Nuance loss at Copenhagen to "improve" profits

Tina Milton

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The Nuance Group has stated that its contract loss at Copenhagen Airport should help to improved its profit levels

The Nuance Group has stated that the loss of the Copenhagen retail contract should drive improved profits in the coming year. The new six-year contract, which was won by Gebr Heinemann, will begin on March 1, 2007.

The Nuance Group has operated the concession at Copenhagen Airport since 1995. The current concession, which has been running since 2002, will end on February 2007.

The Nuance Group CEO Jean-Paul Bonnel said: "This decision by Copenhagen Airport does not come as a surprise given the history of our past cooperation. We are convinced that we presented a very strong financial and commercial offer. In line with our past experiences in Copenhagen, we also built in some protection measures against risks."

He added: "We wish our successor luck in operating this new concession. Not having Copenhagen in our portfolio should materialise in improved profits for the coming year."

Gebr Heinemann submitted the most attractive bid for the concession according to Copenhagen Airports A/S in financial, product, design and concept terms.

Copenhagen Airports A/S vice-president Henrik Busch said: "The tax-free stores are a very substantial part of our passengers' experience at the airport. We look forward to working with Gebr Heinemann KG, which is the right operator to carry through the comprehensive refurbishment and expansion we are looking for."

Copenhagen Airports A/S also revealed plans to convert the airport's large tax-free store into a walk through shop in conjunction with the establishment of a new central security checkpoint next year.

Busch said: "It is decisive for us that the passengers have a good experience in connection with the new central security point. But it is equally important that they are presented to an attractive shopping environment with exiting shopping opportunities while at the same time the possibilities for orientation is improved."

The 2,900sq m (31,204sq ft) central store will open in summer 2007 and four satellite shops and an arrival outlet will also be refurbished.