WHSmith to open six retail stores at Sydney Airport T1...

WHSmith to open six retail stores at Sydney Airport T1 departures

Published: 16/03/15
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Melody Ng, Brands Editor & Asia Bureau Chief

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AUSTRALIA. Sydney Airport has announced WHSmith as the new travel essentials retail operator at T1 departures following a competitive tender process. The news, books and convenience retailer will open six outlets, with the first to commence operations in August.

The new larger format stores within T1 will introduce highly personalised product zones and feature a number of external shop-in-shop concepts from major brands. This will ensure that a wider range of products are available, within a space that enhances the overall passenger experience, the airport said.

“This is a real evolution from the traditional books and news operations and introduces a reinvigorated range of must-have travel product essentials that make every journey easier in a convenient one-stop shop,” said Sydney Airport General Manager Retail Glyn Williams.

“WHSmith is one of the world’s largest and most successful retail operators of travel essentials and we are looking forward to a successful partnership across the six locations in the T1 terminal,” he added.

WHSmith Australia CEO Paul Yardley said: “We are delighted to announce our new concept stores at Sydney Airport’s T1 as we continue to invest in creating market-leading retail experiences. This underscores our commitment to the Australian travel retail industry and our growth ambitions in this market.”

The transformation of T1 began in January, with works to be staged over the next year-and-a-half. The upgrades will deliver faster access and improved way-finding to airline gates, more seating capacity, wider walkways and enhanced terminal ambience.

Williams added that further announcements on new retail, food and dining partners at T1 will be made over the coming months.