BRAZIL. Sky Duty Free celebrated the official opening of its first land border duty free store in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil on 4 May.
As reported, the independent travel retailer is offering a wide range of spirits, wine, tobacco products, perfumes & cosmetics, and food & confectionery at the 550sqm store. Sky Duty Free enjoys a prime position in the popular tourist destination of Foz do Iguaçu.
Sky Duty Free Director Alex Beridze told The Moodie Davitt Report that he was delighted that the store had opened and said he was looking forward to very strong business once the COVID-19 crisis ease.
He said the store’s opening was a big achievement during such testing times.“Considering the circumstances with the virus, we cannot complain,” Beridze said. “The citizens from here and the neighbouring areas are very happy that we are open.”
[In related news, Sky Duty Free has also been awarded the duty free contract at Foz do Iguaçu Airport, also known as Cataratas International Airport. Beridze added that the company will be announcing several new contracts in the months ahead. Sky Duty Free can be contacted at info@skydutyfree.com]
The company has received good support from many leading brands, including Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Hennessy, PMI and JTI, he said. Sky Duty Free is looking for more beauty, tobacco, beer and spirits brands, especially once business levels normalise post the COVID-19 crisis, he noted.
Foz do Iguaçu, located in the Brazilian state of Paraná, is gateway to the famous Iguaçu Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Foz do Iguaçu borders Puerto Iguazú in Argentina and the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este.
The Sky Duty Free store is the city’s first land border duty free store, and follows the Brazilian government’s 2018 decision to establish the channel. As reported, current legislation allows 33 Brazilian cities to open border duty free stores.
In an interview last December, Beridze outlined his confidence in the new Brazilian border trade. “Brazil is going to be a huge hit [for land border duty free],” he said. “We are already working on other locations and hope to open a few more shops in Brazil. Plus, we will tender on new opportunities that open up globally. As a company… we are looking to expand as fast as possible.
“We are in a very good location. We are right on the border with Argentina and Paraguay. We are exactly in the centre of town where everything happens. The borders are very nearby as are the waterfalls. We’re surrounded by hotels and all the hotel rooms are fully booked upfront for months. It’s amazing here.”
Beridze noted that intra-regional tourism and travel retail spending is set for a sharp boost following last December’s agreement between the Mercosur countries to increase the buying allowance for tourists travelling around the region to US$1,000.
Footnote: To contact Sky Duty Free email info@skydutyfree.com
