Entebbe airport retail revamp delayed

Tina Milton

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Uganda Duty Free Sales has delayed the renovation of its departure and arrival stores at Entebbe airport

Uganda Duty Free Sales has delayed the revamp of its 5,500sq ft (511sq m) departure store following the passing away of managing director Sadru Kara. Kara's wife is currently managing the operation.

General manager Jayesh Patel said the modernisation of the shop would go ahead but would not begin until March 2006. He said the redesign would include an additional 100sq m (1,076sq ft) of space in which the retailer will extend its liquor and wines offer and open a walk-in humidor. The revamp will also change the shop's design and add new fragrance display units in a bid to increase passenger spend. It likely to be completed by April.

The retailer's 1,500sq ft (139sq m) arrivals shop will not be renovated as Patel indicated the airport authority plans to move the outlet to a new location. Patel said duty-free sales had dropped by 20% during 2005 compared to the previous year, in line with a 20% decrease in passenger levels due to a decline in transit flights. "There are less UN peacekeepers at the airport than in 2004 so there are less tourists due to security concerns," said Patel.

The Ugandan retailer already operates two downtown wine and spirits outlets in the city, measuring 2,500sq ft (232sq m) and 1,500sq ft (139sq m). Liquor is the best-selling category at the airport, followed by tobacco.