ARI to double its retail space at Moscow Domodedovo

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The retailer secured an extra 850sq m (9,149sq ft) and reported that sales doubled in 2007

Aer Rianta International’s (ARI) Runway Duty Free operation at Moscow Domodedovo airport is to double its retail space this year. The company secured an additional 320sq m (3,444sq ft) of duty-free space, due to open in early 2008, and 530sq m (5,704sq ft) in the duty-paid plaza area, scheduled to open later this year.

ARI also reported that sales at the airport doubled in 2007 compared with the previous year. Regional general manager John Moriarty attributed the significant growth to a 22% increase in passenger traffic at the airport during the period and to the opening of the enlarged Runway Beauty 2 store in January 2007. Fragrances and cosmetics sales registered a year-on-year increase of 136%.

Moriarty said: “With Runway Beauty 2 on the second floor, we got the opportunity to develop an excellent [beauty] offering in a well-designed store as well as introducing some new brands. Furthermore, with the development of [the category] in the Russian domestic market, we see an increasing demand for quality and service in this field and have worked with both our suppliers and staff to give this to our customers. We are also delighted to have secured extra retail space which will allow us to further expand our product offering to passengers as well as strengthening our position in the market.”

Other changes to the existing Runway Duty Free stores at Domodedovo were also completed in December, when Shannon’s Irish bar was moved to the lower ground floor to be replaced by a generic Runway Duty Free outlet which concentrates on high-end liquor brands. The retailer also completed its Runway Gourmet shop on the second floor.