New Dublin Airport terminal set to create 400 jobs

Four hundred new retail jobs are set to be created with the opening of Terminal Two at Dublin Airport later this year.

T2, which will open in November, will contain almost 40 separate outlets, with a range of new shops, restaurants, and bars located in the terminal, most of which will be operated by third parties.

The DAA’s direct retail offering, which focuses on perfume and cosmetics and liquor and tobacco, will also expand into T2.

All of the new retail outlets will operate under the Loop, which is the DAA’s new name for airport shopping.

The DAA has also announced the first tranche of preferred bidders for T2’s retail outlets: giftware specialists House of Ireland, bookseller WHSmith, Irish fashion group Azure, Swiss jewellery retailer Swatch Group, and cosmetics company Jo Malone.

These five retailers will be joined by about 25 other operators in T2 when the new terminal opens in November.

Further announcements in relation to the retail offer in Terminal Two will be made shortly.

The DAA will also be retaining a full retail offer within Terminal One at Dublin Airport and a number of new outlets are also earmarked for T1.

“Retail is an integral element of the modern airport experience and Terminal Two will offer passengers a comprehensive choice of outlets,” said Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) Retail Director Paul Neeson.

“Despite the downturn, there has been huge interest in T2’s retail space and we are delighted to have secured an impressive portfolio of Irish and international retailers.

“We have listened to the views of passengers and are confident that the retail experience in the new terminal will appeal to both Irish consumers and visitors alike.”

T2 will contain about 9,000 sq metres of retail and food and beverage outlets.

Each of the new companies has agreed to pay the DAA a concession fee based on a percentage of annual sales rather than a fixed annual rent.

“This system allows the DAA and its retail partners to effectively share the risk, as unlike traditional landlords, we do not charge a fixed annual rent,” Mr Neeson said.

Almost 70% of passengers make some purchase as they travel through Dublin Airport and for more than one third of passengers airport shopping is a seen as a core element of their trip.