Zürich Airport extends travel retail contracts with Nuance

25 Mar '10

4 min read

The Nuance Group's concession at its Zurich Airport home base has been extended until 2018. The extension covers the tax and duty free concession as well as a total of 32 specialty stores. By the end of 2011, over 3,000 square metres of shop floor will be added to the Nuance offer through the expansion of the existing duty free stores and the addition of two arrival concepts, while a number of specialty stores will receive a facelift.

Ever since Nuance's ex-parent Swissair opened the first store at Zurich Airport in 1961, Zurich Airport has been The Nuance Group's home base and one of the most important operations within the Nuance network both for its size and the quality of the offer. Today, Nuance operates a total of 44 stores across the airport: 6 main Tax Free Stores; 6 gate shops; and 32 specialist and branded boutiques offering fashion, accessories, jewellery, sunglasses and the like, both airside and landside. Nuance also makes active use of the airport's diverse promotional areas working in true trinity style with the Airport and suppliers to host industry leading events, such as the current Chocolate Fest promotion.

The airport is currently undergoing a major construction phase which includes a centralised security control building and a new Dock B. In line with these changes, The Nuance Group, together with Zurich Airport AG, will re-design and enlarge its existing Tax Free Stores, converting them into walk-through concepts. At the same time, two Arrival Duty Free Stores will be added to the portfolio and opened as soon as the necessary changes in legislation allow it (foreseen for the beginning of 2011). These stores will each measure some 800 to 1,000 square metres.

Andrea Belardini, CEO, The Nuance Group Europe, said: “We are delighted to have been granted this contract extension. It proves that our endeavours to work closely and constructively with our airport partners in order to jointly drive and develop the retail offer are paying off. We have now entered into a new challenging phase of major redevelopment as the Airport is busy redesigning the terminal to allow for centralised security. Our teams are already working together to plan two state-of-the-art new walkthrough stores and very soon we'll be busy planning for the new Arrival Duty Free concepts. I am extremely confident that our joint experience will enable us to make a difference in creating a truly outstanding retail environment.”

Roberto Graziani, President & CEO of The Nuance Group added: “The Nuance Group views Zurich Airport as our home base. We have always experienced a true partnership with Zurich Airport AG and we are grateful for their trust and confidence in granting us this long term renewal that is, indeed, in line with our strategy to extend the average life of our concession portfolio. Over the past 12 months, we have renewed more than 50 per cent of our portfolio, extending our weighted average length of concession to 5.4 years. This provides an excellent and secure base for us to pursue growth in the near future”.

More Nuance Group News... More Fashion News - Switzerland...