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Tag: duty free

  • Hong Kong tenders five new retail contracts

    Hong Kong tenders five new retail contracts

    Hong Kong International Airport is currently tendering three retail contracts in the merchandise areas of fashion accessories, audio visual/electronics and gifts/souvenirs and toys.

    The first consists of a fashion or fashion accessories shop opportunity comprising 50sq m on Level 5 Departures in the North Satellite Concourse restricted area, where bids close on December 3.

    Another tender process is for an audio visual/electronics concession consisting of five shops, with four located on Level 7 in the Departures Check-in Hall, Terminal 1 non-restricted area. These outlets vary from between 18 to 70sq m in size.

    Another outlet comprising 48sq m which falls under the same contract is also located on Level 5 Arrivals in the Pre-Immigration Hall, Terminal 1 restricted area. The date for submission for offers for this five-outlet contract is December 10, 2015.

    Tenders also close for a small 48sq m gifts/souvenir/toy concession at Hong Kong Airport tomorrow afternoon. This is located on Level 5 Departures in the North Satellite Concourse restricted area.

    The airport describes all of these opportunities as ‘extraordinary’ and in ‘premium locations’.

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  • L’Oreal sales soar 13.2% to $20.4bn in first 9 months

    L’Oreal sales soar 13.2% to $20.4bn in first 9 months

    L’Oréal has released its nine-months sales results pointing to strengthened growth in the North American Consumer Products Division; maintained growth in Western Europe; a temporary third quarter slowdown for L’Oréal Luxe in Asia; strong e-commerce sales (projected at +€1bn in 2015); a slowdown in travel retail; and ‘significant’ sales and profit growth.

    Commenting on the figures – including the top line €18.76bn ($20.4bn) in total 9-month sales – Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO of L’Oréal, said: “At the end of September, the Group’s reported growth is strong, at +13.2%, still supported by a very positive currency effect.

    “In the third quarter, the Consumer Products Division is confirming the gradual strengthening of its growth, notably through strong momentum in make-up with its three brands: Maybelline, L’Oréal Paris and NYX. The Active Cosmetics Division continues to forge ahead and the Professional Products Division keeps outperforming a lacklustre market.

    “L’Oréal Luxe experienced a temporary slowdown as a result of market turbulence over the summer in Asia, in Hong Kong and in Travel Retail. By geographic zone, North America’s growth is gradually increasing and Western Europe confirms its positive trend. In the third quarter, the New Markets have been hampered by the difficult Brazilian market, market turbulence in Asia and the taking over of agents’ contracts in the Middle East. In China, sales growth is in line with earlier quarters.”

    Loreal 9m sales 2015

    Agon, added that ‘despite a global context that is still volatile’ the company remains confident for the year as a whole. He said: “The beauty market remains dynamic. In each Division, our brands are pushing forward with successes such as Maybelline and NYX in the Consumer Products Division, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl’s and Urban Decay at L’Oréal Luxe, Redken in the Professional Products Division and La Roche-Posay at Active Cosmetics.

    “Finally, the acceleration of our digital transformation is making us stronger, in particular with the rapid increase (+40%) of our e-commerce sales which should significantly exceed one billion euros this year. We are confirming our ambition to outperform once again the beauty market in 2015 and to achieve significant growth in both sales and profits.”

    Looking at the first nine-months sales to September 30, the company said that on a like-for-like basis and based on a comparable structure and identical exchange rates, sales growth of the L’Oréal group would have been +3.7%. It adds that the net impact of changes in scope of consolidation was +1.2%, while growth at constant exchange rates registered +4.9%.

    The company said that currency fluctuations actually had a positive impact of +8.3% and if September-end exchange rates (€1 at $1.12) are extrapolated up to December 31, then the impact of currency fluctuations would be +6.7% for the whole of 2015.

    L'Oreal 2014 2015 sales

    Turning to the product divisions, L’Oréal said that at the end of September, the Professional Products Division posted growth of +3.2% like-for-like and +13.4% based on reported figures.

    The company said: “Hair care is the largest contributor to growth, powerfully driven by the latest innovations, such as Thérapiste by Kérastase, Pro Fiber by L’Oréal Professionnel, and Frizz Dismiss by Redken. The dynamic trend in hair colour is continuing across all brands.

    “Professional skincare with Carita is expanding rapidly in Western Europe. All the geographic Zones are growing. Eastern Europe is accelerating, while Brazil is slowing the growth rate in Latin America.”

