Concessionaires at Denver International Airport said business was largely unchanged on the first day after security measures were relaxed to allow liquids and gels on board flights.
Some retailers said it was too early to gauge the impact of the new rules, which allow toiletry items smaller than 3 ounces and beverages purchased in the concourses onto planes. The changes went into effect Tuesday morning.
“It’s a bit too soon to tell, but we would expect that sales would increase 5 to 10 percent for bottled beverages,” said David Mosteller, whose company operates nine restaurants at DIA.
In the weeks since the Transportation Security Administration’s August ban on liquids and gels aboard U.S. flights, except for medication and baby formula, sales of water and other bottled beverages had been down 10 to 15 percent.
“We know we’ll never recoup those lost sales, but at the same time we’re just glad that the Homeland Security Department has made an evaluation that has helped the consumer,” said Mosteller.
Sales ticked up slightly Tuesday at airport Creative Croissants locations, said manager Donald Hayes. Most of the increases appeared to be in the bottled-beverage category.
Richard Osada, co-owner of Denver Body & Spirit, located in the terminal, said the revised restrictions benefit businesses on the concourse but that stores like his will continue to suffer.
His store sells lotions, perfumes and other body-care items; sales have been down 10 percent since August. The company has experienced its worst two months in about a year and a half, he said.
While Osada said he may see some recovery in sales of travel-sized items, the majority of his stock tends to be larger-sized.
“I don’t understand why you can take several 3-ounce products on board but not one 16-ounce bottle,” he said.
Other retailers were generally pleased with the relaxed restrictions.
“Overall, it should be great for concessionaires on the concourse,” said Mike Dunkle, general manager of Liberty Duty Free on Concourse A.
Duty Free stores have been delivering alcoholic beverages and perfumes purchased by customers directly to their gates. Even so, Dunkle’s business has still suffered because of customers’ perceptions that they cannot take their purchases aboard their flights.
“It will take a few days or a week before we see a significant impact, but we are expecting business to return to our previous levels,” Dunkle said.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-954-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
