Low-cost Schiphol pier to offer retail opportunities

Tina Milton

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The Schiphol Group is to construct a separate concourse for handling low-cost carriers called pier H at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, a development that could offer new opportunities for retailers

The concourse lounge is scheduled for completion by November 2005 and will connect with terminal three. The layout of lounge four next to the incumbent lounge three, together with the product categories to be featured in the retail facilities, will be decided this month.

The airport authority will take a "no-frills" approach to the facilities in the concourse so that lower handling fees can be offered to low-cost carriers.

One of Schiphol's leading retailers, Kappé Schiphol, is continuing its retail development in the Schengen terminal. Work on the project is scheduled for completion in May 2005. Kappé will operate four locations covering a total of 900sq m (9,680sq ft): a fragrance and cosmetics area, a fragrance and cosmetics exclusive shop focusing on new brands, a separate sunglasses store and a drugstore.

According to Kappé International managing director Gemma Whelehan, year-on-year sales have been flat owing to currency fluctuations that have made duty-free products at Schiphol expensive for UK and US visitors. She said Kappé plans to increase the number of fragrances and cosmetics gwps following the popularity of its two for €49 ($62) special offer. It will also introduce dedicated men's areas in its stores to showcase men's beauty ranges.

Kappé is still exploring the possibility of installing mobile trolleys stocked with duty-free items at the airport. Kappé International chairman Jacques Parson told DFNI: "These kind of units could offer flexibility as well as driving incremental sales. We could use them to trial sales at an airport location for six months before installing a fixed shop."