Verona reveals new duty-free focus

Tina Milton

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Verona airport authority is planning to boost duty-free space and staff levels at the airport to grow non-aviation revenues

Airport authority Aeroporto Verona plans to double the space allocated to duty-free at Verona Valerio Catullo airport to 3,000sq m (32,280sq ft).

Commercial director Umberto Solimeno told RavenFox.com: "At the end of 2006 we will have completed the refurbishment of the existing terminal A with at least 1,500sq m (16,140sq ft) of new retail space." Solimeno said the authority was planning to launch a tender for the new space. Dufrital holds the current three-year duty-free contract, which expires in 2007.

Solimeno said duty-free sales in 2005 had been "poor" so far compared with 2004 levels. To date they have increased by between 5% and 10%. He said the sales levels were disappointing because of a lack of focus on non-aviation activities, but said the airport's strategy was to improve sales with extra space and a new focus on duty-free.

Stores at the airport include newspaper and bookshops, an optician, and food, liquor and sportswear outlets. It plans to introduce hairdressing services and a flower outlet in the coming months. The main spenders at the airport are from Italy, the UK and Russia.