Heinemann has stepped up and streamlined its retail presence at Budapest Airport by finishing a series of brand-shop facelifts just before the beginning of the summer travel season. Last year Heinemann managed to increase its sales above the record passenger growth of Budapest Airport and the new shops with well-sought international fashion and accessories brands will add to this rise in sales.
HAeinemann Duty Free as well as the brand shops are operated by Hungarian Duty Free, a 100% affiliate of Heinemann, the largest retail partner of Budapest Airport. Heinemann operates over 300 Heinemann Duty Free & Travel Value Shops as well as fashion label boutiques under licence and concept shops at 78 airports in 28 countries.
Overall retail sales turnover at Budapest Airport last year alone surpassed EUR 110 million (of which EUR 53 million was the share of Heinemann) – a significant 20% growth exceeding the 12.5% passenger growth figure.
Participating in this growth, Heinemann now operates 2217 square metres of retail space in the SkyCourt terminal of Budapest Airport 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 a multi-brand accessories store.
At the fifth anniversary of the opening of SkyCourt Heinemann has finished a series of changes and facelifts of its brand shops – with a range of luxury brands such as Hugo Boss, Longchamp, Mont Blanc and designer lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger. In response to detailed customer feedback Heinemann has created a multi-brand accessories shop at duty-free prices in SkyCourt.
Raoul Spanger, Executive Director Retail at Heinemann, says: “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 for this.
“The increase of sales since the facelift of the shops speaks for itself. Besides the presentation of international brands, our aim is to create an unparalleled local sense of place. The regional Hungarian products like Szamos Marcipan, Pick Salami or Zwack Unicum are bestsellers. Since 1998 we have had a very fruitful partnership with Budapest Airport and we´re looking forward to an even more successful period.”
A special feature of the “Heinemann & Me” customer loyalty program is also a proof of the close collaboration between Heinemann and Budapest Airport. Since 2014 the membership has incorporated co-operation with an 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.
Encouraging passengers to arrive early at the airport, Budapest Airport supports the launch of new brand concepts by introducing the so-called “unique shopping experience” campaign this spring.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new brand shops, Jost Lammers, Chief Executive Officer of Budapest Airport ,said: “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 high professional standards of Heinemann help us to offer a unique airport experience to millions of airline passengers ranging from backpacking students to business people coming from the 96 destinations served from Budapest.
“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.”
