INDIA. Delhi Duty Free Services (DDFS)*, a joint-venture company between DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), IDFS (Indian Duty Free Services) and ARI (Aer Rianta International) has successfully opened some 30,000sq ft of retail space at the new Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
DDFS said it is now the single largest duty free retailer in India. T3 ranks as the sixth-largest airport in the world with a 34 million passenger handling capacity, the company pointed out.
It commented: “As India’s progressive economy continues to grow, we see exciting opportunities within airport retailing, thus ensuring Delhi Duty Free is established as one of the world’s most prominent travel retail shopping experiences and destinations.”
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Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder: Delhi Duty Free comes to life |
Delhi Duty Free offers an extensive range of products across all categories, including perfumes, cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, confectionery and Indian products, the latter housed in a destination merchandise section called Discover India at DDF. The company described the offer as an “unmatched retail environment in India”.
Delhi Duty Free Services CEO Nicholas Goddard Palmer said: “India as a travel destination represents an environment that is unique and intrinsic only to itself. Delhi Duty free aims to provide travellers a truly unparalleled shopping experience in a unique and exciting retail environment.
“We have worked very hard to invest in specific training of our young and enthusiastic team members; sourcing the very best international and local products and brands; and [focused on] logistics, to ensure the product is delivered to the highest possible standard and in our pricing, which is internationally benchmarked.
“It’s not all about selling; we invite our passengers to experience, sample, taste and even learn from their visits, by participating in some of the more unique categories we present, such as Uisge Beatha (Gaelic for “˜water of life’) our wonderful section of single malt whiskies, our cigar collection presented in both Arrivals and Departures, and our specialist Indian teas.”
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A world-class wines and spirits offer is at the forefront of the retailer’s product range |
The offer includes several firsts for India, the company said. These include the award-winning Uisge Beatha concept, started at the new Larnaca Airport in Cyprus – billed as “˜The Ultimate Malt Experience Zone’.
“This is an innovative whisky concept developed to showcase malt whisky exclusively from Scotland that promises to provide travellers with an overwhelming choice and a unique whisky experience,” the company said. “It offers a dedicated space to travellers where they learn not just about the origins of the whisky but also taste it and seek specialist advice.”
Another first for India is the launch of walk-in humidors, offering premium cigars from Cuba, Honduras and Dominican Republic, available at both arrivals and departures.
“Operating at T3, the sixth-largest terminal in the world with a 34 million passenger handling capacity, DDFS expects huge footfall and sees enormous scope for the growth of airport retailing in India,” Palmer commented. “With this footfall, DDFS aims to convert Delhi into a much sought-after duty free shopping destination.”
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Attractive shop entrances and merchandising, linked to a diverse product range should drive footfall significantly |
The retailer said it is offering some of the most exciting marketing campaigns seen by travellers in India. Promotional space includes 36 LCD walls (52″ each) and four video walls. The high-end integrated audio-visual display will allow the retailer to continuously reach out to travellers and run brand promotions either independently or as integrated campaigns, it said.
Uniforms of the sales associates and other staff have been designed by leading Indian designer Rajesh Pratap Singh. Called the “˜Jawahar Look’, these uniforms evoke Indian traditions while also maintaining a contemporary look.
Additionally, DDFS will soon launch its online portal (www.delhidutyfree.co.in).
NOTE (1): A special report on Delhi Terminal 3 will appear in The Moodie Report Print Edition for September, which features the key travel retail markets of Turkey, Russia, India and China.
NOTE (2): The Moodie Report India, part of our dedicated regional news section on this website, contains all stories on India’s travel retail industry dating back to early 2003. You can access it via the dropdown menu on our home page under Regional News or by simply clicking here.
*ABOUT DELHI DUTY FREE SERVICES PVT LTD
Delhi Duty Free Services Pvt. Ltd. (DDFS) is a joint venture company between DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), IDFS (Indian Duty Free Services) and ARI (Aer Rianta International). The parrtnership was awarded the concession to manage and operate the Duty Free Shops at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi; operating within the new T3 terminal.
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