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PORTUGAL. The Nuance Group has unveiled its newest European retail experience, with the refurbishment of its Lisbon Airport operation just a week after the inauguration of the new retail offer in Antalya Terminal 2 (click here for just-published new video coverage of that event from The Moodie Report). [Note: We will also bring you extended video coverage of the Lisbon opening soon].
Operated in partnership with TAP Portugal through the Lojas Francas de Portugal (LFP) joint venture, the operation now offers over 2,500sq m of retail space at the leading Portuguese hub, including a new walk-through duty free store – claimed to be the first of its kind in Portugal.
The duty free store is complemented by four new luxury boutiques from Polo Ralph Lauren, Montblanc, Salvatore Ferragamo and Ermenegildo Zegna, as well as a revamped multi-brand premium fashion and accessories shop featuring Hugo Boss, Bulgari, luxury watches and other accessories. Retail planning for the main store was conducted by regular Nuance partner The Design Solution.
This development follows strong investment by ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal in a major transformation of the airside passenger facilities at Lisbon, increasingly recognised as a major gateway for South American travellers.
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ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal Chairman António Guilhermino Rodrigues addresses guests at the inauguration |
ANA Retail Director Luis Rodolfo told The Moodie Report: “We are very proud because we want to be a reference for Lisbon Airport. Here, we have just finished the third phase of our big expansion plan. In 2008 we opened the new food court area; then in 2009 we opened the new North Pier with ten new gates; and now we are opening the third phase featuring luxury brands like H Stern, Montblanc and Ferragamo, as well as the new duty free store.
“Next year we will finish the expansion plan with a huge central plaza, more than 3,000sq m, where we will have a huge seating area, retail-tainment space, and also brands such as Snack, a 400sq metre Portuguese shop and so on.”
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ANA, Nuance and LFP senior management officially open the new Lisbon walk-through store on Thursday night |
Earlier he said in a statement: “We are delighted with the outcome of the investment and effort that LFP and The Nuance Group have put into this project. The new outlets have raised the bar and will allow to better serve the needs of its demanding passengers especially those travelling to South America and Africa.”
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The Nuance Group Europe CEO Andrea Belardini talks of the impact of the revamped retail facilities |
The Nuance Group CEO Europe Andrea Belardini added: “These further new openings witness another achievement of Nuance’s commitment to deliver a consumer-centric airport retail experience, reaffirming one of our key values: leading through partnership and innovation.
“We have worked hand in hand with ANA airport management and with our supplier partners to realise this important upgrade of the Lisbon Airport shopping experience. I wish to express my gratitude to them and also to our joint venture partner TAP, for their exceptional cooperation.”
Operated under the Duty Free Store Just for Travellers brand, the new walk-through store incorporates Nuance’s signature Duty Free Store and ’boutique’ concepts for whisky, fragrances and cigars.
A distinct Sense of Place is also reinforced throughout, with more than 200sq m of floor space dedicated to a ‘Taste of Portugal’ area, including a delicatessen section, as well as a significant wine and port wine offer for which Portugal is famed. Customers can also enjoy permanent tasting opportunities for port, table wine and local deli items.
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LFP Managing Director Nuno Amaral hails the opening as a breakthrough |
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Portugal is one of the world’s great wine-producing countries, something well reflected in this store |
“It is very important that our approach to retail combines our global expertise with local knowledge, and in Lisbon we believe we have successfully achieved this,” said Belardini.
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‘Newness’ is a key component to the retailer’s approach throughout Europe, again reflected in Lisbon |
The architectural solution has played a critical role in creating a fitting environment to bring the local brands and products to life, with a design to reflect the style and culture of Lisbon.
“It’s clear from our research that consumers not only demand a strong and exciting range of international brands, but also want to see and sample quality products that reflect a particular destination. Here at Lisbon we have a wealth of regional products to choose from which we have carefully selected and sited in an attractive area that is distinctly Portuguese,” explained LFP Managing Director Nuno Amaral.
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Perfumes & cosmetics, a pivotal category for LFP, enjoys generous space at the revamped walk-through store |
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This is further enhanced by carefully targeted events and experiences, and in Lisbon Nuance is making the most of the generous floor space with a year-round programme of store activity, from the latest fragrance launches and special offers to seasonal events. The ‘Make your Summer colourful’ promotion will run throughout the Summer, selling a host of items, supported by complimentary tastings.
In keeping with Nuance’s signature Duty Free Store concept, unveiled at Antalya and Zürich airports last year, Lisbon’s new duty free store deploys the latest touch-screen technology to provide customers with product information across all core categories.
At the touch of a screen, shoppers are able to learn more about the history of whisky or discover the latest offers and items. Similarly, within the ‘Fragrance Boutique’, the use of the olfactory wheel which displays fragrance according to specific scent is supported by touch-screen tablets (pictured below), enabling customers to find product details or gift ideas. In Lisbon this approach has also been extended to local wines.
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Interactive technology has become a Nuance hallmark in Europe and once again it is to the fore at the main LFP store |
The store features an extensive perfumes & cosmetics offer spanning some 550sq m. A wide array of international and local brands caters to the diverse customer profile, which includes a high proportion of Portuguese, European and South American travellers.
Brand boutiques have been developed to showcase some of the leading brands, including Chanel, Dior, Lancôme and Giorgio Armani. New brands being introduced into Lisbon include Kiehl’s, Sisley, Body Shop and MAC, which make their debut in Portuguese duty free.
“Our stores are the natural home for many of the world’s most powerful and iconic brands. Through the creation of ground-breaking and innovative concepts, we are able to showcase the leading brands to their full potential and give our customers the best possible experience,” said The Nuance Group Commercial Director Europe Alex Anson.
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Nuance continues to develop its specialty offering (see pictures below), a key component of the European business mix. In Lisbon it has launched four new mono-brand stores, for Salvatore Ferragamo (80sq m), Ermenegildo Zegna (75sq m), Montblanc (41sq m) and Polo Ralph Lauren (125sq m).
The company has also revamped its multi-brand fashion and accessories store to showcase a range of sunglasses, fashion accessories, luxury watches and small leathergoods from premium brands such as Bvlgari, Omega, TAG, Breitling, Longines, Longchamp and Hugo Boss within its 150sq m of retail space.
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LFP has also responded to the growing trend for a more convenient shopping experience, and offers a ‘pick-up on return’ service at Lisbon. Travellers are able to select products either upon departure or pre-order online, ready for pick up on their return at the Arrivals Store in Terminal 1.
HEAVY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
Through its local joint-venture LFP, Nuance has enjoyed a lengthy presence in Portugal having begun operations in 1995. The company has since extended its presence to all seven international Portuguese airports and now operates 30 shops across more than 6,000sq m of retail space in the country.
This latest announcement reflects Nuance’s commitment to developing and reinvigorating its core and specialty business across the region, which includes more than 200 stores in 36 countries across Europe. Since 2011 the company has invested CHF20 million (US$21 million) in its European operations, refurbishing or developing over more than 14,000sq m of retail space across the portfolio.
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In addition to the new offer at Lisbon, the retailer has recently unveiled two walk-through duty free stores at Zürich Airport covering some 2,000sq m of retail space. Last week, The Nuance Group completed its refurbishment of Antalya’s T2 core and specialty offer, while last month it dedicated an additional 600sq m to perfumes & cosmetics at Zürich (walk-through level one), completing the core categories development at the Swiss hub.
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Nuance’s ’boutique’ concept comes to its flagship Portuguese location |
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