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Mahendra Patel: A great pioneer of duty free in Fiji |
FIJI. The Motibhai Group is counting down to a 1 November opening for its enlarged and updated store at the Sheraton Fiji in the Denarau Island resort and residential complex, close to Nadi International Airport.
The Sheraton Prouds – the flagship among Motibhai’s six hotel stores – is undergoing wholesale renovation that will extend its floor space by half to about 160sq m.
Motibhai’s activity is part of the Sheraton’s FJ$32.6 million (US$22 million) makeover, which has obliged closure for a six-month period. The Prouds store has been trading since the Sheraton opened in 1987.
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Motibhai Group, a Fijian travel retail powerhouse |
“Prouds is located in the central lobby area and we have been able to capitalise on its location by enhancing the already high visibility through generous use of glass throughout its perimeter and an open-plan design,” commented Mahendra Motibhai Patel, Chairman and CEO.
“Watches and beauty products will feature strongly. There will be a shop-in-shop for Omega, Rolex, Tag Heuer and Seiko, along with personalised walls for Chanel, Lancôme, Dior and Kenzo.” Motibhai will also introduce new jewellery lines to the outlet.
Further hotel developments will follow. In Q1 2009 renovation will be undertaken at Prouds in the Shangri-La Fijian resort, with the store remaining in its existing 130sq m location.
It doesn’t stop there for the Nadi-based group. Mahendra Patel talked The Moodie Report through plans for renovation of its Prouds departure duty free store at Nadi International, and preliminary work is underway on building a new corporate headquarters close to the airport.
* NOTE: The full interview will feature in an extended Fiji report in the October issue of The Moodie Report Digital Print Edition, written by Peter Dowling, The Moodie Report’s Special Correspondent for Latin America and Asia Pacific. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Peter can be contacted at pdaz@clear.net.nz
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