NEW ZEALAND. Lagardère Travel Retail has said that its newly completed Aelia Duty Free departures store at Auckland International Airport offers “a world class experience, both in-store and online”.
The business opened in July 2015 after the retailer won one of two duty free contracts (alongside Aer Rianta International). In recent days the French company finished the expansion and refurbishment of its departures offer, in 1,480sq m of space.
Lagardère Travel Retail Pacific CEO Matthieu Mercier said: “It has been our largest project to date in the Pacific region and every tiny detail has been well considered and tailored for the passengers travelling through Auckland Airport. We’re very proud to offer a world class shopping experience matched with award-winning customer service, in a store that is premium and accessible – but not intimidating.”
The store’s theme is driven by the Aelia Duty Free concept’s key pillars; The Art of the Gift, Facilitation, Care and Here and Nowhere Else. The store aims to deliver Sense of Place through design elements such as the hexagon honeycomb ceiling evoking the special role Manuka honey plays in the health product category of New Zealand.
The destination offer lies in a themed zone called ‘New Zealand Gifts’ which offers local gifts and souvenirs, confectionery, wellness products and gourmet food.
In beauty, leading brand Chanel is exclusive to Aelia Duty Free at the airport and has installed its latest counter design Marc Jacobs, Karen Walker, Carolina Herrera, Kiehl’s, Urban Decay, M.A.C. Cosmetics and Tom Ford all feature in an extensive P&C brand range. This is complemented by a ‘Scentatorium’ table inviting customers to sample new fragrances.
The store features a strong emphasis on digitalisation, from brand activations to interactive experiences, allowing tailored and customised messaging to be delivered to consumers. A world first digital activation from Coty featuring personalised labelling and interactive discovery screens is located in the heart of the Aelia Duty Free store.
Lagardère Travel Retail runs Aelia Duty Free, Relay, tech2go, Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Kiehl’s, Hub Convenience and Eye Love stores at Auckland International.
*The images below featured in a Picture Gallery as part of our original story from Auckland Airport.