Auckland Airport has today announced a new partnership with AOE, a leading global technology service provider, to create a ‘multi-retailer mall’ which enables international travellers to purchase retail products and airport services via mobile and online.
Richard Barker, Auckland Airport’s general manager retail and commercial, says, “It is exciting to be able to partner with AOE to create an ‘omni-channel’ commerce platform that further improves our customer experience.”
“Expected to launch mid-2018, our new online ‘multi-retailer mall’ will enable international passengers to purchase from multiple airport retailers with a single transaction and then pick-up all their items from a single collection point, thanks to a sophisticated back-of-house operation. It’s the ultimate ‘click and collect’ shopping process.”
“The online platform also means that international passengers can shop at any stage of their travel journey, using their own devices, and at a time and place that is convenient for them - be it before they leave home, on-board their aircraft using in-flight Wi-Fi, or while sitting in any domestic or international airport.”
“The platform’s staged introduction will eventually see most airport retailers participating. All Auckland Airport products and services, including parking, loyalty and lounge access will also be integrated into the online mall, making it easier and more convenient for travellers to shop.”
“Frankfurt Airport has successfully introduced AOE’s omni-channel commerce platform and we understand there is also strong interest from a number of other leading airports around the world. We are excited that Auckland Airport’s introduction of the technology will be a first for any airport in Australasia. It will ensure that we deliver one of the most advanced digital airport retail experiences in the world and that we can significantly expand the range and type of products and services we offer to our customers.”
“Today’s partnership announcement continues the digital transformation of Auckland Airport. It supports our Faster, Higher, Stronger business strategy focus on strengthening our consumer business and builds on the recent launch of our mobile-first Strata loyalty programme. Importantly, it will help to provide our passengers with a one-of-a-kind personalised journey” says Mr Barker.
| An Auckland Airport release || August 14, 2017 |||
A Hong Kong-listed travel company has bought three parcels of land in Auckland for $9 million, where it plans to build accommodation units for Chinese tourists and to take advantage of the "critical housing shortage" in New Zealand's biggest city.
Orient Victory Travel Group Company, which is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, sells plane tickets, travel services, jewellery and financial services. The company has been "exploring opportunities to expand its travel related business in order to add momentum to the growth of the group", it said in a statement published to the Hong Kong stock exchange.
The three parcels of undeveloped land, totalling about 15,700 square metres, are adjacent to each other in Auckland's Silverdale, and the company said it is a good investment opportunity for it to boost revenue and increase profitability.
"The land is located in a tourism hub in North Auckland with close proximity to motorway, public transport, local amenities and popular tourist attractions," it said. "Identifying critical housing shortage in Auckland, the board believes that the property market of the nearby location where the land is situated has significant growth potential."
It intends to build self-serviced units on the land, with around 62 percent of the units to be used for accommodation for Chinese tour groups organised by the China Comfort Travel Group Company, of which Orient Victory Travel owns half.
"The acquisition will bring synergy effects to the travel business of the group's invested entity, and will also provide an additional source of income for the group through the daily operations as Auckland tourist boom rolls on, which is in line with the group's long-term strategy," it said.
| A BusinessDesk/Sharechat release || August 14, 2017 |||
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Young trainees and apprentices will be sharing their success stories with keen young kiwis during next week’s ‘Got a Trade? Got it Made!’ week.
“We want young people to know about the massive range of job opportunities that offer the chance to ‘earn and learn’,” says Industry Training Federation Chief Executive Josh Williams. “You can get paid and get qualified, and launch successful careers without racking up a student loan.”
Got a Trade! week begins on Monday 21 August, and celebrates 148,000 apprentices and industry trainees who work every day in over 140 trades and services.
“While three out of ten school leavers go to university, ten out of ten will need jobs,” says Mr Williams. “The number of apprentices and industry trainees now exceeds the number of university students, and this growth is set to continue.”
“New Zealand is crying out for more apprentices: There are major skills shortages in industries such as building and construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, automotive, retail, aged care, community support, electro-technology, the list goes on.”
‘More apprenticeships’ will be a catch cry this election campaign, with Government targets and opposition policies looking to grow the numbers of traineeships and apprenticeships.
“Employing young people in growing industries is a win-win. Training on-the-job develops the right skills at the right time, and individual growth translates into the regional and economic growth the country needs,” says Mr Williams.
“Trades are the way of the future and trades are what keep this country moving,” says Auckland print apprentice and Got a Trade! hero, Frank Uati. “What a good way to see the world. You earn while you learn, you’ve got a qualification that’s internationally recognised, and there’s no fees, no loan.”
Plasterer Ricky Dewes left school at 16 to find a trade, and went on to become apprentice of the year in both New Zealand and Australia, and Got a Trade! hero. His advice to young people is, if you want to own your own home, car and “toys”, as he now does, become an apprentice. Because skills become careers that can take you where you want to be.
When it comes to getting a trade, employers are also heroes. “Employers are now the largest provider of post-school education in New Zealand. We all benefit from their grateful time, talent and commitment to growing the next generation of skills,” says Mr Williams.
“We never forget the name of the person who first gave us a chance in our careers,” says Mr Williams. “Thousands of employers are out there taking on apprentices and trainees, training them up and giving them a chance. This week, we salute them too.”
| An IOT release ||| August 14, 2017 |||
Wellington Drive announces exclusive agreement with Alaska Refrigeration for the sales and distribution of its SCS Connect system in Vietnam.
Alaska Refrigeration www.alaska.vn is a refrigeration equipment manufacturer and distributor based in Vietnam, supplying a wide range of appliances for domestic and commercial applications.
Wellington’s CEO, Greg Allen said; "The agreement with Alaska is another indication of the increasing importance of Wellington’s brand and its SCS solutions in the Asia Pacific market. As the profile of SCS has grown with large global soft drink and beverage brands we are seeing increasing opportunities in new countries across the broader food and beverage market. This agreement with Alaska is consistent with our regional partnership model and utilises Alaska’s local knowledge and technical resources to service Vietnamese customers and support our mutual regional growth plans."
Commercial refrigeration systems fitted with Wellington Drive’s SCS Connect refrigeration controller already lead the way in Smarter Cooler technology. Wellington’s SCS platform and Smarter Cooler tool-set provides the commercial refrigeration market with fleet management systems and the data needed to improve the effectiveness of cooler fleets. They offer a beacon management platform and other location based digital marketing technologies to engage and interact with consumers at their point of purchase in front of the cooler.
| A WDT release || August 14, 2017 |||
It's Travel O'Clock 13-8-17 / Mondo's Weekly Travel Deals
Travel O'Clock :: A very small selection of some of Mondo Travel's best deals.
New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the USA, Canada, Asia, the Middle East, the South Pacific ... we have you covered worldwide when it comes to inspirational travel offers!
Click here for all the details
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242