Duty Free Americas secures Miami lease

Gavin Lipsith

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Miami-Dade county commissioners voted nine to three in favour of the Miami-based retailer's 10-year duty-free contract at the airport

Duty Free Americas (DFA) has secured a lease to operate at Miami International airport after Miami-Dade county commissioners approved the deal last Thursday (November 3). DFA will operate 12 stores under a 10-year concession contract, starting this year, with minority partners Concourse Concessions and local firm Siboney Wines & Spirits.

Commissioners voted nine to three in favour of the award, although some questions were raised about the lack of focus on local small businesses and the consortium's ability to deliver the $20m annual guarantee.

The contract includes shops in the airport's south terminal, due to open next year, and in the north terminal currently under construction for American Airlines, as well as those in the existing building.

The county commission also issued a new tender for retail management in the new north and south terminals, after only one company—Westfield Concession Management—bid in the initial process earlier this year. The new proposal calls for disadvantaged businesses to account for 30% of the total contract.