New Duty-Free Operator Taps into Technology While Making Permanent Improvements
BOSTON, January 30, 2012 – AIRMALL® USA, developer of the leading airport concessions model in North America; and International Shoppes, the newly appointed duty-free operator at the AIRMALL at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), are tapping into cutting-edge technology to serve the discerning passenger while making permanent improvements to several concessions units. Three recently opened virtual duty-free stores in terminals B and E are enabling airline passengers to purchase liquor, tobacco and fragrances that are then packaged and hand-delivered to the gate.
“At AIRMALL Boston, we are pleased to be opening a new chapter in duty-free retail with the addition of International Shoppes as the designated operator. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is well documented, and we know they will take our duty-free offerings to new heights,” noted Michael Caro, vice president of AIRMALL Boston. “The virtual stores are a perfect example of the level of passenger engagement that travelers can expect. They are typically seen in other parts of the world such Europe and Asia, but while International Shoppes undertakes the task of updating and refreshing the permanent units here in Boston, they are ensuring that passengers can still purchase topshelf duty-free merchandise virtually since actual space is limited.”
The virtual stores are located in front of three barricades ranging in size from 20 to 50 feet that depict the duty-free goods available for purchase. Armed with tablet devices, associates at each virtual store can perform credit card transactions and can then arrange for gate-side delivery (up to 40 minutes prior to departure).
“At International Shoppes, we realize that accessibility and convenience are the keys to customer satisfaction, and that is particularly true during a transitional phase,” added Scott Halpern, vice president of International Shoppes. “We’re working closely with vendors such as William Grant and Sons, a liquor distributor, to transform what was a barricade into a revenue-generating operation that focuses on travelers’ needs while we work to provide new and more exciting stores.”
The permanent duty-free units are expected to open later this year.
Based in New York, International Shoppes became the new duty-free operator for the AIRMALL at BOS on January 1, 2012. The contract is for two stores on Terminal B and two stores on Terminal E.
AIRMALL Boston currently manages and develops the retail concessions program for Boston Logan International Airport in terminals B and E, which represents a total of 90,000 square feet of retail concession space. The AIRMALL at BOS includes more than 35 restaurants and bars, nearly 20 specialty retail units, 13 news & gift stores and a host of other services.