May 2009
Lagardère Services has secured a deal to operate a multi-brand high-end fashion store at Sydney Airport terminal 1 as part of the $500 million upgrade and extension of Australia’s main international gateway. Due to open in October, the 250sqm shop-in-shop concept will showcase some of the world’s leading fashion and accessories brands: Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna, Salvatore Ferragamo, Etro, Tumi and Porsche Design.
The project is a result of close collaboration between Sydney Airport and the sister companies within the Lagardère Services group, Lagardère Services Asia Pacific and Aelia Group. Lagardère Services Asia Pacific is one of the best-established travel retailers in Australia. With 90 stores across the country, it has unrivalled knowledge of the local market, while Aelia’s 40 years of experience in duty-free and luxury goods retailing and close relationships with key brands brings further complementary strengths to the partnership.
Aelia Chairman and CEO Jean-Baptiste Morin said, “We are delighted to enter the Australian market at such a prestigious location and with such prestigious brands. We have a long and successful experience in retailing high-end fashion brands, and we are confident that the diverse mix of travellers at Sydney will find our selection of brands very appealing.”
“We are proud to have been able to develop a mix of brands tailored for Sydney Airport that combines well established brands in the Australian and travel markets with innovative and creative brands such as Etro, which will be making its debut in Australia. This is one of a number of fashion concepts we plan to deploy in travelretail around the world.”
Lagardère Services Asia Pacific has an established presence at Sydney’s international terminal through its well-recognised brands NewsLink, Discover (souvenirs), Purely Merino and Purely Australia (through its partnership with The Purely Group). The retailer will shortly open the world’s first Lonely Planet and Australia Made stores at Sydney.
General Manager Luc Mansion welcomed the addition of the high-end fashion boutique to the company’s portfolio of speciality brands in Australia. He said, “This is a very exciting new development for Lagardère Services Asia Pacific and we are delighted to extend our footprint at Sydney Airport. By working closely with Sydney airport’s retail team and with Aelia, we have been able to develop a concept that we believe is a perfect fit for a wonderful new retail environment in T1. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with our airport partners to provide innovative concepts that fit their customers’ needs.”
Sydney Airport Corporation Limited General Manager, Retail Derek Larsen said: “As part of the A$500 million upgrade and expansion of T1, our vision is to partner with those companies and brands who share our commitment to excellence and quality. Lagardère Services has been able to bring a selection of brands that aligns with this vision to deliver the best and we are particularly delighted to welcome brands that will make their debut in an Australian airport, or indeed in Australia itself. The concept will enhance the customer experience in T1 and complement the other big international brands present, including Emporio Armani, Burberry and Coach, in our new retail precinct – ‘The Forum’.”
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