Fraport Twin Star Airport Management has granted Avolta the exclusive Master Retail Concession airside at Burgas and Varna airports, Bulgaria’s second and third busiest airports.
The contract extension builds on Avolta’s collaborative ten-year travel retail partnership with Fraport Twin Star Airport Management in Bulgaria. From January 2024, Avolta will begin to add six new retail stores across Burgas and Varna airports, while also making refurbishments to the ten stores in its existing portfolio.
At Varna Airport, and in a first for Bulgaria, Avolta will introduce mind.body.soul., a concept designed to address increasing demand for healthier and more sustainable products, and Candyfair, another new concept offering toys and confectionery in a fun, immersive environment. Other highlights include the transformation of Bulgarian Bazaar into the Taste of Varna and Taste of Burgas concepts. The new Avolta walkthrough stores feature tasting bars in the liquor sections, enabling travellers to stop, taste and interact with products.
Luis Marin, president and CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa, Avolta, said: “We are honoured to be awarded the Master Retail Concession by Fraport Twin Star Airport Management, making us the exclusive air-side retailer at Varna and Burgas airports. Besides thanking the airport, I also want to thank the teams that contributed to this winning proposal. In line with our Destination 2027 strategy, we are determined to redefine how travellers perceive airports, shifting them from places to kill time, to places to spend time.”
Marin added: “Another key priority for Avolta is to foster a sense of place for travellers. In the refurbishment and expansion of our walkthrough stores, we have incorporated interior design elements that pay homage to the local cities and heritage. Native red Bulgarian roses form striking sculptural pieces in our ‘Taste Of’ concepts, and wooden wagons elegantly showcase local products. These deliberate design choices, combined with a wide array of local delicacies, spirits, cosmetics, and souvenirs, invite travellers to immerse themselves in each city’s essence and to take a little piece of the local culture with them on their journey.”
As part of the contract win, Avolta will also introduce a Hudson convenience store and an electronics and travel accessories temporary store to each airport. The new configuration, which sees Avolta increase its total retail footprint by 630m² to more than 2,700m², will be implemented in two phases, with all developments expected to be completed by summer 2025.
