T2 To Create 400 Retail Jobs

Four hundred new retail jobs are being created with the opening of Terminal Two at Dublin Airport later this year.

T2, which will open in November, will contain almost 40 separate outlets, with a range of new shops, restaurants, and bars located in the terminal. The new outlets, most of which will be operated by third parties, will create at least 400 new full-time positions.

The majority of the new jobs will be created by retail concessionaires, but the DAA’s direct retail offering, which focuses on perfume and cosmetics and liquor and tobacco, will also expand into T2. All of the new retail outlets will operate under the Loop, which is the DAA’s new name for airport shopping.

The DAA is also pleased to announce the first tranche of preferred bidders for T2’s retail outlets: giftware specialists House of Ireland, bookseller WHSmith, Irish fashion group Azure, Swiss jewellery retailer Swatch Group, and cosmetics company Jo Malone.

These five retailers will be joined by about 25 other operators in T2 when the new terminal opens in November. Further announcements in relation to the retail offer in Terminal Two will be made shortly. The DAA will also be retaining a full retail offer within Terminal One at Dublin Airport and a number of new outlets are also earmarked for T1.

“Retail is an integral element of the modern airport experience and Terminal Two will offer passengers a comprehensive choice of outlets,” said Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) Retail Director Paul Neeson.

The awarding of retail contracts for Terminal Two is the culmination of an international tender process that started last year with road shows in Dublin and London that drew almost 300 retailers. “Despite the downturn, there has been huge interest in T2’s retail space and we are delighted to have secured an impressive portfolio of Irish and international retailers,” Mr Neeson added.

The main retail area within T2 will be the international departures lounge, which will be a bright modern space with views over the airfield and beyond. “We have listened to the views of passengers and are confident that the retail experience in the new terminal will appeal to both Irish consumers and visitors alike,” Mr Neeson added.  T2 will contain about 9,000 sq metres of retail and food and beverage outlets. The DAA’s income from retail activity at Dublin Airport helps subsidise passenger charges at the airport.

The retail contracts for T2 have been awarded following a competitive tender process and each of the new companies has agreed to pay the DAA a concession fee based on a percentage of annual sales rather than a fixed annual rent. “This system allows the DAA and its retail partners to effectively share the risk, as unlike traditional landlords, we do not charge a fixed annual rent,” Mr Neeson said.

Almost 70% of passengers make some purchase as they travel through Dublin Airport and for more than one third of passengers airport shopping is a seen as a core element of their trip. Buying gifts, treating oneself and accessing offers that are unavailable downtown are the main reasons why people shop at Dublin Airport.

For further information contact:
Paul O’Kane, Tel  353 1 8141897, 353 86 609 0221
Siobhan Moore, Tel  353 1 8144108, 353 87 271 0065

Pictures to follow from Photocall Ireland, 353 1 874 7124

Note to Editors

Azure
Azure is a new retail operation owned by Acappella, an Irish fashion agency and distributor that is now entering the retail market. Established in 1998, and headquarter in Kenmare, Co Kerry, Acappella distributes 15 international brands to more than 350 Irish outlets. Its new Azure store in Terminal Two will be the company’s first move into direct retail.

House of Ireland
House of Ireland is one of Ireland’s leading retailers of Irish and international luxury giftware, clothing, jewellery and accessories. A family business established in 1975, it showcases Irish designed and internationally recognised brands such as Waterford Glass, John Rocha, Belleek, Newbridge, Tipperary, and Louise Kennedy.  It carries a range of well-known Irish fashion designers and a select number of European fashion designers, while its jewellery draws inspiration from Irish heritage and contemporary design.

Jo Malone
Jo Malone was established more than 20 years ago when Jo Malone began making facial treatments for her clients. Her first fragrance was designed as a gift for clients and was so popular that the Jo Malone brand was born. Its first store opened in 1994 and the company now has almost 30 stores in the UK and Ireland. The DAA operates Jo Malone’s hugely successful outlet in Terminal One at Dublin Airport and will also run its new T2 store.

Swatch Group
Swatch Group owns 19 international watch brands. Its Tech-Airport subsidiary, which will operate the Dublin Airport store, has almost 30 outlets. Swatch Group’s T2 store will stock watch brands such as Omega, Tissot, Tiffany & Co, Longines, and Mido, and Hamilton.

WHSmith
WHSmith currently operates more than 1,000 stores in the UK and a number of other European locations, and is due to open units at Delhi Airport later this year. It has more than 565 high street stores and 490 retail units in airports, railway stations, hospitals, workplaces and motorway service areas. WHSmith sells a wide range of newspapers, magazines, stationery, books and confectionery products, with WHSmith Travel tailoring its offer to meet the needs of people on the move.