Helsinki Airport has announced it will open a number of specialty stores, cafes and restaurants in the coming years, including Bulgari, Jimmy Choo, Chloé, champagne bar Helcin and the essence of Finland reflecting Cafe Koivikko.
The announcement follows the launch of a public procurement process last year by airport operator Finavia to find new retail operators for the largest international airport in Finland.
“We have conducted the procurement process very thoroughly. We were able to secure exactly the kind of concepts and brands that will suit our various customer groups and support the overall development of the airport,” said Nora Immonen, director for commercial services at Finavia.
The public procurement process covered 13 retail spaces with a total area of 1,081m2 (11,635ft2). Of the retail spaces, 12 are new and are located in the new terminal section serving long-haul flights, or non-Schengen traffic, at Helsinki Airport. One of the retail spaces is in the terminal section that currently serves European and domestic flights (the Schengen area).
WDFG Helsinki Oy, a Dufry Group member that already operates 11 shops at the Helsinki Airport, was selected as the operator for the luxury and high-quality product categories. During 2019, retail outlets for Timebox and Urban Attitude, as well as shops selling high-quality sunglasses, watches and jewelry will be opened at the airport. Dufry will open retail outlets for the international luxury brands Bulgari, Jimmy Choo, Chloé, Coach and Longchamp in 2020-2021.
Fred Creighton, Dufry’s divisional CEO for UK and Central Europe, commented, “We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract to operate premium shopping outlets at Helsinki airport. This is an exciting time for the airport as it enters this phase of transformation and we are proud to be part of what is the largest construction and redevelopment project in its history. We look forward to playing our part by adding new features to the world-class shopping experience, which will be enjoyed by the millions of passengers who use the airport each year.”
SSP Finland was selected as the operator for the four new cafés and restaurants and will open champagne bar Helcin, the tearoom Oh My, it’s tea time, which boasts a high-quality tea selection, and Café Koivikko, a café with a very Finnish concept. There will also be a juice bar called Helsinki Smoothery, which will serve fresh smoothies and juice.
“We’re delighted to have won this latest tender and are looking forward to working with Finavia to expand and strengthen our existing F&B operations at Helsinki Airport,” said Pia Jormanainen, managing director at SSP Finland. “These latest openings have been designed to meet the needs of all passengers traveling through Finland’s largest airport – whether they are celebrating the start of their holidays with a glass of champagne or looking to refuel with a healthy and nutritious meal before their next flight.”
The procurement process has been the most extensive competitive bidding process related to the retail spaces being constructed in the non-Schengen area of Helsinki Airport.
Immonen commented, “We are very happy with the operators that were selected. The customer experience and its enhancement are at the heart of all our operations and development efforts, and thanks to the new shops, brands, restaurants and cafés, we can offer an even wider selection of services to both our Finnish and our international passengers.
“As our airport continues to develop, we will make the shopping and restaurant world even more versatile for our customers, with more diversity in where and what to eat and more local specialties to shop.”
Finavia is currently carrying out a €1bn (US$1.13bn) development program at Helsinki Airport. The aim of the program is to strengthen the position of Helsinki Airport both in the international competition between airports and as a significant airline hub between Europe and Asia.