Airports' new duty-free set to open

The Australian retailer taking over from Regency Duty Free at Auckland and Wellington airports opens for business on Wednesday.

Family-owned James Richardson Duty Free won the contract to operate at Auckland after the Commerce Commission warned the airport company that its plan to have only one operator could breach competition law.

Auckland Airport announced last year that Regency would go when its contract ran out, which would have left DFS Galleria as its only duty-free operator.

Regency won the sole Wellington contract in 2006, but has now sold out to James Richardson.

John Eady, New Zealand country manager, said that as soon as James Richardson opened it would begin extensive renovation programmes at both airports.

It would continue Regency's online duty-free shopping service.

James Richardson planned to be nimble with its pricing and would offer packages of deals rather than single-price discounts.

It was also looking at bringing in new international brands and was talking with the airports about offering boutique concept stores.

"We've got some special projects under way and they'll become apparent during the course of the renovations," he said.

The stores also aimed to offer superior service to bring back "the glamour and excitement of travel".

In Australia James Richardson Corporation operates duty-free stores at major airports plus 25 off-airport outlets.

It also has nine stores at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, two border crossing and two port shops in the region. It sells duty free on cruise ships and two international airlines and deals in furniture, fabric and property.