Duty Free Stores loses out to Aussie competitor

Duty Free Stores New Zealand has lost the tender to open shop at Christchurch International Airport to Australian-based JR Duty Free.

In November, the company announced it was expanding its chain of stores to Queensland and Rotorua and planned to tender for the Christchurch position.

Duty Free Stores New Zealand finance manager Aaron Jago said the company was obviously disappointed it had lost the tender to JR Duty Free.

“We had a unique duty free offer but we plan to continue to grow our business with a focus on online sales in New Zealand. Online is a key growth strategy,” Mr Jago said.

“We had a very good December [for online sales]. We had our best weekend ever pre-Christmas. Passenger like the ease of the internet and the cost competitive [products].”

JR Duty Free will open two new stores in the international terminal at Christchurch airport. A Canterbury theme is being planned for the stores. They are expected to be completed around the beginning of October.

Airport commercial development manager Julie-Ann Beattie said the terminal was being upgraded to accommodate visitors to the city for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

“Airport planning looks many years into the future, and we are confident this development takes us in the right direction to cater for our growing number of international travellers.

“Redevelopment of our international areas will be complete by late 2010, providing an enhanced level of service well in advance of the two major events for this city in 2011 – the International Paralympic Games and the Rugby World Cup.

“The redevelopment of Christchurch’s duty free offering will provide 865 sq m of duty free retail space in International Airside Departures, and 546sq m in International Airside Arrivals, both due for final completion in October. 

"In addition there is the existing 100sqm duty free store in International Landside Departures,” Ms Beattie said.