Branded cool for Bangalore airport

Branded cool for Bangalore airport
Deccan Herald

With names of global repute backing it, the retail and duty-free space at the upcoming Bangalore International Airport in Devanahalli holds promise as a top-of-the-line shopping haunt.

International shopping experience, for the international traveller. The idea, perhaps, is yet to cut ice with many Indian airport promoters, but the positive change could surface in Bangalore.

With names of global repute backing it, the retail and duty-free space at the upcoming Bangalore International Airport in Devanahalli holds promise as a top-of-the-line shopping haunt.

The Nuance Group, in a Joint Venture with retail leader Shoppers’ Stop, will operate the retail and duty-free space at the greenfield airport, that is set for an April 2008 opening.

Nuance India Pvt Limited will develop retail and duty-free space in the domestic as well as international terminals at the airport, while Shoppers’ Stop will develop the retail space in the domestic departure. The airport concession is Nuance’s first in India.

The duty-free space will measure 1,800 sq m, with 550 sq m dedicated to arrival duty-free shopping. The domestic retail space, to be managed by Shoppers’ Stop, will measure 1,400 sq m.

“The awarded spaces will stand up to any international airport in respect to size, accessibility, look, shopping environment, assortment, pricing and customer service,” Mr Carlo Bernasconi, Executive Vice-President (Business Development and Strategic Marketing), Nuance Group AG, told Deccan Herald.

Final space approved

The retail space in the international terminal is expected to house five stores selling global brands, one of them the 550 sq m arrival store. The final space has been approved by the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and detailed planning work on the retail space is at present on.

“It is our aim to obtain all required permission within the coming months and upon having received all of them, to start the physical work on site. All retail spaces will be ready for test operation by early next year,” Mr Bernasconi said.

The Switzerland-based Nuance Group operates around 340 shops across 57 airports and 17 countries. The group has developed and created top-line airports including Changi, Heathrow and Frankfurt.

BIAL will also assign two mono-brand outlet operators in the domestic departure and two retail mono-brand outlet operators in the international departure, as well as landside retail outlets on the curbside.