Dublin Airport T2 Spar outlet posted revenues of €3m last year, according to Daa tender

Airport operator is seeking a firm to run the 'landside' store for next five years

The unit is close to a food court and coffee shops and serves arriving passengers and airport staff.

A Spar convenience outlet of 103sq m in the T2 arrivals hall at Dublin Airport increased revenues by €200,000 to €3m last year.

That is according to new tender documents from airport operator Daa, which is looking for firms to submit offers to operate the "landside" store for the next five years. 

The selection process ends in September. 

The outlet benefited from a 15% jump in passenger numbers to 31.9m at the airport in 2023.

In the documents, the Daa said that the retail space “is a five-year opportunity with the potential to extend to seven years performance-dependent”. 

The unit is close to a food court and coffee shops and serves arriving passengers, so-called "meeters and greeters" as well as airport staff, the Daa said.

The prospective retailer “must provide clear evidence of experience in operating a retail business and experience in operating in a travel retail and high-volume environment", according to the tender. 

“In addition, there should be demonstration of a proven track record in performing a concession agreement and evidence of relationship interface with the landlord,” the Daa said in the documents.  

The Daa requires applicants to have generated annual sales of at least €2m in the previous three financial years. 

Renting out retail space is a key part of the Daa's business model. 

In 2022, the operator generated revenues of almost €185m from "direct retailing and retail/catering concessions" at Irish airports, and had revenues of €232.5m from "international retail and other activities".