Hand sanitizer is encouraged for all customers at Tasa Meng, and staff will gladly provide it
Among other steps taken to ensure health and safety for staff and customers, staff are given a daily temperature check
B
y all accounts, Taiwan’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak has been held up as the model for the world to follow, but despite the superior job the country has done controlling the outbreak, the airport and thus airport retail have had to contend with the global reality of the pandemic: closed borders around the world and an immensely reduced number of international flights, as most have been cancelled. Many countries have stopped all commercial passenger travel, and numerous airports the world over have been closed. Taiwan’s airports have remained open during this time, as have Tasa Meng’s shops at the country’s two main international airports. “So far our duty free shops remain open at Taiwan Taoyuan and Kaohsiung International Airports. But the number of international travellers continues to drop, and has now reached a historical low level,” says Gary Chau, General Manager of Tasa Meng.
Rising to challenges
While these direct travel effects have had by far the most impact on Tasa Meng’s drop in business, the situation has created secondary effects as well. These effects include increased labor costs due to the travel ban and general health crisis. “The labor cost of fit-out employees is high; many workers are unable to leave China and others are reluctant to work at an airport as they are afraid of exposure to COVID-19,” Chau says. Despite these challenges, while many companies have been forced to cut their work force, this has not been the case with Tasa Meng. The company has made a point of working hand in hand with local small and medium-sized suppliers to assist them in clearing their inventory, a decision that will help all to survive, with an emphasis on food suppliers. “This strengthens our partnerships through this long and difficult period,” says Chau.
www.dutyfreemag.com ASIA DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING
47