    L’Oréal Consumer Division

    As for the Consumer Products division, the beauty giant recorded a rise of +2.3% like-for-like and +11.2% based on reported figures. The company commented that gradual improvement growth trend continues and thanks to the new momentum of Maybelline, the strong expansion of NYX, and the success of L’Oréal Paris, this division is strengthening its leadership in the make-up market.

    L’Oréal also notes that hair care is winning market share, thanks notably to L’Oréal Paris. For Garnier, the Ultimate Blends’ successful launch process has continued in many European countries. At the same time, the division is outperforming the markets in Eastern Europe, Asia, Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, while the ‘strong make-up dynamic’ is said to be accelerating the division’s growth in the US, while e-commerce is growing fast across all Zones.

    Meanwhile, L’Oréal Luxe posted growth of +5.8% like-for-like and +17.9% based on reported figures. Within the more detailed picture, Yves Saint Laurent grew strongly, driven by make-up, men’s fragrances with L’Homme and women’s fragrances with Black Opium. L’Oréal added that Giorgio Armani remained dynamic across all geographic Zones.

    The company added: “Urban Decay is accelerating worldwide with the high-profile launch of the Naked Smoky palette and is building a global beauty offering with initiatives in foundations and lipstick. Kiehl’s is launching Daily Reviving Oil Concentrate and continuing its double-digit growth.

    “Growth at Lancôme is being driven by market share gains in Europe, the success of the fragrances La vie est belle, Miracle and the newly released La Nuit Trésor; Grandiôse and Hypnôse Volume à Porter mascaras; and the acceleration of its Génifique facial skincare.”

    L’Oréal adds that despite a market that slowed in the third quarter in Asia and in Travel Retail, L’Oréal Luxe has strengthened its worldwide position with significant gains in Western Europe, in Asia, Pacific, in the Middle East and in Latin America.

    Active Cosmetics division

    The company’s Active Cosmetics division also improved its performance further with strong growth of +7.3% like-for-like and +9.7% based on reported figures. L’Oréal reported that Vichy is innovating with Neovadiol Substitutive Complex Serum, a formula that acts on skin changes linked to menopause.

    At the same time, Roche-Posay is renewing its expert franchise for oily skin with the launch of Effaclar K(+). The company adds that the brand is continuing to post double-digit growth in all geographic Zones, with ‘outstanding performances’ in France, Brazil and China. The successful international roll-out of SkinCeuticals is continuing.

    The beauty company also reported that all geographic zones continue to contribute to growth, with sales accelerating in the third quarter and new markets maintaining growth at more than 10%.

    Western Europe recorded growth of +2.1% like-for-like and +4.5% based on reported figures, with L’Oréal Luxe is continuing to act as a growth driver. Garnier is also said to be winning market share in hair care and skincare, while L’Oréal is continuing to outperform the market in Germany and the UK thanks to L’Oréal Luxe.

    In North America L’Oréal posted growth of +3.0% like-for-like and +25.4% based on reported figures. Both the Active Cosmetics and Professional Products Divisions drove growth and notably thanks to the La Roche-Posay and Redken brands.

    Kiehl’s and Urban Decay also contributed to the development of L’Oréal Luxe, while the Consumer Products Division also grew with good make-up contributions from L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline and above all NYX, which is described as ‘growing at a remarkable pace’. Meanwhile, the Body Shop recorded growth of +2.0% like-for-like and +12.6% based on reported figures.

    Commenting on other markets, the company reported a mixed picture, beginning with the Asia and Pacific territories: “At the end of September, L’Oréal posted growth of +4.4% like-for-like and +21.9% based on reported figures. Kiehl’s, Yves Saint Laurent and Giorgio Armani are contributing to the dynamism of L’Oréal Luxe, in a context of slower third-quarter growth in Hong Kong and Travel Retail Asia.

    “The Consumer Products Division is performing well in India, Australia and Thailand. In China, growth at L’Oréal Paris is accelerating, while Magic is undergoing a transitional period. The Active Cosmetics Division is growing strongly, thanks to the success of La Roche-Posay.”

    Tough Brazilian market

    By contrast, in Latin America sales grew by +5.5% like-for-like and by +4.7% based on reported figures. Excluding Brazil, sales achieved double-digit growth, thanks to L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline and Lancôme, although the company says that the Brazilian market is being held back by a very difficult economic environment and by the reform of the IPI (Tax on Industrialised Products).

