Dufry extends key Brazil contracts

Leading travel retailer Dufry has agreed long extensions to its duty free and duty paid contracts at both Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, and Tom Jobim International Airport, Rio de Janeiro.

Dufry CEO Julián Díaz is “very pleased” by the contract extension at Guarulhos

Dufry and Guarulhos (GRU) have signed an agreement extending both duty free and duty paid contracts to 2032. In addition, Dufry will operate around 2,300sqm of additional duty paid space, including a Dufry Shopping megastore at Terminal 2.

Dufry currently operates 26 duty free and 2 duty paid stores at the airport, plus 18 brand boutiques.

Guarulhos is the largest airport in South America handling 39 million passengers in 2015, of which 25 million were domestic travellers.

“We are very pleased about this new agreement with GRU Airport, who has been partnering with us since the beginning of their operations in 2012,” said Julián Díaz, CEO of Dufry Group.

“The extension of the contracts fosters our cooperation with GRU Airport and it is a great platform to further develop the business at this important hub. The extension is a great opportunity for Dufry in Brazil and reinforces our position in South America showcasing the strength of our company and our deep knowledge of travel retail, the Brazilian consumers and their preferences and habits.”

Meanwhile at Tom Jobim in Rio de Janiero, Dufry and RioGaleão have extended Dufry’s duty free contract to 2023 and the duty paid business to 2023.

As part of the agreement, Dufry will operate five new stores at the airport, totalling almost 7,000sqm.

The airport in Rio de Janiero is the second largest hub in Brazil, welcoming 17 million passengers in 2015, including four million international travellers.

Díaz commented: “We are very proud to extend the contracts with RioGaleão and to further expand our presence at Tom Jobim International airport.

“With these additional spaces and the next generation of store concepts, Dufry secures its presence in the Brazilian travel retail market. The increased commercial offering and the enlarged number of brands being featured, will contribute to further drive growth.”

In its first quarter results, Dufry saw its turnover leap 60% and a “gradual improvement” in Brazil as the real stabilised.