Member Article

Scandinavian retailer celebrates sales success at Newcastle Airport

A Scandinavian retail giant is celebrating after its pilot UK store completed a successful first year at Newcastle International Airport and announced a huge increase in sales.

Airport Fashion, which was opened in April 2012 by Airport Retail Group (ARG), reported that last month’s sales were 67 per cent higher than the same period last year.

ARG, which is renowned in its home country of Norway and across Northern Europe for offering high quality fashion brands at prime airport locations, chose Newcastle as the first stop in its plan to roll out Airport Fashion outlets in the UK.

Located airside at Newcastle International Airport, the Airport Fashion store boasts high-end clothing brands including Hugo Boss, Eton, Tommy Hilfiger and Gant, and is aimed at executive travellers and families.

It also stocks exclusive lines from Norwegian designer labels Lacrosse and Long Island, as well as a wide selection of travel accessories, and recently clinched a deal to sell menswear by iconic UK brand Hackett.

Steven Fallon, business development manager at Airport Fashion, said: “It has been an exciting first year for Airport Fashion, and we have proved hugely popular with shoppers at the airport. The increase in sales we’ve experienced has been fantastic.

“We offer a unique retail concept at Newcastle International Airport, with style-conscious business and family travellers attracted to the store by the high quality clothing and accessory lines we stock, and the welcoming environment we’ve created here.

Axel Edström, purchase manager at ARG, said: “We chose to open our first UK store in Newcastle International Airport as research has shown that the North East population reflects the demographic of the rest of the UK.

“The store has been invaluable in helping ARG gain further knowledge of the UK market and in shaping the concept to meet the demands of British customers.

“We are delighted with the performance of our Newcastle venture and are looking forward to seeing even more success for Airport Fashion.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Ford .