Mumbai DF celebrates its first year birthday

By Doug Newhouse |

Mumbai Duty Free (MDF) is running a series of ‘unique and attractive offers’ as part of the DFS Group/Flemingo International joint venture operation’s one-year anniversary celebrations.

 

These ‘specials’ include exclusive pre-order offers, a Lucky Seat Promotion, limited period discounts on best-selling chocolates, fragrance promotions and beauty concierge services, providing complimentary makeovers.

 

At 1,700sq m, the duty free arrivals walk-through store has proved vitally important as it accounts for 60% of all sales and also features some of the best value core category deals, as well as ‘an elaborate supermarket’ and a fashion watches collection. These will shortly be joined by the launch of a new Gourmet Food Section.

 

India is a huge whisk(e)y market and this is almost a major category in its own right at Mumbai Duty Free, with Johnnie Walker the clear number one brand.

 

 

‘A YEAR OF MANY FIRSTS…’

In total, the joint venture operates three departure stores and the aforementioned arrival outlet covering total space of over 15,500sq m at Mumbai International Airport T2, in what is the largest duty free shop in India. The shops cover core concessions selling liquor, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics and confectionery.

 

Looking back at 2014, the JV company says proudly that 2014 was ‘the year of many firsts’, as it explained: “From launching exclusive products (e.g. Johnnie Walker Black Label Mumbai edition pack) to giving away a luxury car, MDF stands committed to continue to offer the best travel retail experience to customers.

 

“These include services like pre-order, VIP Concierge and more. With over 50 digital screens and three video walls placed strategically across the stores, MDF stays connected with its customer at all times.”

 

MDF points to more than 4,000 products from 52 luxury brands in the Mumbai Duty Free beauty area in departures.

 

 

‘LARGEST BEAUTY STORE IN INDIA’

Describing the layout of the operation today, the company says the ‘prestigious’ main departure store with its walk-through format covers an area of 2,500sq m, with various shop-in-shop concepts, including the world’s first travel retail dedicated Johnnie Walker House; an ‘exclusive’ high end Cigar Room with a walk-in humidor; and The Whisky Shop, offering more than 80 single malt whisky variants aimed at whisk(e)y connoisseurs and customers.

 

By contrast, the beauty area extends over 2,100sq m, consisting of shop-in-shops for fragrance and cosmetics brands which include Chanel, Dior, MAC, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, Clarins and others. In all, MDF claims there are more than 4,000 products from 52 luxury brands in the Mumbai shop, making it ’the largest store for ‘Beauty’ in India.

 

The JV also points to its ‘highly colourful confectionery zone’ in the centre of the walkway, where it sells more than 350 types of chocolate from over 30 brands on heavily personalised gondolas.

 

Promotions are an ongoing part of daily operations at Mumbai International Airport Terminal 2.

 

 

‘A YEAR OF BUILDING…’

Manishi Sanwal, MD-Mumbai Duty Free says, “This has been a year of building for us and we continue to understand our consumers more, develop our team and respond to opportunities”.

 

Last, but not least, the JV also promotes a high end gourmet Indian Food Store carrying special products produced in different states in India, including Indian Tea, Coffee, local chocolates and selected Indian pre-prepared food, spices and sweets.

 

The joint venture also points out that it also runs four specialist shops in New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport.

 

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