USA. Two bidders are contesting the open tender for a concession to run four duty free outlets at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
Broward Duty Free, a partnership between The Nuance Group and DFASS Group, is up against Airport Duty Free Broward, led by EJE Travel Retail, the long-time duty free retailer at Newark Liberty International Airport.
A spokesperson for tendering body Broward County Aviation Department told The Moodie Report that there had been only two bidders – no bid was received from LVMH/DFS-owned incumbent Starboard Cruise Services. That situation mirrors the recent duty free tender at Miami International Airport where Starboard opted not to defend its contract.
Fort Lauderdale is the second attempt by the Nuance/DFASS alliance to win a US airport contract – the partnership was one of four bidders for the Miami International Airport duty free concession, where Duty Free Americas tabled the highest-scoring technical and financial offer.
Presentations at Fort Lauderdale are set for mid-September with a recommendation expected the same day.
The five-year concession agreement covers two duty free shops in terminal four, measuring 877sq ft and 501sq ft, and two kiosks located in T1 (50sq ft) and T3 (188sq ft). Broward County Aviation Department requires a minimum annual guarantee of more than US$170,000 a year.
FLL is one of the fastest-growing airports in the USA. In terms of total passengers, in 2004, FLL ranked 23rd in the USA and 48th worldwide.
Total passengers in 2004 reached 20,819,292, of which 1,668,850 were international. International passenger numbers jumped +25.3% in 2004 compared with the previous year. US Airways is the biggest international carrier at the airport.
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