Images of the Day: Lagardère AWPL brings DutyFree@WLG brand to life in Wellington

Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.

NEW ZEALAND. Our latest choice of images comes from LagardèreAWPL, which on Friday (14 February) officially opened the first stores under its duty-free contract at Wellington Airport. As the photographs show, there is a strong emphasis on local brands from wine to chocolate to beauty.

A Lagardère Travel Retail LinkedIn post hailed the opening, saying: “We are thrilled to announce the official opening of DutyFree@WLG in the early hours of Friday morning.

“A huge thank you to our partners at Wellington Airport for their collaboration in bringing this vision to life. This new store is designed with travellers in mind – offering a seamless shopping experience, a fresh new look, and an elevated feel that complements the energy of Wellington Airport.

“This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our amazing teams [who] helped bring this vision to life – this passion and commitment is what makes it happen.

“We are thrilled for our passengers to explore the space and enjoy a world-class travel retail shopping experience as they travel through New Zealand’s capital.”

As reported, LagardèreAWPL will operate duty-free departures and arrivals shops and – through an extended partnership with the airport – new technology, gifting, eyewear and beauty concept stores. It will also transform its existing Relay travel essentials store.

The duty-free stores have begun the transition from previous incumbent Lotte Duty Free with the remaining sites to follow through the rest of the year.

The changes form part of an ambitious NZ$20 million (US$11.6 million) upgrade of Wellington Airport’s retail and hospitality sites.