SHOPPING:
Historically Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport has been Lebanon’s primary gateway. Recognizing future commercial potential and passenger expectations, in 1996 the government of Lebanon invited international bidders for the management and operation of the Retail Sales Areas on a BOT basis at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The contract was awarded to Phoenicia-Aer Rianta Company S.A.L., a joined venture between Aer Rianta International-Middle East and Beirut-based Phoenicia Trading Afro Asia. Over the past year, Beirut Duty Free has undergone a complete overhaul. The Beirut Duty Free today is basically introducing European travel retail strategies and solutions to the Middle East. The operation now has a revamped main duty free area, with a total retail space at the airport amounting now over 4,500 square meters, including two arrivals shops measuring a total of 460 square meters. All passengers purchases are exempt of V.A.T. and Beirut Duty Free ensures that they really achieve this saving versus the domestic market.
Central Area - This is the central atrium area just after Immigration, featuring expansive high ceilings, views to the runway and a central rotunda where the new car area is housed along with the Beirut Duty Free customer service desk. Entirely consisted of steel and glass it is a thoroughly modern and striking design, incorporating large plasma screens for passenger information.
Beauty & Toys - Located on the west wing the new Beauty Store measures 350 square meters. It is totally customized by suppliers, with specially-designed below-the-line, high impact, promotional areas linked to external televisions for maximum impact. There is also a specially constructed make-up bar for "makeovers" by cosmetics companies, Most of the major cosmetic brands have already snapped up slots and are sending international makeup artists throughout the year. The Toy Store measures 100 sq m is strategically located beside the beauty store. It is based around a "Kid’s Castle" theme, with a huge amount of color. A significant amount of confectionery products (typically travel retail products aimed at the children’s market) are also merchandised side by side in the Toy Store.
Luxury Zone - The luxury zone comprises watches, jewellery, fashion and accessories and covers an area of 1,100 square meters. The fashion areas have been fully customized as shop-in-shop concepts with Lancel, ST Dupont, Rossetti, Givenchy, Smalto, Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin, Dior, Nina Ricci, Lalique, Wolford, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and Christian Dior. Fully-customized areas were also implemented for Swarovski, Zougheib Jewellery, Safilo (Sunglasses) and Bonja Group. The Watch department has been given pride of place toward the front of the area. The category features; Cartier, Omega, Baume & Mercier, Raymond Weil, Tissot, Longines, Rado, Tag Heuer, Philippe Charriol, Christian Dior, Facconable, Gucci, Bruno Banani, Montblanc, Omorfia, Michaela Frey, AT Cross and Misaki.
Electronics & Food - The Electronics shop covers 320 square meters and includes Duty Free Cell (cellular phones), the Middle East’s first Virgin Megastore and the PAC-controlled electronics and photography categories. This area has a distinctly hi-tech ambience with metal ceilings, a large amount of in-store screens including a 3 metre merchandising video wall. The Food Shop covers 250 sqm and houses several strong local names, such as Hallab, Rifai and Goodies. Patisserie Doueihy has a 25 square meters unit just outside the store.
Liquor, tobacco & Cigars - The duty free area, located adjacent to Cigars, covers approximately 1,050sq m and houses cigarettes, tobacco, liquor, confectionery and wine. Within this, specific zones have been created, notably a dedicated wine area to showcase the world famous Lebanese classic vineyards. Belgian confectioner Neuhaus has also opened a shop-in-shop concept within this zone for the sale of fresh Belgian chocolates.
La Casa Del habano – The Lebanon has always enjoyed a love affair with fine Cuban cigars, and the opening of the new La Casa Del Habano facility – which must be the most impressive airport cigar shop in the world – solidifies this relationship. Phoenicia Trading is the exclusive distributor of Habanos products in the Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Set within the 1,100sqm main duty free store, La Casa encompasses 400sqm and incorporates an unparalleled selection of cigars, cigarillos and accessories presented in a stylish shop concept including two large walk-in humidors.
But the most intriguing element – given the severe space constraints that travel retailers must deal with – is the VIP cigar lounge. Located at the back of the shop, this sophisticated and elegant facility is about as far from the hustle and bustle of an international airport as you can imagine – with comfortable leather seating, a bar and an authentic Cuban ambience. The lounge is only open to privilege card holders, with membership available to customers shopping in any of Habano’s 89 shops around the world. Access to La Casa is certainly a strong incentive to sign up and, having secured the contact details of consumers, Habanos uses this information to target members with direct marketing regarding the company’s latest and promotional activities.
The most striking aspect of the shop is the vintage walk-in humidor, which stocks a range of rare and exclusive products. The exclusivity of the collection presented in the vintage area is underlined by the fact that the Romeo & Julieta brand produced a smaller number of exclusive products, exclusively listed in the humidor to celebrate the opening of La Casa.
Situated between the vintage humidor and the main shop floor is the main walk-in humidor. It covers 100sqm, which the company believes makes it the largest airport humidor in the world. The unit stocks 35 different brands of cigar. The store also boasts a wide range of accessories with a gondola dedicated entirely to lighters, a selection of pipe smoking accessories and a vast selection of humidors – either empty or ready stocked with sticks.
Car Area – Multimedia & Online Concepts S.A.L (MOC), in collaboration with Phoenicia - Aer Rianta Company S.A.L (PAC), has been promoting a very innovative concept at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport since May 2003. The game involves passengers making any purchase from the Duty Free Departure Area, and grants them the chance to win a luxury car by buying a coupon to participate in the computer game. For further information, visit the website www.mocwinners.com
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Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport Bank
Byblos Bank sal
About Byblos Bank
Byblos Bank is a leading Bank in Lebanon with over 50 years of existence.It owns the largest and best spread network of 70 branches.
Byblos Bank Airport Branch
Location: Departure zone Telefax: (01) 629000 / 629100 / 629111 E-Mail: AirportBranch@ byblosbank.com.lb Manager: Ms. Haifa SALEH
Byblos Bank Widespread Airport Services
One full-fledge branch located at the departure zone Three stands on arrival zone Four ATMs located as follows:
2 at arrival zone, 1 at the Duty Free zone, 1at the Departure zone
Byblos Bank Airport Facilities
Foreign exchange services Stamps selling for your Visa issuing at the Airport Expatriates Housing Loans at very special rates. Special souvenirs medals from Lebanon. Long time accessibilty: 24/24 hrs. 365 days a year.
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