    Looking at Eastern Europe, L’Oréal said that the zone posted figures of +9.5% like-for-like and -4.1% based on reported figures. The Consumer Products and Professional Products Divisions recorded double-digit growth, boosted by Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

    As for Africa and the Middle East, sales growth amounted to +9.8% like-for-like and +28.1% based on reported figures. L’Oréal said: “The reorganisation of part of our distribution network in the Gulf States caused a temporary growth slowdown in the third quarter. The Group is strengthening its positions at a time when most markets in the Zone are seeing their growth rates decelerate.

    “Egypt and Saudi Arabia are still posting strong performances. L’Oréal Paris and Garnier are gaining market share. Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Kérastase and La Roche-Posay are also recording solid growth rates.”

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  • Foreign operators threaten Korea’s duty free shops

    Foreign operators threaten Korea’s duty free shops

    Korea’s duty free stores are sensing a crisis because of increasingly tougher challenges from their competitors in China, Japan and Thailand, industry sources said Tuesday.

    According to the Korea Duty-Free Association (KDFA) and distribution industry sources, the nation’s duty free retail market grew to 8.3 trillion won ($7.24 billion) last year, up 21.6 percent from 2013. There were still wide gaps with the neighboring markets of China (5.6 trillion won), Thailand (2.1 trillion won) and Japan (1 trillion won).

    But these regional competitors are rapidly expanding their markets, going all out to draw Chinese tourists to erode Korea’s lead.

    And this year has provided good opportunities for foreign operators, as the number of Chinese visitors to Korea sharply declined to 4.36 million in the first nine months, compared with 6.13 million last year, affected by the breakout of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in April. But the number of Chinese people who visited Japan and Thailand in the first nine months rose from 2.41 million and 4.62 million to 3.83 million and 6 million, respectively, from a year ago.

    Foreign analysts also saw it as serious. “The Korean duty free retail market may appear to be a golden goose because of the influx of Chinese tourists,” said Martin Moody, chairman of Moody Report, a British distribution magazine. “Those golden eggs could prove to be quite fragile, however, because of unpredictable factors as seen in the MERS crisis.”

    Industry experts stress the need for enhancing the global competitiveness of domestic operators by expanding their store sizes and developing specialized services. Amid the ever-toughening competition, running duty free stores is no longer a preferential business, they said, adding that the government and industry should cooperate to create more competitive operators.

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  • King Power duty free sales +47% in Thailand

    King Power duty free sales +47% in Thailand

    Forward bookings from airlines and indicators from leading travel agents suggest that Chinese arrivals to Thailand will reach record levels in 2015, as the King Power International Group reports sales up by 47% this year.

    Speaking to TRBusiness in a detailed interview this month, she said: “With the exception of the tragic bombing in August, 2015 to date has been a very good year for the group. Traffic to Bangkok particularly has increased very significantly.

    “Overall traffic at Suvarnabhumi is up 19.16%, to the end of August, and traffic at Don Muang is up 65%. Within those overall traffic numbers there are specific nationality changes that have generally had a very positive impact on sales.

    “Total Chinese traffic at Suvarnabhumi is up 151% to 5,651,591 passengers. Indian passengers are another very important customer group for us and the traffic with them is up by 20% – and of the other key customer groups, Korean and Japanese traffic levels are up 38% and 13.3% respectively.”

    She added that these positive increases have offset the decrease in Russian passengers (-49.8%) and Thai nationals, who are down by 14.73%. more happily she said: “Overall group sales are up 47%, versus the same period last year.”

    Whelan pointed to an outstanding +72% sales performance by the cosmetics and skincare category, followed by watches (+76.68%), Jewellery (77.05%), tobacco (+ 30.08%) and leather goods(+ 30.94%).

    She says this impressive growth has been driven by a combination of factors, including organic passenger growth and aforementioned rises in high spending overseas visitors.

    An interview with Susan Whelan appears on page 30 of the October Cannes exhibition issue of TRBusiness and also on pages 81-85 in the bonus retail section of the Top 10 International Retailers 2015.

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  • Japan duty free sales boom

    Japan duty free sales boom

    Japan duty free sales soared in the first quarter of the current financial year as Chinese tourist ranks swelled.

    Major duty free retailers have reported sales on the mainland soared 20 per cent or more year on year, with brands preferred by Chinese shoppers performing the best.

