Frankfurt announces retail blueprint

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Frankfurt International airport is undergoing a major redevelopment and expansion of shopping facilities that will see total retail space at terminals 1 and 2 grow from about 13,600 to 20,000sq m (146,336 to 215,200 sq ft) by 2007

In the past few years, terminal 1 has already been significantly transformed with new shops and restaurants, new retail concepts and additional space. Fraport said "This is only the beginning of the growing shoppers' paradise that we are developing at Frankfurt."

The goal of Fraport's Traffic and Retail (VTM) strategic business division formed earlier this year (TRW 03/01/02) was to enhance the attractiveness of shopping and restaurants at the airport and steadily increase retail revenues.

The company said, "For many years the growth curve for retailing revenues has outpaced the growth in passenger traffic at Frankfurt. Passengers are and will continue to be the primary target group for Frankfurt Airport Shopping. The majority of the new shops will be located past the security check points in the airside areas."

Additional shopping malls are planned for both terminals 1 and 2  to strengthen the airport's position as a self-styled "Marketplace of the 21st Century". Its concept is intended to be exciting and relaxing and to offer international brands along with regional specialities.

Currently Frankfurt offers 130 shops, including 16 duty-free and Travel Value shops and approximately 50 restaurants, bars and cafes. The 30-member retail team within the Traffic and Retail (VTM) division also oversees a number of service providers in the terminals, including car rental agencies, currency exchanges and banks, post offices, travel agencies, pharmacies, hair salons, and Germany's only airport casino.

Almost 15 new shops and restaurants have opened at Frankfurt airport since the beginning of this year, mostly in terminal 1 transit and departures. They include a German food specialities and wine store Deliport, Pens which includes the Porsche Design Collection, H Stern, Art & Design, Multitronics, Swatch Corner, Beauty Port, Photair, Pfuller Kids Concept, House of Champions and Art & Design. An additional duty-free and Travel Value store opened in terminal 1 transit B area recently.