Irish Ferries award contract to Aelia
Ferry Online Travel News 15/12/2008
French retailer Aelia has been awarded the contract to operate shops on board Dublin-based Irish Ferries ships.
From April 2009, the retailer will operate 1,000 square metres of outlets on board the ferries, where passengers will be able to purchase a wide range of items, from liquor and tobacco to cosmetics and fragrances, clothing, confectionery, cosmetics and souvenirs.
The company’s fleet comprises four vessels that service key routes between Ireland, France and the UK. The Jonathan Swift and the Ulysses operate between Dublin and Holyhead, The Isle of Inishmore makes the crossing from Rosslare to Pembroke, and the Oscar Wilde links Rosslare with Cherbourg and, during the peak summer season, also with Roscoff in Brittany.
On the larger ferries, retail outlets will cover around 300 square metres and on the smaller ferries, such as the Swift, the area covered will be approximately 120 square metres.
Jean Baptiste-Morin, the chairman and CEO of Aelia, commented: “This is a significant contract gain for Aelia and we are absolutely delighted that Irish Ferries has placed its trust in us. We believe the business has considerable potential and we will seek to make the most of our experience in the UK and in our cross-Channel businesses to deliver the best results to Irish Ferries and its customers.”
He added: “With the help of our suppliers and the expertise of the UK team, headed by Bruno Bouchacourt and Phil Manning, we have every confidence in the future success of the concession.”
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