This summer season, Gebr. Heinemann has stepped up and streamlined its retail presence at Budapest Airport by completing a series of brand shop facelifts. Last year, Heinemann increased its sales above the record passenger growth of Budapest Airport and it is expected that the new shops, with major international fashion and accessories brands, will add to this rise in sales.
Raoul Spanger, Executive Director Retail, Gebr. Heinemann, and Jost Lammers, CEO Budapest Airport, celebrate the opening of the new multi-brand accessories store, as well as a range of luxury brand shops, such as Hugo Boss, Longchamp, and Mont Blanc, and designer lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger.
Heinemann Duty Free, as well as the brand shops, are operated by Hungarian Duty Free, a 100% affiliate of Gebr. Heinemann, the largest retail partner of Budapest Airport. Gebr. Heinemann operates over 300 Heinemann Duty Free & Travel Retail Value Shops, as well as fashion label boutiques under license and concept shops at 78 airports in 28 countries.
Overall retail sales turnover at Budapest Airport last year surpassed €110 million (€53 million of which was Heinemann’s share), which marks a significant 20% growth, exceeding the 12.5% passenger growth figure.
Participating in this growth, Heinemann now operates 2,217sqm of retail space in Budapest’s SkyCourt terminal, with a mixture of a classic walk-through Heinemann Duty Free & Travel Value Shop, two Heinemann Duty Free & Travel Value shops at the boarding gates in Terminal 2A and 2B, three special retail fashion stores in SkyCourt, a Victoria’s Secret Shop in Terminal 2A, and also a multi-brand accessories store.
Following the fifth anniversary of the opening of SkyCourt, Gebr. Heinemann has finished a series of changes and facelifts of its brand shops – with a range of luxury brands such as Hugo Boss, Longchamp, and Mont Blanc, and designer lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger. Moreover, in response to detailed customer feedback, Heinemann has created a multi-brand accessories shop at duty free prices in SkyCourt.
“We always love to come up with surprises for travellers and the enhanced shopping experience with world-class brands we are now presenting in the SkyCourt is a great example of this,” comments Raoul Spanger, Executive Director Retail, Gebr. Heinemann. “The increase of sales since the face-lift of the shops speaks for itself. Besides the presentation of international brands, our aim is to create an unparalleled local sense of place.”
Furthermore, a special feature of the “Heinemann & Me” customer loyalty programme is also proof of the close collaboration between Gebr. Heinemann and Budapest Airport. The Budapest Airport logo is seen on all promotional materials and the airport offers its own “Local Services”. Members can use Heinemann benefits and all local services airport-wide.
Jost Lammers, CEO Budapest Airport: “As a triple Skytrax ‘Best Airport Award’ winner, Budapest Airport continues its efforts to find the right answer to the multiple and diverse needs of our customers. The success of our retail partners offering both international brands and exclusive Hungarian local products – the so-called Hungaricum – gives another boost to air travel and the popularity of Hungary as an outstanding tourism destination.”
A new brand concept has also been introduced this spring at Budapest Airport, the so-called “unique shopping experience” campaign, which encourages passengers to arrive early at the airport.
Meanwhile, the airport experienced its busiest May on record, handling more than one million passengers. As one of Europe’s fastest-growing airports, hitting the significant milestone two months earlier than in 2015, indicates another extraordinary year ahead for the Hungarian gateway.
Passenger traffic growth has consistently reached double-digits, and the most recent figures show monthly passenger traffic growth in the period to end-June has exceeded 9%.
The launch of several new routes in the first months of the year has primarily driven the growth in passenger figures. With eight of Budapest’s largest carriers registering their highest number of passengers in May, some airlines recorded over 25% year-on-year growth including Wizz Air, British Airways, Norwegian and airberlin. Additionally, the success of long-haul routes to Canada and China has helped further boost these figures, and with new airline partners Air Canada rouge and Asiana Airlines still to launch routes in 2016, this year’s passenger numbers are sure to be looking good for Budapest.
