RUSSIA. Runway Duty Free last week opened its tenth outlet at Moscow Domodedovo International Airport in the VIP lounge.
Runway Duty Free VIP will offer high-end whiskies and cognacs, cigars, exclusive perfume and cosmetics travel sets, leather goods, scarves and ties geared to the airport’s discerning VIP passengers.
Runway Duty Free General Manager John Moriarty explained: “We have had a showcase in the VIP lounge since early in the year but we could not trade there as both departing and arriving passengers mix in the one area. But we now have this resolved with customs and border guards and opened the unit in an area that is actually airside.
“We expect the unit to be very popular as the VIPs can purchase in a quiet and suitable environment before they leave the area to board their flights”
Moriarty added: “Opening VIP is the culmination of a very busy year for us, having opened ten units in the past 13 months. We are concentrating on getting ready for the busy Christmas and New Year period which we expect to be huge as the first 10 days of January are holidays here in Russia and we’ll have lots of passengers departing before and after the New Year”.
Runway General Director Alexey Osipov commented that October and November have been very good months for business with the continued increase in passengers at Domodedovo plus the arrival of Thai Airlines. The retailer has also celebrated the first anniversary of its Swarovski store and recently opened the Runway Fashion unit.
He said: “For the month long Swarovski anniversary, we gave each customer a gift of a small crystal travel case which was very well received by passengers and represents our success in the first year with our co-operation with Swarovski.
“Sales in our first year have exceeded all expectations and goes to prove the strength of Swarovski as a brand and also Russians’ interest in the product, predominately in the jewellery but also for collectors of the crystal figures.”
Runway Fashion is located on the main Gallery area at Domodedovo. It is an extension of the retailer’s wide fashion and accessories range in the lower ground floor store. The range on offer in the new outlet is predominately bags, scarves and ties. Moriarty commented: “Bags have become such an accessory for Russians that we are doing big sales of both men’s and ladies’ bags.”
NOTE: In November The Moodie Report print edition profiled Runway Duty Free. Click here to read the article.
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