HKIA to expand East Hall retail area

Nicole Mezzasalma

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Increases in sales and visitor traffic fuel expansion plans

Hong Kong International airport (HKIA) has announced plans to expand its retail space in terminal one’s East Hall in response to year-on-year increases in sales and visitor traffic. The airport will add around 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft) of retail space to levels six and seven. Half of that will be used by anchor tenants to expand current outlets, while the remaining half will be shared between six new outlets ranging from 70sq m (753sq ft) to 180sq m (1,937sq ft).

HKIA’s sales figures for the first nine months of 2007 were up 17% compared to the same period last year, with sales at the highest volume recorded since the airport started operations in 1998. July and August registered a sharp year-on-year increase of 21.5% in sales. Duty-free sales rose by 22%, with strong performances from the liquor, tobacco, fragrances and cosmetics categories. Speciality categories, including luxury branded boutiques, showed a year-on-year increase of over 25% in summer sales. Based on these figures, the airport has forecast that total retail sales for 2007 will exceed $1.2bn.

Airport Authority Hong Kong commercial director Hans Bakker said: “Hong Kong International airport is not just a crossroads but a place for visitors to stop, take some time, and enjoy themselves. We see the direct results of this unique environment in our successful partnerships with the world class retailers that choose HKIA.”