New retail concepts developed by the Exxel Group and AA2000

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Airport authority AA2000 and Interbaires' parent company the Exxel Group have jointly begun to develop the landside commercial activities at Argentina's airports.

Shop Gallery (pictured), which initially launched at Buenos Aires Aeroparque, is a new concept offering spacious and modern outlets for departing passengers, also giving them the chance to make their purchases when returning home.

The format is similar to duty-free with well-known brands from fragrances, cosmetics, liquor, food, tobacco, watches, eyewear, fashion and accessories suppliers. Clothing brands will include Paula Cohen Danvers, Coniglio, Lacoste and Polo Ralph Lauren and, for the first time in Argentina, Armani, Gap and Banana Republic.

Brands from outside of the fashion sector will include Lancome, Christian Dior and Estée Lauder. There will also be an area called Tierra Argentina, displaying Argentinian arts and crafts, sourced by working directly with local craftsmen from each region.

This commercial enterprise from the Exxel Group and AA2000 will also offer competitive prices and promotions. Exxel's investment in the project is in the region of $1.2m. The concept gives an indication of how all Argentina's airports will appear in the near future and will introduced to each airport, on a smaller or larger scale, during 2002.

Central to the design is the close integration of the airside and landside areas, to maximize opportunities to display products and to increase sales potential. It involves an open and continuous space, without walls, of approximately 1,000sq m (10,760sq ft), which includes areas for different product categories each with their own identity and a strong emphasis on contemporary design.

The result is a dynamic and colourful proposition based on the use of contrasting elements to allow easy identification of each sector without detracting from the overall concept. A very short period, around 60 days, was required to plan and introduce the concept.