RETAIL NEWS

Diamond sunglasses at David Clulow
Terminal 5 'luxury' stores
Innovative Thomas Pink store
'Bespoke' service from Tie Rack
Guide dog sponsored at Heathrow
Traditional British fare for Terminal 5
First European store for Coach

Diamond sunglasses at David Clulow
27 February 2008

     Gold frames enhanced with diamonds are amongst the unique items planned for the Terminal 5 store of David Clulow, the luxury sunglasses retailer, it announced.
      Exclusively available to the terminal, BA passengers will be able to browse through the ranges of solid gold frames from the likes of luxury designers Bvlgari, Oliver Peoples and Cartier.  
      The limited edition offering from Bvlgari will include gold optical frames finished with diamonds, alongside the Tom Ford Vintage collection and Oliver Peoples diamond ‘Aero’ Aviators available for the first time in travel retail.
      Travellers can also choose from high quality frames, with a prescription service available. Sunglasses can then be collected on the return journey, using the Shop & Collect service offered by BAA within the EU. Alternatively, arrangements can be made to send orders directly to the customer’s home for when they return from their travels.      “We are delighted to be show-casing some unique products at Terminal 5 and have designed our store to the very highest standard in order to compliment the exclusive luxury brands that are on offer" said Ayis Virides, Sunglasses Director at David Clulow.

Terminal 5 'luxury' stores
13 February 2008

    A line-up of luxury international stores has been announced for Terminal 5 confirming its position as a “new and exciting retail environment”, says BAA.
    Bulgari, Gucci, Prada and Christian Dior will be appearing in the new terminal when it opens in March this year. All of the shops will bring a very unique factor to their Terminal 5 shop, whether it be vintage jewellery in Bulgari, or the new Gucci flagship design, says the airport owner
    “Specifically designed for Terminal 5, the Bulgari store will offer a boutique-style shop housing a range of watches, leather goods and accessories.  The Italian luxury brand will showcase its jewellery collection alongside vintage pieces never before found in travel retail.  Exclusive to Terminal 5 will be a pendant specifically designed for the opening.
    “In addition to Bulgari, passengers on their travels may be inspired by the heritage of Christian Dior.  The store will be an elegant and chic blend of modern and 18th century design, showcasing a complete range of accessories.   From handbags to shoes and fine jewellery, the store will offer something for everybody.
     One of the most influential names in fashion, Prada, will also be opening in Terminal 5.  The store will offer both men’s and women’s accessories and a selection of ready-to-wear pieces.
      Iconic fashion label Gucci completes the luxury line-up for the new terminal.  This will be the first location in Europe with the new Gucci flagship design. Passengers are provided with a luxurious environment in which to explore Gucci’s exquisite collection of handbags, footwear and accessories” says a BAA statement.

Innovative Thomas Pink store
21 November 2007

    A business bar, where customers get a chance to check the latest FTSE details whilst sipping mineral water, is to be incorporated into a new Thomas Pink store due to open in Terminal 5.
    The retailer, which specialises in shirts, says they have created a “new store environment” especially which for Terminal 5.
    Aside from the ‘pink business  bar’ there will be a number of exclusive products.
    “The store has been specifically conceived and created to provide an express shopping experience, allowing passengers to drop in, pick out a perfect shirt and catch their flight with the maximum convenience. They can choose to take their purchase with them or have it delivered to their home so it’s waiting for them when they get back from their trip”, said a statement from  the company.

