Korean travel retailer Lotte Duty Free has today [31 May] reopened its Seoul Gimpo Airport store following a full renovation as both sales and traffic numbers soar.

Lotte, which secured a 10-year contract focused on beauty, fashion and other categories (excluding liquor & tobacco) in October 2021, added that sales through its temporary stores soared by over 60% in the last three months. 

International passenger traffic through the airport climbed 138% to hit 770,000 from January to April 2023, compared to the previous four months, according to the retailer. 

The revamped store offers a range of international cosmetics brands including La Mer, Le Labo and Hermès fragrances. 

It also features a large LED screen to promote Korean tourism and culture to tourists. 

The ‘joy of travel’

Next month, Lotte will unveil a large-scale sculpture called ‘Travel Scene’ to build on the theme of the joy of travel.

To mark the opening, Lotte gave tickets for the 32nd Lotte Duty Free Family Concert to the first customers who made a purchase in the refreshed store. 

Lotte is also giving away free gifts to celebrate the reopening, with the prize depending on the spend amount. 

“With the complete renovation of the store, we are able to offer a comfortable shopping environment and a wider variety of brands and products,” said Kim Mi-jin, manager of Lotte Duty Free Gimpo Airport, said in a statement [from translation].

“We will do our best to provide the joy of duty-free shopping to domestic and foreign customers who visit the Gimpo Airport store.”

‘Sparkling summer’ campaign

In addition to the reopening of its Gimpo store, Lotte Duty Free has also launched its Sparkling Summer promotion for Korean customers.

Up until 30 July, customers who purchase US$300 or more will have the opportunity to win tickets to Sydney, Australia or Tokyo, Japan, and stays at Lotte Hotel Jeju.

Earlier this month, Lotte teamed up with Lancaster to introduce the luxury skincare brand’s new Ligne Princière Collection via a series of skincare masterclasses.