DFS Group has unveiled its third major US airport concession upgrade at San Francisco International Airport – an important US gateway for Asians.

 

Today, more than half of the revenue generated from DFS’s SFO concessions comes from Asian visitors to the city and this latest development is part of DFS Group’s overall $50m investment in its North American operations, which has already included last year’s major $25m upgrade and rebranding at Los Angeles’ New Tom Bradley International Terminal – plus major renovations and upgrades at the airports of New York JFK and new general merchandise facilities at San Francisco Airport (SFO).

 

Congratulating DFS on this latest new opening, John L. Martin, Director of San Francisco International Airport said the city attracts nearly 17m visitors a year and has been named the number one city to visit in the US some 19 times by leading international media giant, Condé Nast. He added that most of these visitors pass through the airport and SFO’s management is pleased to be continuing its partnership with DFS.

 

The San Francisco Tourism Association (SFTA) added that there were approximately 400,000 more visitors to the city in 2013, a year-on-year visitor increase of 2.4%. Asia represents the second largest overseas visitor market to San Francisco and is said to be growing rapidly.

 

 

President and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association (SFTA) Joe D’Alessandro praised the completion of the DFS renovation. He said: “Tourism remains a vitally important contributor to San Francisco’s overall growth and development, welcoming nearly 17 million visitors who spent a record-breaking $9.38 billion last year.

 

PREMIUM RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

DFS says that the newly-renovated concessions at SFO focus on creating a premium airport retail environment in terms of product selection and quality services, alongside ‘a seamless shopping experience’.

 

Commenting on the new development, DFS Group’s Managing Director, North America, Polly Nelson said the retailer is ‘excited to be announcing the substantial completion of DFS’s 18-month renovation’ of its North American retail businesses.

 

She said: “As the sole duty-free operator at SFO, our vision is to meet the changing needs of travellers by elevating the customer experience, and delivering on our promise to create an unforgettable, delightful and memorable experience that captures the spirit and culture unique to San Francisco.”

 

DFS is also the master concessionaire in the International Terminal, managing almost 58,000sq ft of concession space across a broad spectrum of luxury brands and products across core categories of luxury, including beauty & fragrances, and watches & jewellery.

 

 

LOCAL FLAVOUR

The retailer also offers local souvenirs and gifts, including the world famous Ghirardelli chocolates, Thatcher’s Gourmet Popcorn and Napa Soap (hand made luxury soap products from the Napa Valley).

 

New stores now open include boutiques for Gucci, Coach, Burberry and Hermès, plus Japanese beauty brand SK-II, jewellery and watches brand Chopard, and a new upmarket wine store featuring local California wine, including Screaming Eagle, Duckhorn, Diamond Creek, Hanzell, Stag’s Leap and Silver Oak.

 

DFS has also opened its confectionery concept ‘Sweetravels San Francisco’, which it describes as the ‘first-of-its-kind concept’ featuring a private San Francisco-themed label which includes various chocolate, cookies and candy lines.

 

 

DFS’ confectionery concept store, ‘Sweetravels’ opened in June.

 

Opened back in June, ‘Sweetravels San Francisco’ has been customized to reflect the local culture, offering the city’s iconic chocolate brand, Ghirardelli, as well as classic confectionery favourites such as Gummy Bears, Jelly Beans and Chocolate Covered Oreos.

 

In addition to the upgraded features and new stores at SFO, DFS has also introduced its relatively new signature ‘DFS’ logo incorporating an image of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[TOP IMAGE: Clockwise: Mike Osorio, Senior VP, Organizational Change Management of DFS Group; John L Martin, Director of San Francisco International Airport; Philippe Schaus, Chairman and CEO, DFS Group; Polly Nelson, Managing Director, North America, DFS Group; and June Guzman, SFO General Manager, DFS Group].