HMSHost wins Atlanta duty-paid concession

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**TRW EXCLUSIVE** Hartsfield Atlanta International airport has awarded HMSHost the contract to operate 10 duty-paid concessions at its international terminal, concourse three, and has revealed that it will shortly make a decision between Duty Free Americas (DFA) and Duty Free Air & Ship Supply (DFASS) in its long-awaited duty-free tender

HMSHost beat competition from Hachette Distribution Services and WHSmith to run the duty-paid business, which is estimated to be worth $9-10m annually. The winning bid offered a minimum annual guarantee of 14% of the first year's minimum projected income. Seven of the 10 concessions are retail outlets, including three national branded stores and three news kiosks.

Said concessions manager Kyle Mastin: "We are very fortunate to be at the world's busiest airport, and all the players have been keen to be involved, which has made our jobs easier. The bids have been very favourable in terms of rental projections and forecast revenues."

Mastin also revealed that an announcement on the long-awaited duty-free tender would follow within days, with DFA and DFASS both being considered. After talks with the operators, plans for the concession have been revised; there will now be one 7,000sq ft store instead of a 4,200sq ft store with three satellite outlets.