    Japanese government figures show inbound tourists into the nation soared 47 per cent in the first six months of the 2015 calendar year – to 11 million. In the whole of 2014, inbound visitors totalled just 13.4 million.

    Sales of jewellery – especially gold jewellery – and watches lead the growth in a virtual mirror image of the experience of Hong Kong retailers, demonstrating clearly how the cashed up Chinese have changed their preferred duty free shopping destination.

    Leather goods are reportedly selling well and airport boutiques are experiencing healthy turnover increases.

    Japan’s government scrapped visas for Chinese mainlanders early this year, which has definitely helped fuel the boom.

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  • HKIA experiments with home delivery service

    HKIA experiments with home delivery service

    Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is launching a new trial local delivery service for passengers who spend more than HK$1,000 ($129) in its shops at the airport.

    Cissy Chan, Executive Director Commercial, HKIA said Airport Authority HKIA also plans to experiment with trial deliveries to the homes of a few individuals in two other countries as a trial run.

    In a session entitled ‘Future Positive’ at this month’s Trinity Forum 2015 in Hong Kong, she said HKIA is engaged in concentrating on the passenger experience, utilising the four ‘Es’ which she qualified as eating, entertainment, ease and engagement.

    The airport is now on a mission to try and make the environment more exciting after research showed that most people only enter the shops because they are bored.

    As a result – and in addition – the airport is installing interactive amusements in relevant shops to build up interest, while pop up stores will feature more regularly.

    Chan added that the airport is also working on building in entertainment facilities like a virtual golf zone, as well as employing food court ambassadors. These new recruits will find seats for passengers who are already holding trays of food, alongside a service pledge of 15 minutes.

  • Shinsegae joins race for duty-free shop in Seoul

    Shinsegae joins race for duty-free shop in Seoul

    Shinsegae said it will apply for the highly competitive bid as three duty-free operating licenses are set to expire within the year. The deadline is set for Friday and the Korea Customs Service will announce the result in November.

    Currently, Lotte Duty Free, the nation’s No. 1 operator, has two stores in Myeongdong, a major shopping district, and the affluent Gangnam region, and SK Networks Co., a trading and hotel unit under SK Group, has a store in the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel in the southeastern part of the capital.

    Separately, Shinsegae will renew its operating license for Paradise Duty Free in the southern port city of Busan as its current license also expires in December.

    “We will propose a multi-complex shopping mall in Myeongdong, the nation’s No. 1 tourist attraction,” said Sung Young-mok, who is in charge of Shinsegae’s duty free business. “For Busan, we will relocate the duty-free shop to Shinsegae Centum City to recreate it as Busan’s tourism icon.”

    It is the second bid this year after Shinsegae applied for a new license in May, proposing to renovate its landmark outlet in Myeongdong. The building, established in 1930, was home to the country’s first department store.

    If it wins the bid, the retail giant will be opening its first duty-free store in downtown Seoul.

    The bid is seen as a major opportunity for local retailers who are in search of new cash cows amid lackluster domestic demand. Duty-free stores have emerged as one of the most lucrative retail channels in tandem with a sharp influx of deep-pocketed shoppers from China.

    Last year, the six duty-free stores across the capital, mostly dominated by Lotte, posted combined sales of 4.4 trillion won (US$4 billion). Sales by a Lotte Duty Free branch in the Myeongdong area accounted for a whopping 45 percent of the total.

     

  • SSI Group enters travel retail arena

    SSI Group enters travel retail arena

    Philippines specialty store operator SSI Group has made its first foray into the travel retail sector.

    SSI, through a subsidiary SKL International, has bought a 50 per cent stake in Landmark Management Services which marks its debut in the increasingly lucrative travel retailing category.

    The stake was acquired from duty free distributor Prime and the Regent Asia Group.

    “We are very happy to be part of the development of the travel retail industry. We believe that with SSI’s retailing experience and Landmark’s deep understanding of the unique shopping requirements of travelers, we can expand our market to cover tourists and business travelers,” SSI President Anthony Huang said in a statement.

    Landmark operates duty free and travel retail fashion stores at the Philippines’ larger airports as well as at Fiesta Mall in downtown Manila, under a concession from Duty Free Philippines.

