The retail space is undergoing a complete strip out of all original fixtures and fittings, in order to bring it up to date with current brand standards, and forms part of a redevelopment scheme for the entire retail offering within Terminal 5.
Work commenced on site in June 2014, and is being carried out in phases, in order to minimise disruption to trading conditions. The entire project will be complete towards the end of 2015 and will relaunch as World Duty Free Group’s flagship store.
The retail areas incorporating the food and liquor offerings were completed on the 5th of December and were broken into three phases. Phase One involved the confectionery offering for well-known brands such as Godiva, Lindt and Twinning’s and incorporating a new Fortnum and Mason tasting bar.
Phase 2 was for an area for the tills and audio visual, while Phase 3 is specifically for the liquor brands and now includes a cutting-edge liquor destination bar. Technology and programming enable it to be instantly re-branded through LED screens, to offer the most popular product, according to the major destinations being commuted to at a particular time of day.
Phase 4 consists of a pop-up area, highlighting different products and promotions on a changeable basis, while Phase 5, which launched on the 14th of December, houses luxury brands that include Mac, Benefit, Jo Malone, Bobbi Brown and Keihls among others. This area currently consists of temporary fixtures, as each of the luxury brands are carrying out their own refitting, to be in line with their own brand requirements.
The entire project is not without its challenges. As one of the world’s busiest airports, it is essential to restrict all work so that it commences when the last flight has taken off, i.e. at 10:30 pm at night, and the space needs to be clear of any sign of construction in time for the next flow of passengers at 4am. Strict management of schedules and time frames, and careful control of works by our Project Managers is paramount to the ongoing success of this project.
For more information on our work with World Duty Free Group, please click here.
