Dan gets a fine surprise as he joins the race to Dubai

by Martin Moodie |
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Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie

Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.

My Blog asking for readers’ lists of their top five airport speciality stores attracted a great response from Abu Dhabi Airports Company Senior Vice President Commercial Dan Cappell (above).

Remember we’re offering several chances to win a ticket in Dubai Duty Free’s ‘Finest Surprise’ luxury car draw to the best contributions.

Here’s what Dan had to say: “Considering I have sold the BMW (was falling to bits) and have a hire car, the chance to win one with DDF is too good to be missed. Here’s my top 5, not in order of priority

1)  Les Clos Dubai International Airport Terminal 3:  Great ambience; superb range from great value table wine to rare vintages; very knowledgeable personnel; and excellent fit-out all combine to make it very easy to part with one’s cash !

2)   Choc Stop (Chocolate Sales & Supply), Kuala Lumpur International Airport: Dedicated confectionery outlet supported with great personalisation of fixtures creating an interactive fun experience for the customer, backed by great promotional campaigns and executions. A chocolate lover’s dream store.

3)   Thinking Barcelona, Barcelona El Prat Airport: “It is very difficult to get a destination souvenir shop that does not look like its full of ‘tack’. Thinking Barcelona delivers a wide range of merchandise to suit all pockets and has a real Sense of Place – a great portrayal of the Catalan capital.

4)  Artport, Auckland Airport: Not many airports have retail dedicated to artworks for sale. Artport exhibits a unique collection of New Zealand’s finest artworks, ranging from original oils, gouaches and water colours to outstanding screen prints and etchings.

5)  Uisge Beatha,  Larnaca Airport: Wow what a great innovative approach to the category in Cyprus. The shop has  a wide variety of brands directly from Scotland which are new to the region, supplemented by the mainstream and well-distributed international top names. A small selection of some of the new labels listed include Aberfeldy, Arran, Auchentoshan, Balblair, Bunnabhain, Benromach, Bruichladdich, Deanston, Edradour, Glen Grant, Glenrothes, Glencadam, Glen Garioch, Glengoyne, An Cnoc, Old Pulteney, Tobermory, Tomintoul and Tulliabardine. Fabulous, well-trained knowledgeable staff, dynamic fit-out and innovative promotional campaigns makes choosing (as appose to buying) complex.”

[Martin Moodie (left) with then CTC-ARI Airports Head of Retail & Marketing Martin Mullen in the Uisge Beatha boutique in May 2010]

“There are so many great concepts out there Martin but these are certainly some of my Top 5.”

As the first contributor, and given the quality of entry, Dan wins one of our tickets. Soon that hired Ford Fiesta might be a thing of the past as he roars around the UAE in his new McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8L (Volcano Orange), courtesy of Dubai Duty Free.

 

We’ve got four more chances left. All entries please by Wednesday 19 September to Martin@TheMoodieReport, marked ‘My Top 5′. You must work in the travel retail industry to participate.

Remember: what are your Top 5 airport speciality/standalone retail stores and why? Your nominations can include luxury brand stores, news & books, destination merchandise – anything really.

[Dan Cappell on an errant driving day]

  • Hi

    I am the owner/director of Artport and wold like to contact the author Dan Cappell.
    Thanks
    Mark Hopkinson

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