Swizzle tops crucial Changi confectionery bid

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Incumbent operator Swizzle has topped the bids for the pivotal chocolate, candy and delicatessen contract at Singapore Changi airport terminal one.

The operator offered a monthly minimum guarantee of S$628,800 ($345,500), or S$7.5m ($4.1m) a year, ahead of DFS Venture Singapore's S$525,000 ($288,500). The tender was also notable for several new alliances for a Changi bid. Alpha Retail teamed up with local company SUTL, offering S$484,000 ($265,900) a month in guarantees, while Multi Trading and Supplies, combining Malaysia's DR Group and Weitnauer Singapore offered S$495,000 ($272,000). DR Group owns leading confectionery operator Chocolate Sales & Supplies. King Power International was the other bidder for the contract, which will be for three years with a two-year extension option.

Although Swizzle topped the bids, the airport authority insisted this did not mean it would be awarded the contract. Financial bids are being evaluated along with other criteria such as innovative retail concepts. Bids for another tender at Changi, for a computer store, were topped by Weitnauer. Forthcoming bids include a photographic equipment store and the crucial fragrances and cosmetics contract in terminal two, which closes next week.