Tallink reveals retail plans for two new vessels

Estonian ferry operator Tallink is to add 2,200sq m (23,672sq ft) to its retail estate in spring with two new vessels on routes between Tallinn and Helsinki. MS Baltic Princess will replace cruise ferry MS Galaxy, while MS Superstar will join MS Star on Tallink Shuttle super-fast service between the two cities.

 

Baltic Princess (pictured below) will boast 1,200sq m (12,912sq ft) of retail space, comprising a 700sq m (7,532sq ft) travel-retail shop, a 300sq m (3,228sq ft) fragrances and cosmetics store and a 200sq m (2,152sq ft) children’s and gifts shop. Tallink Duty Free Sales purchasing director Magnus Skjörshammer explained that the retail offer is similar to that on board Galaxy, but with slightly more space.

He told DFNIonline: “It is slightly bigger but very similar [to Galaxy]. We are working to the same concept as we have been for about two years now, which involves a lot of cooperation with brand owners about personalised space.”

 

Galaxy is being reassigned to the duty-free Turku-Stockholm route, with changes to its retail offer to accommodate the change from duty-paid to duty-free sales. And MS Festival, which previously sailed the Turku-Stockholm route, is being moved to the Stockholm-Riga route.

 

Superstar (pictured below)  is Tallink’s first ferry designed in Italy, by interior designers Carlo Ciribi and Alessandro Cestaro, who also designed the fast ferry’s shops. The vessel, which has the capacity to carry 2,080 passengers on the two-hour crossing, will feature a 612sq m (6,585sq ft) tax-free shop, a 272sq m (2,927sq ft) beauty shop and a 116sq m (1,248sq ft) children’s and gifts shop.

Skjörshammer said that traffic had been very strong on the new fast link between Tallin and Helsinki, particularly with high-spending business class passengers, and that the introduction of Superstar would boost capacity on the route and drive further retail sales.