GMCAC announces entry of new F&B, retail tenants

CEBU, Philippines – GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCC) announced the entry of new food and beverage outlets, including retail brands, as the new management continues to expand its array of shopping and dining choices.

Jollibee, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Regent Distributors Inc., which operates several retail brands, are the new tenants awarded by GMCAC to operate inside the new airline terminal, as announced by Louie Ferrer, GMCAC President.

Some of the newly awarded establishments are scheduled to open in the next two months.

"The entry of more shopping and food options for passengers is a testament of GMCAC’s commitment to provide more selections for our passengers. The retail environment inside the airport is getting to be more exciting in the coming months,” added Ferrer.

Seattle’s Best Coffee opened its first store inside the airport early this month located at the Waiting Lounge 5 catering to domestic passengers.

Coffeebean and Tea Leaf will open their new outlet by September located inside the International Departure Area, occupying 101 square meters of leasable space.

Likewise, two new Jollibee stores are set to open by October, one each at the Domestic Departure and the Domestic Arrivals Area located next to the Meeters and Greeters area.

At the Departure side, the Jollibee store will occupy 85 square meters of space and 110 square meters at the Arrivals area.

Meanwhile, retail operator Regent Distributors Inc. is set to bring in new and existing brands in the next few months that will address the need for more shopping options among passengers. These brand names include bags and cosmetics, among others.

Ferrer said the retail segment in the airport plays a significant role in the airport’s brand image, being firmly tied to “Cebu’s much-envied global reputation as a resort destination."

GMCAC is targeting to award lease contracts to more new retail and F&B outlets before the end of the year.

Estee Marie Patiño Plunket said in an earlier interview said that GMCAC is looking at improving the design and location setting of the retail outlets inside the airport, in such a way that it will be maximized by the all passengers coming in and going put from the airport.

Travel retail concept, she said will be adopted, and good mixed of retailers from local to international brands be there, Plunket said.

Significantly, she said the location of the airport's retail enclave will be positioned to be accessed by both departing, and arriving passengers.

Plunket acknowledged that retail segment in the travel industry plays a very critical role. GMCAC is making retail access inside the airport as part of its highlights, aside from world-class amenities, infrastructure and service.