Market entry: WH Smith will take over former Lufthansa Worldshop, Virgin and Relay units; Photo credit: Düsseldorf Airport |
GERMANY. WH Smith will enter the market in Germany for the first time having won a contract to operate five news and books retail spaces at Düsseldorf Airport.
The first opening is planned for October 2016 in the former Lufthansa Worldshop, in check-in area A. The remaining four spaces, which were previously operated by LS Travel Retail under the brands Virgin and Relay, will follow in 2017.
“Book and news items mean a lot to our passenger and visitors, and we want to support that with a large product selection and suitable store concept,” said Düsseldorf Airport Head of Retail Activities Ilse Ruffer. “With WH Smith we managed to bring one of the most successful international retailers to Germany, and the company developed a specific shop design exclusively for Düsseldorf.”
WH Smith International Director Louis de Bourgoing said the contract win was “key” to the company’s development strategy in Europe.
“We worked very closely with the team in Dusseldorf to agree the design principles of our stores and the product offer for airport visitors and passengers,” he said.
“The product mix will deliver a broad range of German and International newspapers, magazines and books as well as express categories such as confectionery, drinks and food and emerging product ranges such as digital accessories.”
