Aeroboutique-DFA win Eurotunnel contract

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Leading French airport operator Aeroboutique-Duty Free Associates has won the contract to run Eurotunnel's outlets at its Coquelles terminal on the French mainland. The concession includes a 750sq m (8,070sq ft) store selling liquor and tobacco, in addition to a smaller fragrances and cosmetics outlet. Aeroboutique-DFA will take over the contract on April 1.

An Aeroboutique-DFA spokesman told TRW the liquor and tobacco business at Eurotunnel's French terminal was especially attractive thanks to the price savings available to UK travellers. He added that sales of beer were especially important, with 40,000 hectolitres sold at the Coquelles outlet alone last year.

Turnover from cigarettes reached Fr355m ($49.6m) last year, with cigars accounting for Fr11m ($1.5m). Sales of spirits, meanwhile, contributed Fr92m ($12.8m) with beers, wines and Champagnes totalling Fr82m ($11.5m).

Aer Rianta International and Alpha Travel Retail are understood to have tabled bids for the Eurotunnel business. The previous incumbent, World Duty Free, terminated its contract last year and will withdraw completely by April 1.

• Further details and reaction will appear this month in the IAADFS Orlando show issue of Duty-Free News International.