| Here is some good news for frequent travellers. Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has appointed the joint venture between Aldeasa and former state monopoly India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC) to operate retail at the airport under a three-year contract.
Aldeasa and ITDC will occupy a 1,355sq m (14,580sq ft) departures store and a 700sq m (7,530sq ft) arrivals store at the airport. Their move will be greatly aided by the fact that ITDC is the incumbent at the stores, and the ease of switch over is likely to have been a key factor in the airport's decision. The contract commences in June, which would have left a new retailer only a short time to occupy the premises.
Others on the shortlist included Alpha Future (joint venture between UK based Alpha Airports Group and Future Group subsidiary Pantaloon Retail), DFS Group, Dufry Group (with local partner InterGlobe) and The Nuance Group (with Shoppers' Stop).
Grupo Aldeasa, global leader in souvenir, novelty and gift items, apart from duty-free business, has tied up with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)on a 50:50 basis for providing consultancy for three speciality souvenir outlets, apart from duty-free shops at airports across the country.
It will bid for duty-free outlets across Indian airports besides providing management and branding consultancy for the souvenir shops. The Madrid-based group may later look at investments through the single-brand FDI route.
The Aldeasa-ITDC joint venture for duty-free items would not be restricted to India alone. Markets under consideration include south Asia and countries like Mauritius and Fiji which have a sizeable ethnic Indian population.
In the meanwhile, the duty free contract for the Delhi Airport has been awarded by the Delhi Airport Authority Ltd. (DIAL) to Alpha Future. The contract will run for a period of 3.25 years and the value will be at least Rs.500 crores (US$115m). The Alpha future duty free shops will run one outlet in Arrivals and four in Departure with a covered area of 8000 sq. ft.
Hopefully, these ventures will provide a good variety ofr wines at different price points from the globe for our international travelling viewers.
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