Majorca debut for duty free kiosks

A Spanish design group co-owned by a British designer is producing duty free kiosks for airports across Spain.

Etherington Mas Associates, based in Madrid, won the deal with Aldeasa, which runs much of the airport duty free retailing throughout Spain and South America.

A prototype has been created in Majorca airport, where sales have been reported to be “astronomical”, and the consultancy is now working on a further ten for other Spanish airports.

EMA’s British managing director Tim Etherington, says the kiosk will be a “semi-mobile unit selling a complement of drinks, tobacco and perfumery accessories. They will be situated next to departure gates as Aldeasa wants to create a spontaneous point of purchase.”

Etherington believes the flexibility of the kiosk adds to its appeal. “Each one can serve six or seven gates or an entire airport wing as it can be initiated so quickly. It is not like having prime retail space, so if the kiosk does not work out in one area, it can be easily transferred,” he explains.