    SSI Group ended last year with 723 specialty stores and 134,000 sqm of retail trading area and was planning to open a further 130 this year, outside this week’s acquisition. The company’s brand portfolio includes Marks and Spencer, Gucci, Burberry, Hermès, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Gap, Bershka, Aeropostale, Samsonite, Nine West and Payless Shoe Source.

  • Hong Kong airport executes summer promotions

    Hong Kong airport executes summer promotions

    Hong Kong International airport (HKIA) has welcomed the summer season with various promotions. These include special offers such as cash coupons with savings of up to HK$700 ($90) and complimentary local delivery service.

    From July 31 to August 11, travellers spending over HK$2,000, HK$5,000 and HK$10,000 by electronic payment can redeem HKIA cash coupons of HK$100, HK$200 and HK$600 respectively. Travellers using UnionPay cards to make purchases of over HK$5,000 and HK$10,000 can enjoy an extra HK$100 HKIA cash coupon.

    HKIA is also collaborating with retailers to provide travellers with exclusive shopping and dining offers and a selection of special complimentary gifts during the summer. Travellers spending with UnionPay cards can enjoy further offers. Details can be found by scanning QR codes on the promotional materials or by visiting https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/special-offers.html.

    In addition, travellers spending over HK$1,000 in one single transaction at HKIA can enjoy complimentary local delivery service, while HKIA’s “Guaranteed Downtown Prices” mascot dresses up to welcome the summer and greet travellers. The mascot will make special appearances at terminal one and pose for instant photos with travellers and distribute  gifts. Travellers can also enjoy music performances while shopping in the Departures East Hall.

    HKIA has also teamed up with the Hong Kong Tourism Board as part of the Hong Kong Summer Fun campaign, providing travellers with two rounds of lucky draws. Travellers entering Hong Kong through HKIA can participate in the “Instant Mega Draw” until August 31. Before leaving Hong Kong, travellers can also enter the “Return to Hong Kong like a Millionaire” draw to win prizes, including a return-trip to Hong Kong.

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  • S.Korea picks Hotel Shilla JV, Hanwha to operate new Seoul duty-free stores

    S.Korea picks Hotel Shilla JV, Hanwha to operate new Seoul duty-free stores

    South Korean retail giants HDC Shilla Duty Free and Hanwha Galleria Timeworld on Friday clinched a high-profile bid to operate duty-free stores in downtown Seoul in what is seen as a golden ticket to bolstering their footing in a retail industry struggling from anemic consumer spending.

    Seven companies had vied for the license, the first of its kind open to large corporations in 15 years. Lotte Duty Free, HDC Shilla Duty Free, a joint venture between Hotel Shilla and Hyundai Development Co., and SK Networks were aiming to increase their market share, while E-land, Hanwha Galleria Timeworld, Hyundai DF and Shinsegae DF were trying to make a fresh entrance into the duty-free sector.

    Currently, four companies run seven duty-free stores in Seoul, whose main customers are foreign tourists, especially those from China. Their insatiable appetite for shopping has been a rare bright spot in the local retail sector grappling with sagging sales amid a weak economy.

    Buoyed by their spending, the duty-free market has been posting double-digit growth in the past five years, compared with crawling sales growth at department stores and hypermarkets.

    In 2014, duty-free stores in Seoul posted a combined sales of 4.4 trillion won (US$3.9 billion), which accounts for more than half of the country’s 8.3 trillion won duty-free market.

    Meanwhile, the customs agency also announced two smaller retailers who will be operating duty-free stores in Seoul and Jeju, South Korea’s southernmost resort island, respectively.

    The new licenses will be valid for five years under a revised customs regulation that shortened the contract period from 10 years. The winning bidders are required to open their stores within six months.

     

     

     

  • HKIA retail growth halves to 10.8% but still flies high

    HKIA retail growth halves to 10.8% but still flies high

    The retail licences and advertising revenue segment at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) rose by a respectable +10.8% to HK$6,820m/$880m in 2014/15, with an upswing that was lower than the year before when it shot up by +23%, largely reflecting a full year of contributions from DFS Group as its anchor tenant.

    The segment now represents 41.7% of turnover – a marginal share increase on the previous year. Retail was a key component that allowed operator Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to generate record revenue of HK$16,367m/$2,111m (+10.5%) and rocketing profit of HK$7,254/$936m – a rise of +12.4% (see chart below and click to enlarge).

    Retail licences and advertising contributed nearly half of the rise in AAHK’s turnover for the year and the authority specifically highlights higher retail concession revenue as a major contributor to the above figures.

