AUSTRALIA. LagardèreAWPL has unveiled the first Relay travel essentials store at Sunshine Coast Airport as part of a A$170 million (US$122 million) terminal redevelopment.
The project in partnership with LagardèreAWPL represents the largest investment in food & beverage, travel essentials and speciality retail in the Queensland airport’s history, as reported earlier this year.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said, “Relay is the first new venue to open as part of a major transformation of the airport experience and provides a glimpse of what’s still to come.
“It’s exciting to see the new Relay travel essentials store now open, offering passengers a wide range of products for their journey while also showcasing locally sourced Sunshine Coast products.
“This store, and those still to come, will give travellers an authentic taste of the Sunshine Coast from the moment they arrive, while creating valuable opportunities for local businesses and producers.”
He added: “This is just the beginning of a broader retail vision that will see future stages of the terminal redevelopment deliver a dedicated Discover Sunshine Coast experience, celebrating the products and businesses that make our region such a sought-after destination. We want the Sunshine Coast story to begin the moment passengers walk through our terminal.”
LagardèreAWPL CEO Costa Kouros said opening the new store is a key step in the airport’s transformation.
“Welcoming travellers into the very first Relay store at Sunshine Coast Airport is a fantastic milestone for our team. This marks the first of eight new retail and dining concepts we will deliver in partnership with the airport.
“We’ve designed this modern space around what travellers need on the move, combining everyday travel essentials, fresh food and coffee, health and beauty and a carefully curated collection of local, national and global offerings.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said, “Providing travellers with access to locally made products from the moment they arrive, or before they depart, helps showcase the unique character of the Sunshine Coast and supports local businesses to reach new markets.
“This investment aligns with the goals of our Regional Economic Development Strategy, which seeks to build a stronger, more resilient economy by leveraging our region’s local enterprise, creating jobs and enhancing our reputation as one of Australia’s most desirable places to visit, live and do business.”
Local producer Maleny Chocolates is among those represented in the store. Managing Director Troy Wainwright said: “We’re extremely happy with our partnership with LagardèreAWPL. Through Lagardère, Maleny Chocolate has been able to reach thousands of travellers passing through Sunshine Coast Airport, many of whom may be discovering our products for the first time.
“Whether they’re looking for a taste of the region to take home as a gift or simply something special to enjoy on their journey, being part of the airport retail experience introduces our brand to a much broader audience and allows travellers to take a little piece of the Sunshine Coast with them.”
Nutworks International Sales Manager Sarah Leonard said the opportunity to showcase products at the airport was a “gamechanger” for the brand owner.
She commented, “Nutworks has always been about the journey from our growers’ orchards – real, honest produce grown and made with care right here on the Sunshine Coast, the Heart of Macadamia Country.
“Our partnership with LagardèreAWPL at the airport gives that journey a much bigger reach. Suddenly we’re not just connecting with our local community and visitors who seek us out, we are reaching travellers from every corner of Australia and the world, many of whom are tasting Nutworks for the very first time.”
Future venues to open in the redevelopment include an all-day dining outlet, a coffee house, a burger and beer outlet, and for the first time, a dedicated self-serve dessert bar.
The remaining restaurants and retail outlets will open as part of the terminal expansion on a phased basis by late 2027. ✈
