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21. März 2011 - Opening ceremony: Heinemann Duty Free now in Budapest’s SkyCourt
It’s official: Duty Free shops of the Heinemann brand are now present in four European countries. The ceremonial opening of a new flagship store at Budapest Airport sees the Heinemann brand expand its European portfolio to include 20 airports across Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary – and that number is set to grow. In the words of co-owner Gunnar Heinemann, “This opening is of special importance to our company, as Hungary is a standard-bearer for the remarkable transformation which has taken place in Europe over the last 20 years. The new SkyCourt at Budapest Airport is a wonderful symbol of how closely the citizens of our continent are now connected by air transport.” The Heinemann brand is also being introduced at a number of additional airports in Germany and Austria, with new stores opening in Vienna (February), Hannover (March) and Saint Petersburg in 2011 alone. From January 2012 onwards the map of Heinemann’s European presence will broaden to include Norway, with the brand set to be introduced at the Oslo, Trondheim, Kristiansand and Stavanger airports. The new capital airport Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) will follow in 2012.
In just a few days time, passengers at Budapest Airport will be able to explore the new flagship store in the midst of the unique architectural setting that is the SkyCourt. Located immediately after the central security checkpoints, the new walk-through Heinemann Duty Free shop will be open to all passengers from March the 27th onwards. Upon entering the store, customers will be greeted by an exciting world of luxury shopping, entertainment and comprehensive service. The Budapest project has seen Heinemann invest a total amount of 3.5m Euros and create 50 additional jobs.
Co-owner Gunnar Heinemann explains: “We aim to gain the loyalty of our customers through our family name. Customers should be aware that they are choosing Heinemann. Not only do we give duty free a face and add personality to the business, but we are also the only family-owned business on the global duty free market. Our brand is not based on an artificial name. More than 130 years of trustworthy service and consistent performance have made our company grow, and we want to communicate this success to our customers.” Jost Lammers, CEO of Budapest Airport, added: “We have had a proven, reliable partner here at the airport in Heinemann Duty Free for more than a decade. With the opening of SkyCourt I am sure we will offer premium category travel experience to passengers and shopping is integral part of this. Heinemann’s offer will meet the taste of the most demanding passenger let it be cosmetics, liquors and wine, toys, Hungarian or international brands. Together we serve one common goal: it is to make air travel a truly joyful event for everybody.”
A world of adventure: promotional stages with changing presentations
Heinemann Duty Free offers an exciting world of adventure in which there is always something new to discover, with the aim being to surprise customers beyond their expectations. Regularly changing displays are created on impressive promotional stages known as “Heinemann’s Choice”. These displays serve to awaken the curiosity of both holidaymakers and frequent flyers alike, and also cement the idea in their minds that Heinemann always offers variety and entertainment.
In addition, regional highlights, specialties and delicacies are presented in a “Regionals” area in the Heinemann Duty Free shop. The area was designed by the Budapest-based firm of architects GEON, which has integrated the theme of “water” into the shop using creativity and a contemporary sense of style. Spas and bathing culture have been part of Hungarian life for centuries, with over 1300 thermal springs documented. Budapest’s 130 springs and 21 public baths make it the largest spa town in Europe, and the Heinemann Duty Free shop reflects this by using large drops of water to present regional delicacies and specialties.
Whether Hungarian red wines, Tokaji or goose liver, every traveller will have a last-minute chance to pick up a piece of Budapest before they fly. Regional products are very popular with shoppers at Budapest Airport, and every fourth item currently sold in the Travel Value & Duty Free shops operated by Heinemann in Budapest is a Hungarian product. As Gunnar Heinemann puts it, “Passengers passing through the airport expect both international and regional brands to be on offer. We have therefore set ourselves the task of bringing together both bestselling items from around the world and attractive country-specific products in one shop. Our employees are extremely well trained, and possess a wealth of knowledge about regional products which foreign travellers can buy as presents or souvenirs of their time in Hungary. Good advice can therefore be seen as a key element of the service we provide as an airport retailer.” Its regional concept has already helped Heinemann Duty Free win over airport operators within the framework of a wide range of international tender processes, for example in Berlin, Vienna and Saint Petersburg.
Gunnar Heinemann sums up: “We will continue to follow this successful path and bring the culture of the respective city or country to life in our Heinemann Duty Free shops.”
Full service for air travellers
Heinemann’s plan is to use service innovations like these to make it stand out from other operators of Travel Value & Duty Free shops. The new store sees full-service made available to customers even before they enter the airport. Thanks to pre-ordering, passengers will be able to place their orders online from the comfort of their own home. Their purchases will then be ready for them to pick up in the shop on an essentially walk-through basis.
Anyone in possession of a valid boarding pass can shop at the Heinemann Duty Free shop. Whether they are travelling on flights within Europe or heading for distant continents, every passenger pays the same price – regardless of their flight destination. As a result of corresponding tax and customs conditions, this excludes domestic and duty free tobacco items.
The Heinemann Duty Free shop is not the only outlet being opened by the Hamburg-based company at the SkyCourt. Two new concept shops, each with an area of 200 m², are also being launched – one offering high-quality fashion from Hugo Boss and Polo Ralph Lauren, the other stylish collections from Burberry, Montblanc and Longchamp.
For the first full year of operation, Heinemann anticipates turnover of approx. 50 million Euros (13.661.800.000 HUF); in 2010 the turnover was 37.8 million Euros (10.328.320.800 HUF). With the opening of the SkyCourt, Gebr. Heinemann’s shop area at the Hungarian capital’s airport has expanded significantly from 1,300 m² to around 2,200 m².
The new Heinemann Duty Free shop in the SkyCourt has an area of 1,400 m². In addition to the SkyCourt shop, Heinemann Duty Free shops in the non-Schengen area of Terminal 2B (170 m²) and in Terminal 1 (>260 m²) ensure that all passengers departing from Budapest Airport have the chance to shop with Heinemann.
Considerable number of new jobs in the SkyCourt
The opening of the SkyCourt has seen Heinemann create 50 new jobs. The company now employs a total of 180 people at Budapest Ferihegy Airport, with 5,000 people employed by Heinemann worldwide.
Budapest / Hamburg, 17th of March 2011
Press contact:
Schellenberg & Kirchberg PR
Cord Schellenberg, Anika Lütjen
Phone +49 40 593 50 500
mail@schellenberg-kirchberg-pr.de
