The global travel retailer is seeking to double Asia Pacific sales to 10% of total turnover within the next two years, with F&B concepts a key part of the strategy
Café Espresso at Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Terminal 2 | Photo credit: Avolta
Swiss travel retailer Avolta has launched its new Café Espresso coffee brand at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.
In a press release, Avolta said the store will build on the success of similar concepts launched in Indonesia and Australia under the Espresso Bar branding and ‘further solidifies our presence in one of the most vibrant business and touristic hubs of Southeast Asia’.
Catering to both dine-in and on-the-go customers, Café Espresso is located on the International Departure Level of the airport’s Terminal 2, which Avolta describes as ‘a bustling hub for low-cost carriers’. Domestic coffee chains OldTown White Coffee and Kopi Kita also operate in Terminal 2, alongside international operators Costa Coffee, Dunkin’, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
“Quick, convenient, and bursting with flavour – we are committed to making passenger journeys happy and providing exceptional service and quality to all our customers. Café Espresso is a must-visit pit stop in KL International Airport,” said Sachi Subramaniam, General Manager Malaysia, Avolta.
Avolta managed a portfolio of 5,155 travel retail, F&B and convenience stores across 73 markets as of 31 December 2023 and posted CHF 12.5bn ($14bn) in turnover last year. Duty-free retail currently accounts for 37% of total sales, food and beverage 32% and duty paid retail 31%.
Asia Pacific is currently the travel retailer’s smallest market by sales, contributing just 5% of total turnover compared to 47% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), 35% in North America and 13% in Latin America.
However, Avolta CEO Xavier Rossinyol expects Asia Pacific to double its share of the company’s total business to 10% by 2027, led by the expansion of food and beverage units in the region.
Avolta currently operates 334 stores across 11 markets in Asia Pacific, with units in more than 30 airports, train stations and ferry terminals. Asia Pacific sales reached CHF 557.8m ($623m) in 2023.