NEW ZEALAND. Aer Rianta International (ARI) is set to open The Loop Duty Free store at Auckland Airport on Monday 19 April and has released a memorable ‘Welcome Back’ video to explain the significance of the reopening to its teams.
Auckland Airport will open many airside stores (including The Loop Duty Free, Aelia Duty Free and others) to coincide with the launch of a travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia, with arrivals allowed to enter quarantine-free.
The duty free stores have been closed since 19 March 2020, with the government-ordered closure of all non-essential outlets to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The Loop Duty Free Marketing Team’s ‘Welcome Back’ campaign can be viewed above
ARI Auckland Head of Retail Operations Melanie Rutherford said: “We are so excited to be welcoming customers safely back to our store once again. The entire team has worked tirelessly, with undeniable passion over the last 13 days to provide only the best welcome back experience for passengers. The store looks incredible and we are sure that we have the right proposition to engage and excite our customers on their travels.”
The retailer said that it has undertaken consumer studies to assess passenger expectations, while virtual training has helped to up-skill teams and kept staff engaged with colleagues. The company has also maintained CSR initiatives during the closure, noting that “community is at the heart of operations at The Loop”.
With the confirmation of the travel bubble launch this month, Auckland Airport Chief Executive Adrian Littlewood said it was exciting to be able to fully reconnect with Australia.
Speaking last week, he said: “I’m sure this news will be most welcomed by those families who have been separated across the Tasman for the past year. Technology is amazing for staying connected but it’s just not the same as being together for life’s big moments.
“It is also great news for those businesses keen to get back to face-to-face meetings, and of course, the tourism, accommodation and hospitality sectors, which have been hit incredibly hard over the past year.
“The team at Auckland Airport is excited to be welcoming more passengers through its international terminal and putting into action the plans for safely managing different categories of international travellers arriving into New Zealand.”
