TOP 10 OPERATORS 6: GEBR. HEINEMANN


the January 2019 introduction of the new Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union for Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. One example is the Sheremetyevo


Duty Free joint venture, which opened four arrivals shops at Sheremetyevo


International


Airport’s Terminal’s D and E in April. Overall, the lion’s share of


Heinemann sales were once again taken by airports (78%), followed by border shops (12%) and cruise lines and ferries (4%). The last continues to exhibit impressive growth in a channel where Heinemann acts as a distributor and retailer.


‘Severe losses’ in March Elsewhere, significant strides have been made in digitalisation, in particular the extension of the ‘Heinemann & Me’ loyalty programme, and strengthening corporate responsibility. “We were able to close the 2019


financial year with a good result which was above that of the previous year and to expand our strong position in many regions and sales channels,” explained Stephan Ernst, Chief Financial Officer. Like others, Gebr. Heinemann’s


retail revenues have been decimated due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The shutdown of airports sparked


by mass lockdowns and quarantining has been particularly galling.


Heinemann and partner BF Group’s store at Kyiv-Boryspil International Airport Terminal F, which began welcoming flights in March 2019.


According to Heinemann, ‘severe losses’ were incurred in March when global air transport ground to an absolute halt. “During our long-standing history


we have seen many crises,” stated Max Heinemann, Chief Executive Officer. “This gives us some points of reference. “But the scale of this pandemic


is unprecedented. It is clear that the road to a recovery of the travel market will be very long. We are talking about years, not months.” Heinemann duly acknowledges


that 2020 will be different to the 140 previous years in its history. Between March to May – and


largely June – revenue sources across its retail and distribution arms almost


“It is clear that the road to a recovery of the travel market will be very long. We are talking about years, not months.”


Max Heinemann, Chief Executive Officer, Gebr. Heineman


completely evaporated. “In the first half of 2020, the


Heinemann Group recorded a decline in turnover of almost 60% compared to the same period last year, in spite of the strong months of January and February,” said Ernst. “In the summer holiday month of


General quarantine effectively a travel ban, says Heinemann


Gebr. Heinemann has expressed concern regarding the imposition of a new general quarantine obligation for travellers entering Germany from at-risk areas. In a rare public statement issued


recently, the Hamburg-based firm judged that new rules taking effect in October that require passengers to quarantine at home for a 14-day period on arrival will result in the collapse of air traffic once again. Raoul Spanger, Chief Operating Officer


stated: “A general quarantine obligation has the equivalent effect of a travel ban. We are in favour of the current testing regime.


OCTOBER 2020


“The new stricter regulations are a bitter setback for the many people who want to visit relatives and friends, have business appointments or want to go on vacation and for the European tourism and aviation industry.” Branding the regulations


‘disproportionate’, more difficult to control than obligatory testing and a ‘serious threat’ to the travel sector, Heinemann has called on federal governments across Europe to ramp up testing capacity more effectively. “If the authorities would not classify


entire countries as risk areas, but rather only those regions with a high incidence of infection, the test capacity would


TOP 10 OPERATORS 27


be sufficient to test travellers from risk areas and make quarantine unnecessary,” added Spanger.


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