UAE. Dufry Sharjah, the Joint Venture of Avolta and Sharjah International Airport, has unveiled a Hudson Café at Sharjah International Airport, in partnership with Mondelez World Travel Retail.
The opening bolsters the retailer’s expansion drive in Sharjah and the Middle East. One of the high-growth travel hubs in the region last year, Sharjah Airport recorded over 15 million passengers, connecting them to more than 100 destinations in 62 countries via 33 international airlines.
Sharjah Airport serves as an ideal location to introduce F&B innovations to respond to the shifting traveller trends and preferences, noted the partners.
Having had a strong presence in the airport for the past 30 years, Avolta, through Dufry Sharjah, is expanding its operations and developing innovative formats.
The leading travel experience player has brought forward the first-of-its-kind hybrid concepts in the world including at Milan Malpensa Airport, which opened last year. These innovative stores combine a café, food retail and a bookstore, inspired by the concept of ‘Refuel, Recharge, Restock’.
The store offers travel essentials alongside a range of books and magazines, mobile phones and mobile accessories, and an extensive selection of beverages and food.
With Mondelez WTR as its partner, Hudson Café will feature a curated selection of Toblerone confectionery products. These special offers reflect both companies’ shared commitment to driving innovation and premiumisation in travel retail.
The new concept takes travellers on an immersive journey with Toblerone, showcasing Sharjah Airport-exclusive offers from the brand, alongside a wide array of the confectionery company’s latest products, bringing its New Equity design to life.
The shop-in-shop enhances the traveller experience through interactive touchpoints such as Mondelez WTR’s digitally advanced Toblerone sleeve printer, allowing consumers to personalise the 360g bar’s sleeve with text and images.
Sharjah International Airport Authority said: “Sharjah Airport values its partnership with Avolta and other partners, emphasising that these relationships are fundamental in reaching the airport’s objective of supporting the increasing flow of passengers and customers.
“The goal is to elevate the airport’s role as a premier international gateway, offering passengers access to unmatched services, world-class shopping experiences and top-quality facilities.”
Avolta General Manager for Sharjah, Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait Alexandre Tabacoff added: “The opening of the new store marks another important step in our journey to deliver a world-class customer experience to passengers visiting Sharjah International Airport and in our expansion strategy for the Middle East market.
“As we journey towards our Destination 2027 strategy, our commitment and our vision is to meet the evolving needs of our customers, developing increasingly innovative concepts with a multi-sector offering, looking forward to revolutionise the traveller’s airport experience.
“Through Dufry Sharjah and together with our global brand partner at Mondelez World Travel Retail, we are offering a first-of-its-kind hybrid concept that elevates customers’ brand knowledge and experience here in Sharjah.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to Sharjah International Airport with whom we have an excellent relationship, and to our team for their dedication and hard work to significantly improve the passenger experience at all stages of their journey.”
Mondelez World Travel Retail Head of Customer Marketing Beatriz De Otto commented: “At Mondelez World Travel Retail, we believe in delighting travellers through the transformative power of partnership and the ability to deliver experiences that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else.
“Our collaboration with Avolta and Dufry Sharjah at Hudson Café in Sharjah International Airport marks a significant milestone in our commitment to creating memorable moments for passengers.
“Through our collaborative efforts and this innovative hybrid concept, we are seamlessly blending confectionery products with exceptional experiences. We hope to exceed passenger expectations and elevate their journeys with a truly indulgent encounter that can only be enjoyed at Hudson Café.” 
