US. DFS Group has announced the completion of its second major US airport renovation at John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Continuing its strategy – announced this past June – of upgrading all of its airport retail operations across North America, the travel retailer’s latest achievement builds upon the official opening last week of its new concessions and boutiques at the new Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
At the newly opened JFK Terminal 4, where DFS is the sole duty free operator, the group now operates nine retail spaces. All DFS concessions and boutiques at JFK now incorporate a new identity (pictured). Highlighting iconic elements of New York City, the exclusive design now serves to further elevate the sense and spirit of the city from within the airport itself, DFS underlined.
“We are delighted to bring a new level of luxurious airport retail to world travellers at JFK Terminal 4”, said DFS Group North America Managing Director Polly Nelson.
“With new and innovative retail concepts such as our Prestige Fragrance area and an emphasis on iconic New York brands, many of which are North American Airport firsts and a new distinctly New York identity, we are elevating the airport retail experience to be on par with some of the city’s most renowned retail destinations”.
Bicoastal luxury evolution of airport retail
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At JFK, DFS offers a broad portfolio of luxury brands and products across key luxury categories including spirits, wine & tobacco; beauty & fragrances; watches; sunglasses and food.
The group has introduced several brands to the airport for the first time – MAC Cosmetics, Armani Privé, and Tom Ford – and opened the first Jo Malone boutique in an American airport. DFS has also become the first airport retailer worldwide to offer the New York-based brand Bond No. 9. Adding to this local touch, it operates a stand-alone Kiehl’s boutique as well, representing yet another distinctively New York brand.
DFS has also introduced exclusive luxury concepts within its retail floor. In its 6,600sq ft beauty floor, the group showcases a variety of Prestige Fragrances, bringing many luxury artisan and rare perfumeries’ collections for the first time to airport retail. Niche fragrance lines available through DFS at JFK include Penhaligon’s London, L’Artisan Parfumeur, The Different Company, and Bond No. 9. Additionally, DFS retails premium lines such as Hermès, Zegna, and Hugo Boss.
In June this year, DFS announced a significant commitment to upgrading all of its North American Airport retail space; today, more than 95% of those renovations have already been completed. With brand new facilities now opened at LAX and JFK’s T4, only San Francisco International currently remains under renovation. It is set to be completed in early 2014.
“This is an exciting time for DFS Group in North America as we continue to collaborate with our airport partners in enhancing the passenger experience through exceptional retail offerings,” added Nelson. “Not only have we invested more than US$50 million in these upgrades, we are confident that they will provide airport travellers with a heightened retail experience, elevating the very role that shopping plays in departing passengers’ journeys around the world.”
Since beginning development of its duty free facilities at JFK T4, DFS has upgraded 21,000sq ft of retail space, as well as renovating its existing concessions in Concourse A.
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DFS’s new Prestige Fragrances concept in JFK brings many luxury artisan and rare perfumeries’ collections for the first time to airport retail |
