Travel retailer, LS Retail, has been awarded one of two duty free concessions in the Airport’s International Terminal.

Aer Rianta International will run a second duty free concession at the airport.The pair take over the operation of the duty free stores from DFS and JR Duty Free, who will close their stores at the end of June.

As a result of the duty free tender, and other changes in specialty stores, Auckland Airport is expecting an additional $5 million in earnings before interest, tax and depreciation in the 2016 financial year.

LS Retail will install the latest version of its Aelia Duty Free concept at the international terminal, which has been tailored specifically for Auckland Airport, and will be rolled out for the first time in the region.

The Aelia store will stock big name brands in perfume and cosmetics, local wine, liquor, and souvenirs, among others.

The offer is based on the three pillars of the renewed Aelia Duty Free concept – ‘Here and Nowhere Else’, ‘Art of the Gift’, and ‘Facilitation and Care’.

LS Travel Retail Pacific’s CEO, Matthieu Mercier, said it is great to see the strategy for the expansion of LS’ duty free business reach a significant milestone with Auckland International Airport.

“The alignment, at the very early stages of the process between our vision for a renewed retail experience at Auckland Airport, enhanced by the new Aelia Duty Free concept and the airport’s ambition, has been nothing short of amazing,” said Mercier.

“Our goal now is to make it happen and to create fantastic duty free experiences that exceed passenger expectations, and I believe that our vision for Auckland Airport will achieve this and more. We are very excited to expand on our enduring partnership with Auckland Airport, and look forward to what the future will bring.”

The LS Travel Retail licence takes effect from July 1.