Airport News
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has announced plans to completely transform the retail outlets in its arrivals and departures zones in the International Terminal in order to enhance the shopping experience for all its passengers.
UK-based retail architecture company The Design Solution and Asia and USA retail planning consultants The S-A-P Group will redevelop the retail spaces to includes larger walk-through duty-free stores for arrivals and departures, central seating zones and new specialty food and beverage opportunities, which will capitalise on the direct aerobridge access to the retail area.
BAC general manager Terminal Retail and Commercial, Andrew Brodie, said the redevelopment would deliver an exceptional retail environment that enhances the passenger journey as well as encouraging dwell time and repeat visitation to retail stores.
“Exhaustive research has been conducted to ensure the final design produces a world-class environment that creates a memorable and uniquely ‘Brisbane’ experience for travellers, while maximising sales for retailers.
“Essentially we have completely changed the way we look at retail, going from traditional to a more homogenous approach that stimulates, entertains and engages travellers, providing opportunities for activity, education and retail interaction,” Brodie added.
The main element of the redevelopment project will be a new 1,600m² walk-through duty free outlet and centrally located seating in the departures area, creating an improved shopping experience and facilitating strong interaction between passengers and the retail offerings.
Brodie continued, “The redevelopment will allow retailers to better connect with passengers across all aspects of their journey through the terminal, as well as providing an environment that is engaging and encourages travellers to meander through the full range available to duty free passengers.
“There will also be exceptional food and beverage opportunities to cater for the 4.5 million passengers who travel through our International Terminal each year.”
The creation of a dedicated ‘orientation zone’ will also allow passengers to access currency exchange or the tourist refund scheme prior to entering the new departures duty free area.
Robbie Gill, managing director of The Design Solution, said, “It’s been an exciting experience working with Brisbane Airport over the last 12 months on this significant redevelopment. The concept developed with The Design Solution team will deliver a world class airport retail environment that will maximise the retail opportunity for Duty Free, specialty retail and food and beverage.”
Construction is expected to commence mid-2014, in line with the expiry of the retail contracts, and be complete by mid-2015.
