Even as Avolta opens new and expanded concessions around the world– from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, from Norway to Tunisia and beyond – its operations in Mexico – where the company has been operating for nearly 30 years – continue to take center stage in the Americas. Not only has Avolta completely renovated its flagship duty free store in Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport, it also has opened new hybrid concepts in partnership with Turin inside one of its Hudson News store in the airport, and in Cancun, debuted the new “Agave World” concept, designed to enhance the traveler experience and understanding of tequila.
Avolta officially opened its newly renovated 1,600 square meter duty free store at Mexico City International Airport last September.
Offering the full range of duty free categories in a fresh open layout, the successful renovation is designed to appeal to travelers with interactive digital experiences, an expansive luxury watch and jewelry space accented by an impressive espresso and drink bar, boutique store-in-store spaces, luxury fashion and more, said the company.
The renovated space introduces a selection of new brands and hybrid elements, all while spotlighting Mexico’s vibrant cultural heritage to deliver an exceptional shopping experience.
Enrique Urioste, President and CEO LATAM and the Caribbean, Avolta, noted: “This opening marks a milestone in the airport’s commercial offerings, providing travelers with a shopping experience that combines the best of technology, sense of place and luxury in one place, all achieved by putting the traveler at our core of our approach. This is in line with Avolta’s Destination 2027 to create a travel experience revolution. We share the values and vision of the airport authorities and will work together with them to deliver the best possible experience to the passengers of CDMX.”
Speaking with TMI, Urioste underlines why the company is investing heavily in its Mexican operations.
“Mexico, in general, is a country with older stores and great potential. In all of the airports we have long contracts that justify very important capex investments. This new store with the new brands, services and experience offered to our passengers will allow us to grow.”
Alongside the traditional categories of beauty, liquor, luxury items, tobacco, and food, the store offers an exclusive high- end perfume area featuring prestigious and niche brands, and a fashion area with boutique brand spaces. In the beauty area a virtual try-on tool makes make-up even more fun for travelers, while in the liquor area, Avolta’s personalized whisky finder points travelers in the right direction for their individual palates.
Together with the new stores and brands, Urioste stresses that Avolta is also putting a lot of effort in its staff.
“We are a people’s company and the experience that we offer to our customers is a key driver to success. Training and taking good care of them is in our DNA,” he said.
“This new walkthrough store replaces the old ‘red ceiling’ stores we had in that terminal and the combination of store, sense of place, brands and our staff is delivering a great increase in our spend per passenger.”
A crowd favorite is the “Flavors of Mexico” section, a space dedicated to local products that invites travelers to explore a unique selection of exceptional tequilas and mezcals, as well as a wide range of spicy sauces, sweets, and Mexican chocolates. The local signature tequila, offers a fun ‘lift and learn’ educational aspect, helping travelers explore the flavors of their favorite blend.
Dynamic digital screens and prominent promotional areas enhance the overall allure, creating an immersive and distinctive shopping experience designed to elevate travelers’ enjoyment and set a positive tone before their journey. With more than 30 stores already in operation at Mexico City International Airport, across duty free, duty-paid and Hudson convenience, Avolta is strengthening its presence with the new opening.
In January, Avolta also opened the first hybrid store in Mexico City.
“This amazing new concept is done with Turin inside one of our Hudson News stores,” said Urioste. The hybrid is the first of three that will be opened in this first quarter in Mexico City. “This partnership allows us to deliver an extraordinary sense of place that we hope will support our vision of surprising the passengers with new experiences and amazing products.”
Looking to Cancun, Avolta is also striving to provide travelers with an extraordinary experience with its recently opened “Agave World” concept.
“This amazing store will help travelers understand and experience the magic world of Tequila,” said Urioste. “The Agave shop is another concept that we are using to provide a unique experience to the travelers. It is an immersive experience that helps to understand the Tequila product.”
Urioste adds that Avolta will continue to create such experiential concepts, not limited to Tequila throughout the region.
“You already saw the Appleton experience in Jamaica,” he noted.
In other news in the region, Urioste tells TMI that Avolta has obtained its first F&B RFP in Conghonas airport in Brazil that will be opening late April.
“This will be a Corona Bar that will deliver an amazing experience,” he said. And debuting yet another new concept, Avolta has opened its first exclusive Duty Free Store at an FBO (private jet airport) in LATAM at Punta del Este Airport in Uruguay.
