KLM's Smid welcomes Schiphol move

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John Rimmer

6-Jul-2006

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The KLM Tax Free Services director of airport retail tells RavenFox.com he is "happy to have clarity" on Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's decision to take on the airport's liquor and tobacco concession

Following airport authority Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's announcement that it is to take over the airport's liquor and tobacco concession from January 1 2007, incumbent KLM Tax Free Services has said it is "happy to have clarity on the subject". RavenFox.com understands that the retailer's management and staff will be offered posts at Schiphol as the landlord prepares its first move into directly-operated retail.

KLM Tax Free Services director of airport retail Ico Smid told RavenFox.com: "I'm very happy that we have clarity on the subject, that a final decision has been made and that we can move on. We're pleased that we're dealing with a very good company in Schiphol and we will do our utmost to keep up the good work we've achieved until now. It's a fair deal and our focus is now on continuity."

RavenFox.com understands that discussions over the future running of Amsterdam Schiphol's liquor and tobacco concession have continued for several months.

Smid admitted that the liquor and tobacco business at Schiphol this year had been "tough", partly owing to the success of the arrivals duty-free business at Oslo International airport, where Gebr Heinemann venture Travel Retail Norway opened arrivals stores in July last year. "Duty-free sales are down as a result of the Norway business and it's hard to get those sales back," explained Smid. "But we're working hard to maintain and improve on what we have."

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