Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) officially inaugurated its Luxe Duty Free downtown shop in Manila on Friday (15 November).

The crowning of the off-airport shop comes just over one year since it soft-opened at the sprawling SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Nancy Binay, Chairperson of the Philippines’ Senate Committee on Tourism joined Vicente Pelagio A. Angala, Chief Operating Officer, DFP and Ramon Lopez, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

BURGEONING MERCHANDISE OFFER

DFPC COO Angala said the christening of Luxe Duty Free marked “the culmination of an idea that began years ago: An idea of a world-class duty free store that will put the Philippines as a top-of-mind shopping destination to boost the country’s shopping tourism.

“We acknowledged our vital role and to stay ahead of our competitors and to strengthen the Philippines as a great destination for travellers, we continue to explore ways to offer unique and extraordinary experiences that cannot be replicated easily.”

As reported, Luxe Duty Free boasts 3,000sq m of retail space over two floors and is positioned as a convenient and cost-effective shopping option to cater towards the swell of free independent travellers (FITs), group tours, cruise passengers and South East Asian tourists who visit.

The ground level prioritises fashion and luxury goods (Bally, Longchamp, Coach, Michael Kors, Samsonite, Swarovski, Tumi, Paul & Shark, Furla, Hogan, MCM and others); and liquor, tobacco and confectionery.

Meanwhile, a 1,000sq m mezzanine floor features a large assortment of international perfume and cosmetic brands (Bobbi Brown, Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Clarins, Clinique, Dior, Estée Lauder, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Jo Malone, La Prairie, La Mer, Shiseido, MAC, Gucci and others).

Luxe Duty Free also houses confectionery and wine and spirits to deliver options for balikbayans (overseas Filipinos), frequent travellers and foreigners.

HOMEGROWN BRANDS

Additionally, the shop places a strong emphasis on local, homegrown enterprises and boutique, artisanal brands for export through the Go Lokal Marahuyo store.

“With great success and opportunities, we partnered with DFPC to bring MSME (small and medium-sized enterprise) products to the travel retail market, a highly competitive market that requires a high degree of craftsmanship and design,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Luxe Duty Free’s merchandise, supply and management concessionaire for luxury and fashion goods Regent Asia possesses a large presence in perfume, cosmetics and fashion at the outlet, with more than 30 boutiques.

To read more about Luxe Duty Free, click here.

For an exclusive July video interview with Jose Maria ‘Chim’ Esteban III, Chairman of Regent Asia Group and Landmark Management Services, click here.

To read a June interview with Vicente Pelagio Angala, Duty Free Philippines Corporation, Chief Operating Officer, click here.