The Valiram Group has been appointed exclusive and sole retailer to manage and operate all stores on board the Star Cruises Asian fleet, comprising approximately 3,279sq ft of retail space, featuring multiple product categories including watches, jewellery, fashion and accessories, cosmetics, fragrances and confectionery.

The Kuala Lumpur-based company says that this ‘strategic collaboration’ with the Hong Kong-based Genting Group went live this month and it adds that it underlines Valiram Group’s strength ‘as one of the region’s leading luxury goods retailer and travel-retail specialists’.

Vessels on which Valiram will operate include the Superstar Virgo, Superstar Libra, Superstar Pisces and Superstar Aquarius. 

In addition to aforementioned product categories, Valiram says that passengers can also look forward to enjoying duty free prices when shopping on board. 

‘WORLD-CLASS OFFER’
Ashvin Valiram, Executive Director of the Valiram Group said: “We are extremely elated to secure this important retail concession on board Star Cruises. This demonstrates our experience, ability, commitment and passion in identifying exciting niche retail projects, and to continue to enhance our portfolio as the region’s leading specialist retailer.

“Retail is a business that requires the foresight to move and look out for the latest brands and trends. We will have a world-class retail offer on the spectacular Star Cruise liners aimed at the well-heeled holidaymaker and discerning global traveller.

“Together with Star Cruises timely repositioning of their Asian fleet, this presents a compelling opportunity to reach out to a captive audience in establishing new business opportunities”. The multi-brand concept boutiques are scheduled to open from April 2011 onwards. 

As Valiram says in its statement, Star Cruises has been a real pioneer of the Asian Cruise industry for the last 16 years and it is the leading cruise line operating in the Asia Pacific region. It has built its reputation by offering a diverse range of itineraries, defying the old adage that Asian travellers would not be attracted to cruise holidays.

[Star Cruises entered Travel Trade Gazette’s ‘Travel Hall of Fame’ last October’ at the 21st TTG Travel Awards. These highly-respected awards are given in recognition of outstanding achievements across the region’s travel industry and to date, there have only been seven inductees-Ed]