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Photographs are used to enhance some of the content while quirkier effects, such as cartoon people, help break up any monotony. Lively maps are a frequent and helpful feature |
Website of the week: Vienna Airport Shopping
Vienna International Airport, originally built as a military airport, is now one of the busiest commercial airports in Austria and is home to the Vienna Airport Shopping zone.
Style
The Vienna Airport shopping page is a striking combination of bright orange, deep-sea blue and black. Although the design is mildly outdated, the site maintains a smart and friendly image.
Photographs are used to enhance some of the content while quirkier effects, such as cartoon people, help break up any monotony. Lively maps are a frequent and helpful feature.
Content and usability
Just as the site is vibrant in its style, the homepage pulsates with its contents. A faux TV screen showing images of the shopping area blinks busily on the right hand side.
Meanwhile, the left hand side menu options declare: Search, Shopping map, Virtual tour, Information and Contact.
Search consists of a drop down menu of 19 product categories and an alphabetical list of all shops (landside and airside). Product categories range from the traditional Tobacco, Cosmetics and Spirits to the less conventional… Underwear and Erotic. If you’re searching for a specific product, clicking on one of the categories gives you access to a list of all shops at the airport which match this category. By choosing your preferred shop you may find out all contact details, opening hours, a map of all the outlets at the airport and a photograph of the shop.
On the other hand, if you choose to search for a particular shop, you will find the same details listed alphabetically in a user-friendly, methodical list. For such a diverse retail offer comprising a large number of stores, Vienna Airport Shopping does a thorough job of presenting the user with the necessary information.
Shopping map is a colourful, interactive plan of the airport. Selecting a particular region or terminal will zoom in on the area for closer inspection where you can find shop details.
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To celebrate the launch of our new Travel Retail Web-Wide Index, each week we put the spotlight on one of the growing array of dedicated travel retail websites or web sections. Click here or on the image to read the index. |
Virtual tour consists of a video of the airport shopping zone via a downloadable Quicktime player and includes a set of instructions on how to navigate the tour.
Information offers several options: Shopping – opportunities, New Name – same prices, VAT – refund and Get the Via Vienna Bonus.
Shopping – opportunities: Gives information on Travel Value shopping for travellers with destinations to EU and non-EU countries.
New Name – same prices: Includes further information on Travel Value Shopping.
VAT – refund: Offers step-by-step advice on how to get your VAT refund. Accompanied by cartoon characters and a map.
Get the Via Vienna Bonus: Gives details about the 10% discount on items at shops marked with the Via Vienna Bonus logo. It also includes a list of the benefits of flying from Vienna Airport.
Contact opens a new window comprising a query form.
Although there is no home icon, the Vienna Airport Shopping logo acts as one.
What we like about Vienna Airport Shopping:
Easy navigation
Thorough shop listings
Energetic feel
What we think needs improving/adding:
More interaction with users – such as competitions and promotions
More focus/coverage on Travel Value shops
Visit Vienna Airport Shopping.
COMING SOON: The Moodie Report Travel Retail Worldwide Web Awards.
Sponsored by P&G Prestige Products
Which websites offer the best service to consumers? Which are most user-friendly? Which are the most stylish? And which, crucially, offer the greatest incentive to shop?
Every year we will judge, through a combination of industry polling, consumer opinion and specialist judges, who is doing most to wow travellers on the web. International and regional awards.
The main award – Travel Retail Website of the Year – will be unveiled at this year’s ‘Oscars’ of the industry: the Frontier Awards in Cannes. More details coming soon.
MORE WEBSITES OF THE WEEK
Website of the week: Hellenic Duty Free Shops – 19/04/06
Website of the week: Zürich Airport – 12/04/06
