Chacalli favoured for Liege retail contract

Gavin Lipsith

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The retailer and wholesaler reports it has received a letter of intent to operate retail at the Belgian airport's new terminal

Belgian retailer and wholesaler Chacalli-De Decker is close to signing a contract to operate duty-free and duty-paid retail at Liege airport when it opens its new terminal in February 2005. The retailer told RavenFox.com that it had received a letter of intent from the airport authority, and was expecting to sign a contract in the next couple of weeks.

The company competed against leading local travel retailer Belgian Sky Shops for the contract, which will cover around 200sq m (2,160sq ft) of retail space at the new terminal, which will have capacity for 1.2m passengers annually.

A spokeswoman for the airport authority refused to reveal whether a winner had been chosen, but said an announcement would be made within 10 days.

Chacalli-De Decker also told RavenFox.com that it has completed a sales merger with London-based competitor Ambassadors Choice Duty Free, previously owned by Cecil MacDonald. The companies' sales functions will be combined, with Chacalli-De Decker overseeing operations.

The deal adds several important non-liquor and tobacco brands to Chacalli's predominantly liquor and tobacco-based diplomatic offer, and the combined unit will service London, Paris, Brussels and The Hague. Chacalli-De Decker told RavenFox.com it was looking forward to presenting its ?best-ever Christmas offer? to diplomats across Europe.

The moves are in line with Chachalli's aims to grow core parts of its business, including the regional airport and diplomatic sectors, will looking for new revenue streams.