World Duty Free ends Global Airport Services venture

Gavin Lipsith

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The retailer is to wind down its partnership with Crossbar Associates while leaving the way open for possible future cooperation

World Duty Free managing director Mark Riches has confirmed that Global Airport Services (GAS), the retailer’s partnership with Steve Franklin, Randy Emch and Adrian Murray of Crossbar Associates, has been dissolved. Riches expressed disappointment that the venture had failed to secure a retail contract despite “quality conversations with some of the world’s most enlightened airport operators”, and said that the way had been left open for possible cooperation in the future.

The GAS venture was formed last year with the aim of providing airports with an alternative model to traditional airport retail contracts. The group discussed its long-term joint-venture approach with several major international airports including Vancouver and Sydney, although all eventually opted for a more traditional contract model with traditional concessionaires.

Riches said: “With our new owners, Ferrovial, we are refocusing the business on core activities. Regardless of that situation, we were already discussing with Steve, Randy and Adrian a more opportunistic approach to our relationship. The GAS model is something we all believe in and personally I'm convinced that it was a great alternative to the more traditional model. Steve, Randy and Adrian are true industry experts and have been great fun to work with. Who knows—we could well do business together at some point in the future."