Prague Airport has launched operations of a new commercial zone at Terminal 2 featuring a total of 2,200 sq.m. The new area, located right after the security checkpoint, comprises six retail units and a self-service restaurant with a sit-down area. A children’s corner is to follow shortly. As a complex solution, a part of the Terminal 2 Departure Hall’s non-restricted area in front of the security checkpoint will be used for service desks and a waiting area for passengers with disabilities. The new commercial zone project is the airport’s response to a growing number of passengers and represents the biggest expansion of the Terminal 2 retail space since its launch of operations.
“In line with the airport’s long-term strategy, the new Terminal 2 commercial zone will help Prague Airport meet the demand of an ever-growing number of passengers, include a new and interesting range of products on offer, provide passengers with a wider selection and, last but not least, increase their comfort while shopping and dining,” Václav Řehoř, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said.
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The commercial zone features six shops in total, including three fashion boutiques under the name of The Fashion Place, a Rituals cosmetics shop, a mono-brand shop offering Italian handbags by Coccinelle and a Hamleys toy shop. The restaurant promoting a unique market concept is run by the Swiss Marché International chain, which already operates two venues in Terminal 1.
“We are glad to have been able to participate in creating a new commercial zone at Terminal 2. The selection of garments and accessories carried by The Fashion Place shops was tailored to the specific needs of Terminal 2 travellers. Together with Rituals, it will appropriately complement the existing Terminal offers,” Richard Procházka, Lagardère Travel Retail Czech Republic CEO, said. Products by Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren and Superdry are among the premium brands carried by The Fashion Place shops; many under special deals compared to offers of Prague city-centre shops.
“The new Hamleys shop opened at Václav Havel Airport Prague is the first shop of its kind in Central Europe and we are delighted to be opening it in Prague, of all places. The Travel Format primarily differs from our classic shops in the selection of products carried. Despite the size of the shop, the Hamleys Travel Format preserves the unique atmosphere of Hamleys’ shops, where fun begins and never ends,” Daniel Chytil, Hamleys Director of Operations, said.
“We are immensely pleased that we now have our third restaurant at Václav Havel Airport Prague. The Marché Mövenpick and Zigoliny restaurants let travelers taste meals made from fresh ingredients prepared directly in front of them. Thanks to the exclusive use of top-notch ingredients, we allow our customers to enjoy the simplicity of a good meal. Fresh and healthier – that’s how we see it,” Hermann Ircher, Marché International CCO, said.
The number of business units at Prague Airport has risen to 114 with the new shops and the restaurant. The lessees of the new spaces were selected in an open tender called in November 2017. The quality and range of services and products, the shop design, the applicant’s experience and references were the main criteria for selecting the new leaseholders. The rent offered only constituted 1/3 of the decision-making formula.
“It will continue to remain our strategy within the non-aviation business segment to provide the broadest and the most appealing offer of services and goods, while maintaining passenger comfort at a high level. This will, however, involve both construction and technological advancements at the airport. That is one of the reasons we have been implementing the airport’s long-term development plan. Alongside other aspects, it involves new non-aviation business segment development options,” added Václav Řehoř.
The commercial zone is a result of the reconstruction and expansion of a part of the central transit corridor with the original Terminal 2 security checkpoint. The construction commenced in July 2018 and never restricted the operations of the Terminal building. The final inspection of the new commercial zone main area was performed in December 2018. The investment costs covering the construction and the space expansion are around CZK 65 million.
