UAE/THAILAND. French watch and fine jewellery maison Cartier has unveiled two new boutique concepts at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
The stores were opened in partnership with Dubai Duty Free and King Power International respectively. They reinforce Cartier’s strategy to accelerate its presence across major airports around the world.
The openings underline the luxury maison’s commitment to elevating the airport client shopping experience. The striking retail spaces, dressed in the luxury house’s signature gold and red colour palette, offer Cartier watches, jewellery and accessories lines for both men and women.
Both boutiques combine Cartier’s key design codes with local colours and motifs, giving a subtle yet distinctive sense of place. This includes drawer pull handles that are made to resemble luggage handles and a dedicated ‘icon bar’ which showcases the maison’s most popular creations.
Cartier takes bold step in Middle East travel retail with Dubai Duty Free
The new Cartier store at DXB, opened and operated in partnership with Dubai Duty Free, marks the brand’s first boutique in Middle East travel retail. It opened on 14 February and is located in Terminal 3, Concourse B.
The store’s façade features an intricate metal design that was inspired by ‘Mashrabiya’, a traditional Arabic architectural theme.
A vibrant fan-shaped panel in red-orange fabric is the main focal point of the store. The panel’s pattern was inspired by local vegetation in the UAE, a motif that is strongly rooted in local tradition.
The walls are painted in a neutral gold palette, with certain areas covered in red plaster pleats that pay homage to Cartier gift boxes.
Commenting on the new boutique, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are very pleased with the opening of the new Cartier boutique at Dubai Duty Free in Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.
“By placing the traveller experience at the heart of its travel retail concept, Cartier has brought the airport retail experience to new heights. We are excited to continue working with Cartier to offer true luxury shopping experiences tailored to the demands of modern travellers.”
Cartier moves to a new home at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok
On 1 March, Cartier moved to a strategic new location at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. The boutique is located in a high-traffic location after customs clearance at Level 4 Departures and is operated in partnership with King Power International.
It is the first store in Southeast Asia & Australian travel retail to offer Cartier’s full range of masculine, feminine and unisex watches and jewellery products.
The store features a striking 40-metre façade, decorated with a traditional Thai motif in gold. It boasts two wide entrances which enhance customer flow and is divided into well-defined product zones.
The subtle gold-toned interiors create a warm and luxurious shopping atmosphere that blends timeless and elegant design details with locally-inspired motifs and references.
Cartier and King Power International first partnered in 2004.
Commenting on the revamped boutique, King Power International Chief Merchandising Officer Antares Cheng said: “With Cartier, our longstanding partner, we proudly introduce the reinvigorated boutique at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which enables us to initiate contemporary conversations with clients as we continue to uphold our tradition of service in making travellers feel at home.”