    AAHK does not split out its retail and advertising income, but from its comments it seems that the shopping units – in particular its well-trodden high-end boutiques – have delivered good gains. They have also been more of a focus in FY2014/15.

    STILL SEEING GOOD LUXURY DEMAND
    AAHK says: “This increase (of +10.8%) was a result of the commencement of new luxury retail licences; better sales performance for luxury brands, liquor and tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics, commercial catering and financial services categories; higher advertising revenue from new clients and categories; and joint promotional initiatives with major brands and China UnionPay.”

    Other terminal commercial revenue grew +5.2%, to HK$1,160m/$150m and mainly represents income from leasing offices and airport lounges to airlines and other tenants.

    HKIA enhanced its shopping experience in 2014/15 with the opening of 33 new luxury boutiques, with 10 new brands making an entry at T1.This latest luxury cluster includes the first Harrods store in Hong Kong, plus Balenciaga, Blancpain, Bulgari, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jaeger Le Coultre, Miu Miu, Moncler and Tory Burch.

    HKIA is still attracting Chinese passengers in big numbers

    With a strong Chinese PRC mix at the airport and numbers in the last fiscal year up +22% (bettered only by passengers from southeast Asia) HKIA has, so far, managed to leverage high-end sales to this group. Whether the authority can maintain that successfully this year, in the light of the luxury downturn being seen in the local Hong Kong market, remains to be seen.

    Looking ahead, AAHK believes that traffic demand will continue to grow, but at a slower pace. “As a result, some of HKIA’s facilities, such as aircraft parking stands and other terminal facilities will soon reach capacity in the existing two-runway system,” it warns.

    MIDFIELD TO THE RESCUE

    To meet immediate needs, the expanded west apron is now fully operational with 28 aircraft parking stands. The Midfield development, which includes a five-level concourse and 20 aircraft parking stands, will provide added capacity when it enters service later this year for up to 10m passengers.

    AAHK expect profits to grow at a slower pace this year largely due to its current capacity constraints. Nevertheless, it has its eye firmly fixed on increasing non-aeronautical revenue “by optimising HKIA’s retail space, revamping the overall retail experience for our passengers, introducing innovative marketing, and supporting our business partners while they expand their operations”.

    HKIA is the world’s third busiest international hub after Dubai International and London Heathrow – and in FY 2014/15 it handled 64.7m passengers, up +6.6%.

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  • Pandora partners with DFS in major Hong Kong Airport promotion

    Pandora partners with DFS in major Hong Kong Airport promotion

    Danish jewellery brand Pandora has opened a dedicated 13.5sq m promotional area at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in partnership with DFS Group.

    The zone is a celebration of ‘Explore, Dream & Discover’, involving a pre-launch of Pandora’s new travel charms, which will launch in other selected stores on 30 July.

    The use of a 6sq m video wall creates a multi-media experience to highlight the pre-launch.

    “We are extremely proud and excited about opening stores at prestigious locations together with DFS,” said Pandora VP Travel Retail Julian Mullins.

    “Here at DFS we aim to be the world traveller’s preferred destination for luxury shopping and developing fantastic brand partnerships is key to delivering on that promise,” said DFS Group Director of Merchandise-­‐ Sunglasses, Fashion Watches and Jewellery Jason Blejwas.DFS and Pandora have worked in partnership for just over a year, opening stores in Abu Dhabi, Honolulu, Guam, Saipan and Hainan as well as DFS Group’s downtown Hong Kong locations and the retailer’s main store in HKIA’s East Hall.

    “We’re excited to expand on our relationship with Pandora and bring their unique brand aesthetic to the traveling consumer at HKIA.”

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  • Strong Visitor Figures for Regional Duty Free and Travel Retail Event

    Strong Visitor Figures for Regional Duty Free and Travel Retail Event

    TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 2015, the 20th event for the duty free & travel retail industry in Asia Pacific, closed on 14th May in Singapore after a very successful week.

    With occupied exhibition space topping previous years at 9,118 m2 – up 9% on 2014 – and 292 exhibiting companies present (+12%), of which 73 were new to the show, there was a huge variety of products on display for the benefit of visiting buyers and agents.

    Visitor numbers were considered satisfactory by organisers TFWA in a year which has been challenging for the duty free and travel retail industry, with aviation accidents, a new approach to gift giving and luxury consumption among the all-important Chinese travellers, financial instability and political tension in several countries and the resulting slowdown in the growth of air passenger traffic.

