Lagardère Travel Retail opens first Monocle store in travel retail at Hong Kong International Airport
Top international airport retail operator Lagardere Travel Retail and global media brand Monocle have announced the opening of the first ever Monocle travel retail store at Hong Kong International Airport on Friday 23rd August. The new shop will be the first in a new rollout of airport based outposts for the brand with an emphasis on books, the best periodicals, travel essentials and Monocle’s full range of products and special collaborations.
Developed in association with Paris-based Lagardère Travel Retail, the store is located at one of the airport’s top intersections, selling globally sourced essentials, accessories and apparel directly to discerning travellers.
Monocle’s mission is to rethink airport retail. Tyler Brûlé, Editor-in-Chief and Owner of Monocle, comments “the launch of this new concept at Hong Kong International Airport comes at the perfect time for our industry. Airport news and shop formats have not always been keeping pace with the retail industry in general and this debut seeks to raise the game for both the industry and customers.”
Eudes Fabre, CEO for North Asia of Lagardère Travel Retail, said: “we are delighted to launch in partnership with Tyler Brûlé and his team the world’s first Monocle concept store in an airport here in Hong Kong. The discerning traveler at Hong Kong International Airport will appreciate the sophisticated design, curated product selection and expert customer service on offer at the Monocle store. As the leading retailer of cultural, lifestyle and luxury products in airports worldwide, this partnership builds on our strong heritage and is a natural fit. I thank our partners at Monocle and Airport Authority Hong Kong for their trust in Lagardere Travel Retail’s ability to bring unique, premium brands to life for the first time at the airport.”
Welcoming over 74 million visitors annually and operating upwards of 1,100 flights daily, Hong Kong International Airport is a key relevant new location for the latest venture in Monocle’s burgeoning retail empire. The stand-alone store occupies a significant retail footprint of 190sqm; underlining a commitment to the printed word and also a premium offer to global travellers. Amongst its range will be the brand’s range of Monocle Travel Guides, a must have for any urban explorer with over 36 cities and counting – each sharing a unique Monocle take on the world as well as special edition products, only available at Hong Kong International Airport.
Tyler Brûlé continues: “Hong Kong is already one of our most important markets both for readers and brand partnerships. In order to tailor this for both the local audience, visitors and passengers connecting, we’ve developed a store that is calm, elegantly designed and stocked with good reads for the long haul, gifts for friends and clients at the other end and of course lots of accessories and fashion items for our core audience.”
Reflecting Tyler Brûlé’s quality conscious and cutting edge design ideology, the store will also supply essential buys for the informed traveller, from tastefully curated books and stationery to exclusive travel musts, including Porter x Monocle’s iconic luggage and bag range. The retail experience will be complemented by a selection of drinks and international snacks.
For Brûlé, Monocle and its legion of readers, details matter and memorable shopping experiences have been instrumental in their success to date. In keeping with Monocle’s existing retail universe, the Hong Kong International Airport store is characterised by its stylistic edit of quality furniture in wood and brass, impeccable visual merchandising, warm welcome and sense of discovery.
Already operating stores and café concepts globally (London, Zürich, Merano, Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo and Hong Kong) Monocle’s airport expansion comes in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, a pioneering global leader in the travel retail industry. Monocle are also exploring opportunities at additional travel hubs globally.
The Monocle Shop joins a host of luxury brands who have already invested in space at Hong Kong International Airport, including Bally, Balenciaga, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes and Loewe, marking a new era for the airport’s retail experience.
ABOUT MONOCLE
Launched in 2007, Monocle is a premium media brand offering high-quality editorial content across its magazine, web and broadcast divisions. Led by editor in chief Tyler Brûlé, it is the leading edit on global affairs, business, culture and design. The magazine is published 10 times a year and distributed in more than 65 markets, selling more than 84,000 copies per issue. Monocle’s scope goes further: a round-the-clock radio station, Monocle 24; a dynamic website; high-quality films and slideshows; live events; retail and café locations; and a collection of travel books and lifestyle guides.
ABOUT TYLER BRÛLÉ
Tyler Brûlé is widely considered to be one of the most influential media innovators of his generation. Brûlé moved from Canada to the UK to pursue his career, working as a reporter for the BBC before turning his hand to print journalism, writing for publications including The Independent, The Sunday Times and Vanity Fair. Brûlé launched award-winning magazine Wallpaper* in 1996, a publishing phenomenon that went on sell in more than 50 countries. In 2007 he launched Monocle, which has since grown into a unique global media entity.
