MEXICO. DFASS has been awarded the duty free concession for the International Cruise Terminal of Cozumel, Quintana Roo following an open tender.
The new contract is for a ten-year term and the space is expected to be turned over to the retailer in early 2016.
Located directly in front of the cruise pier, the new 10,000sq ft duty free shop will field 100% of the traffic as they disembark, DFASS noted.
As the cruise market in Cozumel is anticipating significant growth, DFASS said it expects to serve over 1.5 million passengers at the port in the first year with further annual increases over the contract term.
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Local flavour in every sense, from tequila to store design elements, will be a core feature of the new retail offer |
The newly renovated terminal is being expanded to cover over 35,000sq ft, with 10,000sq ft allocated to the duty free operation.
“As such, the International Terminal is poised to be the jewel of the Cozumel cruise market,” DFASS commented.
The new store will utilise local design elements coupled with a strong international brand presence. The open floor plan will facilitate maximum exposure and ease of shopping, DFASS said.
“In addition to a broad range of tequilas and regional spirits, DFASS will be featuring high-profile displays and brand personalisations from Pernod Ricard, including Chivas Regal, Absolut, Ballantine’s and Martell.
As the bid required a strong portfolio of key brands such as Estée Lauder, DFASS said that it will be working closely with The Estée Lauder Companies to broaden the traditional range of beauty brand options. As with Pernod Ricard, Estée Lauder brands will feature prominently to better target the international passenger. Additionally, a wide array of duty free and travel retail offerings from other liquor, tobacco, beauty and fashion houses will be incorporated.
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DFASS President of Ground Stores Jon Potash commented: “We are extremely excited about this important win. As DFASS continues to focus on expanding our airport and ground store business, the Cozumel concession represents an important step for our Group.
“Cozumel is one of the key tourist destinations for cruise ships in the Western Hemisphere, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to develop this duty free operation over the coming months”.
Besides its wide-ranging airline concession and supply business, DFASS operates numerous ground-based duty free concessions in several other high-profile destinations. These include Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Orlando Intl. Airport, Denver International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport where it was recently awarded the new duty free contract.
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