The Schengen area of Venice’s International Marco Polo Airport recently saw the inauguration of the third Ducati Airport Shop, underlining the successful business relationship between Ducati and airport retail specialist, Meridian Duty Free.
The new shop, which follows the opening of two retail outlets situated at the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in Rome and the Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, clearly illustrates the continuity of the “in-airport” retail strategy implemented by these two companies.
This 27 square metre, open-plan store has been designed and built with a semi-circular layout that enables airport visitors to easily view the extensive range of authentic Ducati apparel and merchandise. More than just a retail outlet, the concept store also provides an opportunity for both Ducati fans and air travellers alike to see the latest Ducati apparel collections, including special products derived from the partnerships that many top brands now enjoy with Ducati.
“This represents another milestone in our plan to develop Ducati retail outlets inside airports,” said Marco Passoni, CEO of Meridian Duty Free. “It is an effective strategy that now also enhances the exposure of Venice Airport users to a wide range of products by Ducati, a company that is a truly global standard-bearer of Italian excellence. We operate extensively in a dynamic market and we are truly proud to have this opportunity. We strongly believe in the future and further development of the Ducati concept store, we have enormous confidence in the project and look forward to fully immersing ourselves in what promises to be an exciting retail experience with this new store.”
“For many years, Ducati has been a committed ambassador of Italian excellence and the decision to develop an airport retail format stems from the ever-growing interest in the Ducati brand and its entire range of associated official products,” said Lucio Attina’, Manager of Ducati’s BU Apparel & Brand Development. “After opening in Rome, and Ducati’s home town of Bologna, the decision to open at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport was a natural progression. We are sure that the association with the Travels of Marco Polo will bring us good luck in our quest to provide the huge international Ducati fan community with a unique experience that enables them to purchase original Ducati apparel and merchandise also at the airport.”
The symbolic ribbon cutting at the new Ducati Shop was attended by Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, Lucio Attinà, Manager of Ducati Motor Holding’s BU Apparel & Brand Development, Marco Passoni, Managing Director of Meridian Duty Free, and Andrea Geretto, Non-Aviation Sales and Marketing Manager at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. A little extra Ducati passion was injected into the inauguration ceremony of the latest store with Valentino Rossi’s Ducati Desmosedici GP12 motorcycle on show for the enthusiastic attention of fans and travellers alike.