'Bespoke' service from tie rack
14 November 2007

    Tie Rack is to depart from its traditional product when it opens a new store in Terminal 5  with a ‘bespoke’ tie-making section.
    The retailer says that its store will have a “contemporary feel” and bring in a number of innovative elements, including a british-themed accessories section and totally separate sections for male and female accessories.
    “With a bespoke Italian tie-making service – an airport first for the retailer –Tie Rack aims to provide the sophisticated Terminal 5 traveller with a service they will not be able to experience at any of their other global outlets” says a statement from the company.
    “Catering for different sizes, colours and patterns, passengers will be able to create a bespoke tie that truly reflects their own style, monogrammed with their initials”.
     The new store will also be the first to exhibit 'future forward' accessories with a travel theme chosen by a panel of trend experts to include Head of Fashion and Fashion Accessories at BAA, Hazel Curry. These will be designed exclusively by future fashionistas from London’s Central St Martins fashion school.    
     “We are excited to be part of a completely new airport travel experience. The new concept store layout promotes dialogue between staff and customers providing areas that encourage demonstration and interaction. Highly visible visual elements of the store are subject to frequent change, providing an opportunity to present fresh imagery and products to the customer.” Said Sara Carter, Marketing Director at Tie Rack.

Guide Dog sponsored at Heathrow
15 August 2007

     World Duty Free is to sponsor a puppy as part of a programme to support the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
     It will be chosen in the next few weeks and the retailer will be involved in all aspects of its life – from puppy walking stage to advanced training
     World Duty Free will be launching a competition amongst its staff to choose a name befitting its puppy, something simple – as all Guide Dogs’ names have no more than two syllables. 
     Staff will also have the opportunity to keep up to date with their puppy’s progress through regular ‘pupdates’ which will be distributed via internal communications and publications.
     The animal will be sponsored as part of the Association’s Diamond Dogs corporate sponsorship scheme.
     Mark Riches, MD of World Duty Free said:.  We greatly admire the work that Guide Dogs does and think that the Diamond Dogs scheme is inspired.  I am personally very much looking forward to meeting our puppy and watching his progress.”    
     Jessica Stickland, Corporate Fundraiser at Guide Dogs said: We receive virtually no Government funding and so rely on generous donations and sponsorship such as this to fund what is essentially a life-transforming service for those with sight loss.”
     Apart from animals in transit, guide and hearing dogs are the only dogs allowed inside the airport terminals.
NOTE: Heathrow has a long association with Guide Dogs for the Blind and in 2001 we recorded a Labrador puppy in training in Terminal 2. To see this video click here...

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Traditional British fare for Terminal 5
12 August 2007

     A new restaurant which puts the emphasis on traditional British foods will form an integral part of the eating experience at Terminal 5 when  it opens next year.
     Huxleys bar and restaurant say that they are taking traditonal British food back to its roots and offering good quality food with a high standard of basic ingredients and great flavours.
     It’s menu will source local produce where possible and offer items such as kedgeree, kiln smoked Scottish salmon , steak and kidney pudding, ploughman’s lunch, classic sandwiches and grilled steaks. Traditional puddings such as syrup sponge and spotted dick are available along with British breakfast and afternoon tea.
     Graham Turner, CEO of Tragus, the restaurant’s owners, said: “Huxleys Bar & Kitchen is an exciting new British concept designed to appeal to all Anglophiles in an international environment. It will allow customers to try a wide range of British favourites, from the traditional Great British breakfast to syrup sponge pudding. We are delighted to be able to showcase our new brand at this prestigious development.”

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First European store for Coach
18 June 2007

    Coach, a leading American brand of leather goods and other accessories, is to open its first European store in Heathrow’s Terminal 5. 
    The new outlet will incorporate a number of unique design elements specially commissioned for the terminal including art deco inspired lighting and an exclusively designed marble floor. The new store will feature a full assortment of handbags including Limited Edition collections, sun wear, watches, scarves and small leather goods.
    For more than sixty-five years, Coach has been a classic part of the landscape of American design. Founded as a family-run workshop in a Manhattan loft, six artisans handcrafted a collection of leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation. Today, Coach is a $2.4 billion company offering chic and fashionable products. 
    Colin Hargrave MD of BAA Retail, said, “We are delighted that Terminal 5 will play host to Coach’s first European store. By mixing cutting-edge store design and exclusive collections, Coach is well positioned to deliver on our ‘5 Promises’ to the customer; surprising, satisfying and tempting them, whilst also respecting and simplifying the shopping experience.”