UAE. Falic Group, owners of Duty Free Americas (DFA), has struck an agreement to acquire 100% of DFS Group’s luxury travel retail business at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, subject to customary closing conditions.
In a statement, the company said the agreement will provide DFA “with an immediate, scaled presence in one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing travel retail markets, accelerating its luxury retail and regional growth strategy, establishing a strong platform for future expansion in the Middle East and Africa”.
Falic Group said the concessions being transferred to DFA include “some of the most coveted brands in luxury and contemporary fashion, watches & jewellery, and sunglasses”, with Gucci, Hermès and Bulgari boutiques among them.
The move builds on another recent contract gain in the UAE, with DFA named as travel retail partner at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in June.
Falic Group President Leon Falic said, “The acquisition of the luxury travel retail concessions at Abu Dhabi Airport marks a key milestone in our Middle East growth strategy and further expands our airport footprint and luxury retail presence.
“We are delighted to partner with one of the most prestigious airports globally and we warmly welcome the airport, brands and customer partners to our DFA family as we begin this new chapter together.
“Duty Free Americas and Abu Dhabi Airports share an ambitious vision to further develop and elevate the luxury travel retail offering together.
“Plans include the incorporation of new flagship brands and expanded footprints for existing top-performers, as well as innovative open-air retail areas which will promote a more flexible passenger experience and drive conversion.”
Abu Dhabi Airports Chief Commercial Officer Carsten Nørland said: “This agreement marks a deliberate step forward in enhancing the award-winning commercial ecosystem at Zayed International Airport.
“DFA brings global travel retail expertise that will help us deliver a more dynamic and value-driven retail environment, aligned with the evolving expectations of our passengers and our long-term commercial ambitions.”
DFA ranked eighth (and DFS 12th) among the world’s leading travel retailers in 2025, according to The Moodie Davitt Report’s recently published rankings of the leading industry players based on 2025 turnover. Click here for more from a special report in our July/August Magazine.
The move to exit the Zayed International Airport business aligns with other DFS Group divestments following a comprehensive review of the luxury travel retailer’s global store network, revealed by Chairman & CEO Ed Brennan in an interview with The Moodie Davitt Report in November 2024. ✈
