ARI Wins Contract for Montenegro Duty Free Stores
Aer Rianta International (ARI), part of the daa Group that runs Dublin and Cork Airports, has been awarded the duty free retail concession at Tivat and Podgorica Airports in Montenegro. The contract will run for 5 years, with stores opening later this year. ARI will serve passengers from its exclusive 98.5 sqm duty free store in Tivat and from the 122 sqm duty free store in Podgorica, branded “Montenegro Duty Free”.
ARI will offer core categories; perfume and cosmetics, liquor and confectionery as well as an extensive selection of designer sunglasses and jewellery, both of which are very popular with the both the local Montenegrin traveller and tourists. Passengers can also experience the local ‘sense of place’ with a broad choice of local wine and locally produced foods and destination-branded souvenirs, gifts and toys.
Commenting on the announcement, ARI’s CEO, Ray Hernan said: “Our decision to open new stores at Tivat and Pogorica this year is a sign of the strength of our balance sheet. We are still committed to profitable growth over the longer-term and will invest in the Montenegro market for at least the next five years. It is also a sign of our commitment to the industry and our confidence that it will return to strength.”
The concept for the new stores is fresh, modern and tailored to the passenger profile at each airport, with the design for Tivat inspired by the beautiful coastal views and local scenery, appealing to the tourist passenger.
Commenting on the appointment of ARI, Executive Director of Airports of Montenegro, Danilo Orlandic said: “We at Airports of Montenegro are very pleased to be working with Aer Rianta International (ARI) as they venture into Montenegro for the first time, to operate the duty-free shops in both Podgorica and Tivat Airports. ARI, as the founder of the duty-free industry, has a long heritage of operating in new locations and working closely with partners in order to deliver a heightened and truly global standard of duty-free shopping experiences”.