Dufry has won the tender for the duty free retail operations at Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport and will be extending its existing concession contract until 2026 for duty free activities and until 2021 for two convenience stores. Under the new contract, Dufry will develop 5 new shops and almost double its retail space for a total of over 1,100 sq. meters.
More than one million passengers depart Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport each year.
Dufry has operated a 515 sqm walk-through duty free shop at the airport since 2000, and opened an additional 50 sqm duty free shop in 2014. Dufry’s new shop development program, to begin in December 2016, comprises the total re-design of its main duty free shop in the International Terminal. When completed, the 783 sqm store will offer customers an extensive range of beauty, liquor, tobacco and confectionery items alongside clothing, watches and jewelry.
In the Regional Terminal, Dufry will operate a 180 sqm duty free and duty paid shop that will offer the core product categories as well as some clothing and luxury accessories.
It will also open a 35 sqm fashion shop selling beach and surf-wear in the International Terminal arrivals area as well as a 108 sqm Hudson news and convenience shop in the boarding area of the International Terminal. Another 12 sqm Hudson kiosk will be situated in the boarding area of the Regional Terminal.
The construction is expected to be completed in Summer 2017.
The main duty free shop will feature a contemporary design with materials such as wood and reflective surfaces to evoke elements of the locality and the Carib-bean. It will also include a ‘Thinking Guadeloupe’ area in the main duty free shop that will offer local foods and gift items.
Alain Bievre, Chairman of Société Aéroportuaire Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes SA explains: “The airport of Pointe à Pitre/Le Raizet has been successfully operating the first walk-through duty free shop ever since the year 2000 and the first duty free shop for the region. With its decision to extend and expand the cooperation through the development of the new retail spaces, the Board of SA GPC not only renews its trust in the Dufry Group, but also supports the company in diversifying and increasing its operations at the Point à Pitre/ Le Raizet airport and the region as a whole.”
Julian Diaz, CEO of Dufry Group, comments: “We thank the Guadeloupe Airport Authorities for their ongoing trust and for appointing Dufry to extend this successful cooperation. By winning this important tender we foster our strong footprint in the Caribbean and underline our ability to develop competitive and attractive travel retail solutions for airports and their passengers across the world. Our dedicated shop design will make Guadeloupean citizens feel at home and help visitors experience the rich culture and tradition of this beautiful island.”