    A total of 2,655 trade visitors attended the show, equivalent to last year, from 1,053 companies (+3%) of which more than a third were “key buyers” – duty free & travel retail operators and landlords from airports, airlines, ferry and cruise companies, cross-border and downtown duty free stores.

    “I was very impressed by the quality of the stands, the assortment of products on display and the energy around the show,” said Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA. “This year has not been easy for the industry in this region and, in light of that, we are really very satisfied with the number of companies present and the quality of the visitors.”

    Duty free & travel retail sales in the Asia Pacific region in 2014 totalled US$23.6 billion, up 5.5% on the previous year, according to provisional figures from independent analysts Generation Research, which ranks the region top in the global industry with 38% of total sales. The second largest region is Europe, followed by Americas, Middle East and Africa.

    Forthcoming events organised by TFWA include TFWA World Exhibition & Conference from 18th to 23rdOctober 2015 in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes and the Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association Conference from 22nd to 24thNovember 2015 at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, Dead Sea, Jordan. Details of these events can be found at https://www.tfwa.com.

     

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  • Lotte opens Jeju obligation free retailer

    Lotte opens Jeju obligation free retailer

    Lotte has opened a 6612 sqm Jeju obligation free retailer.

    The brand new retailer, constructed at a price of US$72 million, spans three flooring of the Lotte Metropolis Lodge in Jeju metropolis’s Doryeong-ro district, within the island’s CBD.

    Lotte Obligation Free says it’s almost 3 times the dimensions of the older retailer it replaces.

    Lee Hong Kyun, Lotte Obligation Free’s president, says the corporate plans to develop different leisure and cultural points of interest close by to attract much more vacationer clients to the location “Lotte Obligation Free Jeju retailer, standing on the bottom of its native company, Lotte Obligation Free Jeju Co Ltd, will make a purchasing cluster in Jeju and appeal to overseas vacationers in accordance with the tourism improvement coverage of Jeju,” he stated on the retailer’s opening ceremony.

    The brand new retailer is predominantly concentrating on Mainland Chinese language vacationers and features a cosmetics zone boasting 70 worldwide fragrance and cosmetics manufacturers.

    “Lotte Obligation Free has analysed the preferences of Chinese language vacationers and launched 270 manufacturers, together with international luxurious manufacturers, jewelry, equipment, cosmetics, watches, liquor and tobacco.” the corporate stated in a press assertion.

    “The worldwide luxurious jewelry manufacturers Bvlgari and Tiffany & Co are solely situated in Lotte Obligation Free Jeju retailer.”

  • Qantas Perth expansion good for JR/Duty Free

    Qantas Perth expansion good for JR/Duty Free

    JR/Duty Free stands to benefit from Qantas’ resumption of regular scheduled services between Perth and Singapore Changi Airport.

    Qantas’ direct Perth-Singapore service will operate five times per week, using a Boeing 737 aircraft.  Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said Qantas’ decision to reintroduce more scheudled frequencies is great news for Western Australians.

    “Western Australian business and leisure travellers will benefit from this direct service to Singapore and onward connections to other destinations. Singapore remains our third largest market, with Singaporean travellers the second largest source of foreign visitors to Perth,” said Geatches.

    “With the addition of Qantas’ five services weekly, there will now be in excess of 50 flights per week operating from Perth Airport connecting Western Australians to Singapore.

    “We are pleased to welcome Australia’s national carrier back to Perth Airport’s Terminal 1 and the resumption of regular international services,” he said. The Perth-Singapore service will depart Perth at midday and arrive into Singapore at 5.20pm, with the return leg departing Singapore at 6.25pm, arriving into Perth at 11.40pm.

    Since ending its regular Perth-Singapore service in May 2014, Qantas operated seasonal flights between the two cities during the peak July 2014 holiday period. Qantas also operates a seasonal Perth-Auckland service.

    Perth Airport recently commenced work on the expansion of Perth Airport’s T1 international departures lounge on level 2 which is part of a $141m international departures expansion and refurbishment, which will include the introduction of new retail and dining outlets.

    JR/Duty Free won the 10-year and two-month duty free concession at Perth Airport’s International Terminal in 2012, taking over the concession from the Nuance Group’s F1RST operation. JR/Duty Free began operating the business from November 2013

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