ALGERIA, May 13, 2008 -- African travel retailer Saresco Afrique is preparing to take over the operation of two airport stores in Africa over coming months. One year on from its restructure and announcement it was opening a regional office in Dubai to strengthen its African and Middle Eastern business interests, the retailer is planning to take over the shop operations at two of Algeria’s biggest airports.

At Hassi Messaoud Airport Saresco will operate the 120 square metre departures store and a 45 square metre arrivals store. Hassi Messaoud Airport receives 800,000 passengers a year due to the close proximity to major oil reserves. Saresco Afrique CEO Claude Benitah told Gulf Africa Duty Free that “many travellers here are on business and are high spenders. We will have a large array of fine brands for these customers.”

At Bejaia Airport, which is situated on the Algerian coast, Saresco will operate an 80 square metre duty free shop. Both shops will be open by September.

Meanwhile, the operator has put the finishing touches to its diplomatic store in Pointe-Noire, the resort popular with tourists in the Republic of Congo. It has also opened a 400 square metre warehousing unit in the Republic.

“We now have the facilities to organize exhibitions for brands here and put on better showcasing opportunities,” Benitah revealed.

Saresco has also become the African distributor for L’Oreal Luxe Products, L’Oreal Prestige and L’Oreal Paris. “We are growing fast. We grew by 26% in 2007 compared to the year before,” said Benitah. “We are planning new platforms in the West coast of Africa. This will be mainly for logistics and distribution and to bring the products closer to the market there. Our new office in Dubai has made our business more efficient in the region as we are able to organise distribution to and from this area.”