The full opening of all 19 stores at Singapore Changi Airport is a “quantum jump” for retailer Lotte Duty Free, CEO Kim Ju Nam has said.

Following the grand opening of 19 stores, including the Terminal 3 Wine & Spirits duplex, he described the Singapore operations as a “cornerstone” of the business’s international operations.

While Lotte won the contract to operate at Changi in 2020, the pandemic severely limited the retailer’s ability to operate.

Business “normalised” with the full opening of 19 locations in arrivals and departures across terminals 1-4 in December 2023. 

The total Lotte retail space at Changi exceeds 8,000sqm, making it the retailer’s largest overseas duty free operation.

In-store activities at the flagship Terminal 3 duplex store include tastings, 360-degree immersive media, a smart mirror for selfies, and a robot bartender to create and serve cocktails. There is also dedicated space for pop-up retail experiences. 

More than 430 alcohol and tobacco brands feature, including The Macallan, Johnnie Walker and Glenfiddich. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on 19 January to celebrate the full opening. It was attended by over 100 officials, including Lotte’s Kim Ju Nam, Changi Airport Group CEO Lee Seow Hiang, and Lotte Duty Free model Lee Jun-ho.

“Singapore Changi Airport will be the cornerstone for Lotte Duty Free to make a quantum jump as a global travel retail company,” Kim Ju Nam said at the ceremony.

“Lotte Duty Free will satisfy all multinational customers based on advanced shopping services and infrastructure together with Changi Airport.”

Changi handled around 70 million passengers prior to the pandemic. Its traffic has recovered to around 90% of 2019 levels. 

Lotte Duty Free said it expects passenger volumes to exceed pre-pandemic levels this year. It is targeting overseas sales in excess of 1 trillion won/US$746 million with the full Changi operations. 

Earlier this month, Changi revealed a trio of promotional windows for shoppers as it prepares to welcome in the Lunar New Year.