Shinsegae Duty Free today celebrated the opening of its new downtown store in Myeong-dong, Seoul.
The store is located on the eighth to 12th floors of the retailer’s long-time flagship department store. Currently it offers around 600 brands, while negotiations to attract further big luxury labels continue.
As reported, Shinsegae dramatically captured its first Seoul downtown duty free licence last November, winning the permit previously held by WalkerHill Duty Free.
Floors eight and nine are dedicated to luxury fashion, jewellery, watches; floor ten offers fragrances & cosmetics; and floors 11 and 12 feature confectionery, souvenirs and Korean products.
A Shinsegae spokesperson told The Moodie Davitt Report: “We took a different approach to provide a better shopping experience by adding artistic and entertainment aspects to the corners of Shinsegae Duty Free.”
A prime example is the ‘Mirror Carousel’ (Carsten Höller, 2005) on the 10th floor. “This is a gigantic carousel swing ride made of mirrors and light bulbs takes center stage, giving a fantasy atmosphere,” the company said.
The feature is surrounded by a huge display offering panoramic views of Seoul attractions, creating a museum-like atmosphere and providing “a distinct experience for high-end shoppers beyond good merchandise”, the spokesperson added.
The store will eventually house some 600 brands, including luxury jewellery and watch labels Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Roger Dubuis and Glashütte as well as high-end designer brands Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Fendi and Saint Laurent.
“And we have the largest number of beauty brands among all the local duty free shops (about 200 brands including 60 local cosmetics brands),” the spokesperson claimed.
Shinsegae Duty Free is fast emerging as one of Asia’s rising travel retail stars |
The Shinsegae store is one of two major new duty free operations set to open in Seoul. As reported, Doosan Corporation is poised to open its first Doota Duty Free store in Dongdaemun, Seoul. However the retailer this morning confirmed to The Moodie Report that the opening has been delayed from today to Friday 20 May. Dongdaemun is a popular tourism destination, especially among Chinese tourists who make up about half of the 7 million foreigners visiting the area every year.
Doosan was awarded its first-ever downtown duty free licence in the controversial licence bid late last year, winning the licence previously held by Lotte Duty Free for its Lotte World Tower shop.
A new force takes shape in Korean and Asian travel retail as Doota Duty Free is born. The store will now open on Friday, 20 May. |
