Chacalli targets regional airports

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Willfred van der Kloet remains as managing director as parent company Seabourne charges a new executive director with growth

Belgian wholesaler and retailer Chacalli de Decker hopes to expand its retail operations at regional airports in the Benelux region, starting with two tenders over the coming year. Speaking exclusively to TRW Mike Sheriff, executive director of parent company Seabourne with specific responsibility for Chacalli, revealed that growing the company's airport business would be  a key objective.

Sheriff, who joined the company in March, will oversee financial and operational functions while veteran managing director Willfred van der Kloet retains responsibility for commercial aspects and key accounts. The appointment indicates Seabourne's aspirations for Chacalli de Decker, which opened a 150sq m airside store at Germany's Niederrhein airport, its third airport location, in February.

The store hit profit in three months, Sheriff told TRW, and the company would be seeking similar opportunities to grow its business. ?We are definitely looking to expand our regional airport business and are aiming for sensible growth rather than rapid expansion. As we are a relatively small company we are able to go into regional airports, ones that may escape the radar of larger operators, and make a profit. For the moment we will be looking into other regional airport opportunities in the Benelux region, and I hope we will be able to secure two tenders within the next year.