Tappoo plans major retail investment at Fiji airports

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Fijian operator Tappoo Group has announced a F$5m ($2.6m) investment plan to upgrade its duty-free outlets, focusing on new space allocated to the retailer at Nadi International airport.

Fijian operator Tappoo Group has announced a F$5m ($2.6m) investment plan to upgrade its duty-free outlets, focusing on new space allocated to the retailer at Nadi International airport. The operator's existing general merchandise and souvenir outlets will also be renovated following the international terminal's recent expansion, carried out by Tappoo in partnership with Singaporean firm Neocorp.

Said Tappoo executive chairman Kanti Tappoo: ?We will embark on a major refurbishment to ensure we maintain our edge. We have a lot of confidence in Fiji and can see a clear growth trend. There is excellent scope for extending our business.?

The newly renovated terminal opened on June 20, in time for the South Pacific Games. Over 6,000 Pacific Islands athletes and their supporters bolstered passenger numbers in June, leading to a 11.4% month-on-month passenger increase. Key changes to the terminal include an increased retail area, remodelling of the arrivals and departures concourse and a new roof and skylights for the commercial concourse.

Tappoo, which operates stores at Suva's Nasouri International airport as well as three luxury department stores and boutiques in several Fijian resorts, reported that electronic systems at the terminal had been vastly improved during the renovation process, making check-in smoother and benefiting the airport's retail offer. ?Since people now have easy access to information about flight departures, they are more relaxed and have a longer dwell time in our stores,? said Tappoo.