VIETNAM. Southern Airport Service Co (SASCO) has begun its sole status operation of the four renovated duty free shops at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
As previously reported, SASCO took sole charge of the operations after the five-year contracts held by a number of retailers in partnership with SASCO expired on 1 June.
SASCO had previously held 55% stakes in SASCO-Sutl Tax Free Emporium, a joint venture with Singapore’s Sutl Corp; SASCO-Sriwani Tax Free Emporium with Malaysian operator Sriwani; DFS SASCO Tax Free Emporium, a DFS Group-linked company; and SASCO-Imex Pan Pacific.
Imex Pan Pacific, run by Jonathan Nguyen retains a strong presence though. It has a supply, merchandising and management contract for liquor and tobacco. And the company’s Asia Wave operation will supply fragrances, cosmetics and some luxury items to SASCO.
SASCO spokeswoman Doan Mai Huong told The Saigon Times Daily yesterday that the Trade Ministry had licenced the state-owned company to go it alone with the four shops, which would continue to operate as normal. SASCO said it plans to significantly increase the retail space in line with new terminal developments.
