US. Duty Free Americas (DFA) has been awarded a seven-year lease to run the first-ever duty free shop at San Diego International Airport.
DFA will design, build and operate the 1,201 sq ft store in Terminal 2 East post-security. It is targeted to open on 1 December.
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority determined that the level of international enplanements will now support a duty free store because of a new service to Tokyo, which begins on 2 December. This is in addition to current international services to London, Mexico and Canada.
DFA Co-Owner Simon Falic said: “We are proud to be the very first duty free company to operate at the San Diego International Airport and are excited about the airport’s commitment to attract international traffic, particularly the recent addition of non-stop service on JAL to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.
“Our US Airport Division now extends coast to coast and operates in 14 international airports throughout the United States that serve numerous worldwide destinations.
“The San Diego location is also a natural fit for Duty Free Americas logistically, because we already have a significant presence in San Diego County. Our Southern Border Division operates five stores there, including our 10,000 sq ft flagship store in San Ysidro at the Mexican border, as well as our 24,000 sq ft warehouse.
“Finally, as the largest American-based duty free [retail] company, we take great pride in the fact that our new duty free store will be located in an area with such an historic and ongoing US Armed Forces presence.”
Increased international service is a strong focus, the Airport Authority said. Some US$2.3 billion is spent each year by visitors who arrive by air to San Diego, and international visitors tend to stay longer and spend more than domestic travellers, it noted.
“We look forward to providing duty free shopping to our international travellers,” said Nyle Marmion, Manager of Concession Development for the Airport Authority. “Our goal is to provide our customers with a wide variety of options, and this duty free store will further expand our offerings.”
DFA’s store will sell liquor, tobacco, chocolate, fragrances and other traditional duty free products.
The shop is in addition to a wide range of new dining and shopping options coming to the airport as part of the Concession Development Program.
