Polish Airports has just closed the process to choose operators of retail and catering space in the part of the terminal which is currently being modernized. The most favourable bids in both cases have been submitted by HDS Polska sp. z o.o., which is part of Lagardère Services, a leading duty free & travel retail group. Under the contracts signed, the company will be the tenant of the retail  and catering outlets for a period of 10 years.

“The bidders had to present a coherent, comprehensive concept for the development of the commercial area in the new part of the terminal, both in terms of functionality and retail sales. HDS Polska submitted the best bids in both procedures, with the most innovative and attractive design of all outlets,” said Michał Marzec, director of Chopin Airport.

Once the work in the terminal has been completed, i.e. at the beginning of 2015, passengers will have an additional 3,000 sq. m of commercial space at their disposal, with 15 new shops.

Piotr Nalej, director of Chopin Airport Commercial Bureau said: “These will include typical duty free shops selling alcohol, cigarettes and cosmetics. Two will be run under the Aelia Duty Free brand, but with a wider range of products than the one so far. We will also open a new shop, Le Connaisseur, where customers will be able to buy – and sample – unique luxury alcohols and cigars.”

Other shops will offer new exclusive brands, such as: Victoria’s Secret, Ermenegildo Zegna, Emporio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo and Ralph Lauren. At Jubitom’s jewellery shop, customers will find a wide range of watches, including Tag Heuer, Longines, Rado, Ulysse Nardin and Carl F. Bucherer. As a novelty, there will also be an airport Samsung store, one of the few in the world, with the company’s latest products. Another new addition will be a big children’s clothes and toys shop with a choice of M&M’s sweets.

Customers are also in for a big change when it comes to the food offer. With an additional area of over 2,100 sq m, Chopin Airport will accommodate a long-awaited McDonald’s fast-food restaurant, as well as new coffee shops Espressamente Illy and McCafé, and one with an extended product offe – Bread &Co. There will also be two new restaurants: The Flame and Misa.

The Warsaw airport will also open a food court area with three catering outlets serving food ranging from fast food and Italian dishes to Polish cuisine. The outlets will have a single payment system, making it easy for passengers to order meals.

“The extended food offer, and especially the addition of the fast food dimension, is a response to the needs of our passengers, who hoped for more diversity at Chopin Airport” said Piotr Nalej.

The completion of work on the former Terminal 1 also means the re-opening of the observation deck, this time with a souvenir shop and a cafe.

Andrzej Kacperski, CEO of HDS Polska sp. z o. o. said: “We have worked with Chopin Airport for many years and further development of our fruitful cooperation is one of our strategic priorities in Poland. I am sure that once the new part of the commercial area opens, we will be able to offer passengers flying from Warsaw a unique experience they will appreciate, reaffirming Chopin Airport’s position as one of Central Europe’s leading airports”.

Source: Chopin Airport