Hong Kong International airport set for SkyMart record

Gavin Lipsith

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Sales at the airport’s main retail and catering area have already surpassed last year’s and are set to break a new annual record in 2006, says Airport Authority Hong Kong. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has revealed that it is set to achieve record-breaking sales at Hong Konmg International airport’s SkyMart this year. Sales from January to November grew by 12.2% compared to the same period last year, against passenger growth by 3.1%. The retail and catering facility has already reached last year’s sales of over US$1bn (HK$7.8bn) and sales per passenger have increased by about 3%.

The authority said that all product categories recorded double-digit growth, with the strongest performance in packaged food, up 19.2%, fragrances and cosmetics, up 15.4%, and liquor and tobacco, up 14.9%.

AAHK commercial director Hans Bakker said: “2006 has proven to be a very rewarding year. Our success can be attributed to our continual review and analysis of our trade and merchandise mix, our in-store and mall promotions, our value for money campaigns, our tactical sales exhibitions and promotions and of course the hard work of our operators. Working closely with our operators, I am confident that we can deliver even better results in the future.”

The airport reported that the recent ban on carrying liquids on flights bound for the US and Europe has had little effect on the overall sales because of the compensating effect of increased sales in other categories. AAHK and its retailers took proactive measures such as posting reminders about the liquid ban, and Nuance-Watson (HK) set up a landside Temptation counter for passengers to buy fragrances and cosmetics prior to check-in.