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Philippe Fontalba (left) and Emmanuel de Place: focused on developing LS Travel Retail’s fashion business in Asia |
ASIA PACIFIC. LS Travel Retail ASPAC has appointed Philippe Fontalba to the newly-created role of Luxury, Fashion and Accessories Director. Fontalba, who previously worked for LS Travel Retail ASPAC’s sister company Aelia in Paris, will report to the retailer’s Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel de Place.
Fontalba has 15 years’ experience in travel retail, having served as Specialist Concept Sales Manager at Aelia before moving to Asia in June 2010 to help LS Travel Retail set up its fashion & accessories business at Singapore Changi Airport, where the company operates the multi-brand concession in terminal two. In his new role he will support LS Travel Retail’s “continued focus” on the fashion sector in Asia.
Commenting on the appointment, de Place said: “We have strong ambitions for the growth of our Luxury and Fashion business in the region, especially with the upcoming opportunities at Hong Kong International Airport.
“We are committed to delivering a combination of the best travel retail experience and unique services to create store environments and a level of customer engagement that go beyond travellers’ expectations. We are continuing to reinforce the already strong local ASPAC team, building upon the 60 years of luxury fashion experience we have in Europe and on our commitment to delivering proven results for both travellers and airports.”
Fontalba added: “The luxury fashion market is strengthening in Asia and it’s a good opportunity to continue developing good relationships with brands and landlords. Since the commencement of our luxury fashion stores in Sydney International Airport (Podium), and at Singapore Changi (The Fashion Gallery), LS Travel Retail has established two successful multi-brand stores with the latest selection of internationally renowned luxury designer fashion brands.
“We are also opening two new stand-alone luxury boutiques in Changi Terminal 1, Longchamp and Dunhill, extending and enhancing the fashion offer at Changi and making it even more irresistible for travellers. There is a huge potential for luxury fashion in the region, and combined with Aelia’s world-class specialist retail expertise, we are determined to deliver insights, innovation and exceptional results to partners throughout Asia and the Pacific.”
About LS Travel Retail ASPAC
LS Travel Retail ASPAC, a division of the Lagardère Services group, is Asia Pacific’s largest news and books travel retailer and operator of the Relay and Newslink concepts. Its portfolio includes airport luxury fashion outlets including The Fashion Gallery in Singapore Changi T2 and Podium in Sydney. The retailer runs the duty free concession at Nouméa airport in New Caledonia.
The company also operates speciality retail concepts including So Chocolate (Confectionery), Virgin (multimedia), Discover (gifts and souvenirs), Kaboom (toys), Lonely Planet (travel essentials) as well as a number of branded stores including jewellery brand Pandora and Billabong (fashion).
In total LS Travel Retail ASPAC operates more than 250 outlets in airports in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
