Commerce Commission blocks DFS purchase of Regency stores at Auckland

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The decision comes as the airport opens its new international arrivals area, which includes the largest DFS store in the Asia/Pacific region

The New Zealand Commerce Commission has blocked DFS Group’s attempt to acquire The Nuance Group’s Regency Duty Free operation at Auckland airport. Chair Paula Rebstock said the Commission “could not be satisfied that the proposed deal will not lessen the on-airport retail competition in duty-free at the airport”. The written reasons for the decision have not been released yet.

Meanwhile, Auckland airport has opened its new international arrivals area as part of an expansion plan that will increase its capacity to 25m passengers by 2025. The new arrivals area features New Zealand imagery, expanded corridors with travelators and increase passenger processing capacity. It also includes a 1,600sq m (17,222sq ft) duty-free shop operated by DFS Group. The store is the largest in the Asia/Pacific region and will offer “a much broader range of products which will be competitive with other leading international airports,” the airport said in a statement.

Auckland airport CEO Don Huse said: “This is about creating a great first impression for New Zealand, and making visitors or kiwis returning home feel more welcome. In particular, the additional capacity is very significant as it will reduce bottlenecks and position the airport for future growth. The crucial considerations of sustainability, imagery, and traveller experience that have gone into the new arrivals area represent another significant step towards delivering Auckland airport’s long-term growth.”