Mannah Duty Free reports arrivals boost at Asunción

John Gallagher

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Strong sales at new 250sq m (2,690sq ft) arrivals shop at Asunción International airport

Grupo La Petisquera subsidiary Mannah Duty Free has reported strong sales at its new 250sq m (2,690sq ft) arrivals shop at Asunción International airport since it opened in June. The group said in the August 15 edition of DFNI that it was happy with the store’s location and that sales were well above forecasts.

La Petisquera president Alejandro Mannah told DFNI that sales in the company’s departures shop, which opened in February, were also strong. Fragrances and liquor are the leading categories at the location, but Mannah said sunglasses and accessories had also fared well since the opening.

He said: “Sales of watches are going so well we have increased the amount of space we allocate to the category. For the rest of the year we will continue with promotional activity in all categories and we hope to add several new brands for airport users at Asunción.”

Passenger traffic has been growing rapidly and Mannah reported big increases in the number of Brazilian and Argentinian travellers, who are historically the biggest spenders in the region.

Meanwhile, the strength of the Brazilian real has boosted the group’s duty-free sales in the Paraguayan border town of Ciudad del Este. “With the real at below two to the dollar we have enjoyed several months of solid trading,” said Mannah. “All categories have performed well, both traditional and newer sectors such as accessories and sports goods. We believe sales will continue to thrive until the end of the year.”