, Central and Eastern Europe Walter Seib said: “We are honoured to be awarded this retail contract by Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur and to continue our presence in Nice over the coming years.

“We are fully committed to making Nice Côte d’Azur Airport a benchmark for travel retail and to working with the airport to reflect the dynamism of the region it serves.

“I would like to thank all the Avolta team members involved and our brand partners for their trust and dedication in developing an innovative proposition that will provide a memorable experience for passengers.”

The Kooples Trade Marketing Manager Elisa Chansac said: “Nice Airport, with its international clientele, exclusive shopping experience and dynamism is the ideal setting to represent The Kooples brand.

“This location enables us to reach a wider target audience, in line with our growth strategy and our desire to consolidate our position as a key fashion brand in France and abroad.

“The Kooples’ new collection is showcased at Nice Airport. For this collection, the first under the direction of Pierre Kaczmarek, the underground cultures of Paris and London merge. Leather, denim, shirts and rock accessories; all the brand’s iconic pieces are celebrated here, with a touch of fashion and youth typical of the new artistic direction.”

BestValue Chief Executive Officer, Property Division Radu Tanasescu said in relation to Obsentum: “Our presence at Nice Airport demonstrates Obsentum’s commitment to excellence in luxury niche fragrance retailing.

“The renaissance of niche perfumery, driven by its innovative, creative, elitist, quirky and sensual nature, fits perfectly with our vision of moving from being a retailer to a cultural influencer.

“It has also driven us to design our shops and create an ambience that will take travellers on a curated journey through rare and exquisite fragrances and compositions.” ✈