Aelia announces 15% rise in turnover for 2007

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The retailer’s joint venture with AdP Société de Distribution Aéroportuaire also recorded an 18% increase in sales on a pro forma basis

French retailer Aelia Group has announced that sales set a new record for the company in 2007, growing by 15% to €544m ($805m) compared with the previous year. The operator’s joint venture with Aéroports de Paris (AdP) Société de Distribution Aéroportuaire (SDA) recorded an 18% increase in sales on a pro forma basis.

A statement mentioned the opening of Paris Charles de Gaulle airport S3 satellite terminal, the completion of France’s biggest travel-retail outlet at Marseille Provence airport and Aelia’s entry into the Polish market at Krakow John Paul II airport as highlights of 2007. The company's good performance was attributed to “strong traffic numbers and the refurbishment and the expansion of stores in key terminals”.

Aelia chairman and CEO Jean-Baptiste Morin said: “We’re delighted with the rate of growth posted by Aelia in 2007, which was nonetheless a challenging period for the industry as a whole. Our growth was strong in all categories, including the core categories of liquor, tobacco and fragrances as well as fashion, accessories and electronics. We also accomplished a lot of things behind the scenes, notably the full replacement of our cash-till system, which went very smoothly, and continued improvements to our staff training programme, which is central to our future as a group. For these and many other reasons, we have every cause to be positive about the future.”

He added: "Our partnership with AdP [SDA] has been a great success, and is delivering an excellent performance for both partners. We are delighted with our cooperation with AdP, which has proved to be efficient and growth-minded."

Morin also cited the refurbishment of the commercial areas at Paris Orly airport and the opening of a 1,200sq m (12,916sq ft) multi-category outlet at Warsaw Frédéric Chopin airport terminal two as important landmarks for 2008.