ARGENTINA. London Supply Group has officially opened the Rio Gallegos Duty Free Zone, in the province of Santa Cruz, and started activities in the zone’s retail mall under the name Patagonia Shops.
The inauguration took place on 18 October in a ceremony attended by national and provincial authorities, duty free zone licensees and representatives from London Supply Group. London Supply said that more than 5,000 people visited the Duty Free Zone on its opening day, and the total visitor count during its first week reached 26,500.
The 4,000sq m mall houses 11 commercial spaces across various categories: tyres, automotive accessories and hardware; lighting and home automation; toys; household items and bazaar; electronics; athletic wear; baby and maternity accessories; watches and jewellery; dining and a food court.
Within this, the 700sq m Patagonia Shops offers perfumes, cosmetics and beauty treatments; spirits, tobacco and confectionery; travel accessories and luggage plus apparel and fashion accessories.
The Zone, with a total area of 200 hectares, is located on the outskirts of Rio Gallegos, capital of Santa Cruz province, in a prime location close to the airport, connecting to major routes through Patagonia, and linking the region to the border with Chile. Its strategic proximity to Punta Arenas Free Trade Zone in Chile offers residents and tourists a new local alternative, said London Supply, and will attract customers who used to shop across the border, it added.
London Supply said in a statement: “But this is only the beginning. Because of its large size and authorisations, the Rio Gallegos Duty Free Zone premises can accommodate more infrastructure and house many more shops and categories, making it not only an ever-growing first-rate commercial space, but a potential attraction and entertainment hub as well, comparable to the most advanced free trade zones in the world.”
The company noted that the project had been keenly awaited by the group, licensee partners and by the wider Santa Cruz community, adding that it “will have a very positive impact in the local and regional economy”.
