CHINA. Sunday (3 September) was a red-letter day for DFS Group and the Sino-Singapore Chongqing Airport Commercial Management Co at a dual inauguration that raised the quality bar for shopping at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, gateway to China’s fourth-biggest municipality.
The opening of DFS Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Boutiques in the domestic Terminal 3A formed a key part of the inauguration of Starry Galleria, the expansive, multi-brand, multi-retailer zone run by Sino-Singapore Chongqing Airport Commercial Management Co*, of which the DFS stores are an integral component.
{Look out for our more extensive report to follow, including an exclusive interview with DFS China President Nancy Liu and a profile of T3A’s wider retail offer}.
The LVMH/Robert Miller-owned travel retailer’s retail footprint at the Chongqing gateway covers more than 2,000sq m, one of Mainland China’s largest airport shopping spaces.
As reported, the Chongqing project represents a seminal development in DFS’s 63-year history – the first concession the travel retailer has won on the Chinese Mainland in a domestic terminal.
Echoing that fact, DFS said the inauguration marks a new beginning and a significant advancement of its ambitions in China.
The Starry Galleria and DFS Chongqing Jiangbei openings were graced by senior executives from key stakeholders. They included DFS China President Nancy Liu; Changi Airport Group CEO and Changi Airports International Chairman Lee Seow Hiang; Chongqing Airport Group Chairman and General Manager Dai Ke; and Chongqing Airport Group Deputy General Manager and Sino-Singapore Chongqing Airport Commercial Management Co. Ltd Chairwoman Chen Shiqin.
Addressing guests, Liu said, “I am honoured to introduce to our distinguished guests the DFS Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Boutiques. Chongqing is a special place for DFS because we won our first Chinese domestic terminal concession here. And it means so much to us to be able to work on this project with Sino-Singapore Chongqing Airport Commercial Management Co. Ltd.
“As a leading luxury travel retailer owned by the world’s largest luxury goods company, the DFS brand is synonymous with trust and excellence in the airport retail space. This April, Chongqing Airport Group presented DFS with the Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of our groundbreaking effort in elevating the airport commercial environment.
“In the future, we will work hand in hand with our strategic partners to create new retail legends. We look forward to working more closely with them to further elevate the travel retail shopping experience for consumers and fulfil our missions across multiple formats and channels in China.”
The DFS boutique space embraces an array of categories from fashion and accessories to jewellery and watches. Featured standalone boutique brands include Bvlgari, Valentino, Moncler, Qeelin, Montblanc, Zegna, Emporio Armani, Bally, Versace, MaxMara, Ralph Lauren, Chloé , Coach and Tory Burch. Three more brands will follow in coming months: Jimmy Choo, Longchamp and Tissot.
The DFS boutiques (including the Sunglasses store opened in January) occupy some 2,000sq m of retail space offering 33 brands soon to be bolstered by the trio mentioned above. The eclectic sunglasses range comprises 21 luxury brands, including LVMH-owned Thelios plus Luxottica, Safilo, Marchon and lines from Kering Eyewear.
The store designs and exteriors draw on Chongqing’s renowned local characteristics, highlighting the charm and stunning geographical features of the famed ‘Mountain City’.
“Our name is synonymous with trust and excellence in the airport retail space,” Liu said. “In the future we will work hand in hand with our strategic partners to create new retail legends and look forward to working more closely with them to further enrich the travel retail shopping experience for consumers and fulfil our tax and duty free mission in China.” 
*Note: In January 2019 Changi Airports International (CAI) and Chongqing Airport Group (CAGC) announced a partnership to develop the non-aeronautical business at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, part of wide-ranging Chongqing Connectivity Initiative between Singapore and Chongqing. CAI holds a 49% stake in the joint venture and CAGC 51%.
