Paul Wholesale renews at AFNORTH Brunssum

Gavin Lipsith

Print Article E-Mail Article E-Mail Author

The Dutch retailer and wholesaler retains its contract to operate Shop 2000 at the NATO base

Paul Wholesale has renewed its contract to operate a 750sq m (8,070sq ft) store at the regional headquarters of Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH) in Brunssum in the Netherlands. The company, which has operated its Shop 2000 outlet at the base for five years, will now stay on until 2010, with an option to extend the contract after that period.

The store sells everything from traditional duty-free merchandise to household goods and kitchen appliances, Paul Wholesale director Cees Visser told RavenFox.com, "even toothbrushes".

"The contract allows us to sell all categories of product," said Visser, "so we will stock whatever the client wishes as long as it is economical for us."

Visser added that cigarettes are the biggest selling products at AFNORTH Brunssum, with Marlboro and Imperial Tobacco's Brit brands leading the way. Liquor products are the second favourite, with cosmetics and fragrances growing rapidly.

The number of troops serving on the base is classified, said Visser, although it is home to NATO and allied troops from more than 20 nationalities.