Dufry Group refurbishes WDF store on P&O Ferries’ Pride of Burgundy vessel

By Andrew Pentol | Thursday, 13 June 2019 15:03

Left-right: Sam Bowers, Retail Team member, Fred Creighton, CEO, UK and Northern Europe, Dufry, Janette Bell, CEO, P&O Ferries and Stephanie Poulain, Retail Team Member at the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In further Dufry news, the company has officially launched its refurbished World Duty Free store onboard P&O Ferries’ Pride of Burgundy vessel. The renovation is the first to be completed across the 14-ship fleet.

The 11-deck ship which has operated on the Dover to Calais route since 1993, makes eight crossings daily, carrying 530 cars and 1,420 passengers.

Operated by Dufry under its World Duty Free brand, the 280sq m walkthrough will offer customers a selection of international and local brands across the main categories including beauty, liquor, food and confectionery, tobacco, fashion and accessories including sunglasses, toys, souvenirs and travel essentials.

STRATEGIC VISION

In order to fulfil P&O’s strategic vision to deliver the next generation of ships and an ‘unrivalled experience’ for customers onboard its ferries, the company outsourced certain elements it had previously handled itself, including the retail operations.

According to the Dufry, the P&O Ferries strategy of delivering an enhanced customer experience fitted well with the World Duty Free brand. Dufry says it is delighted to work with P&O Ferries in this new partnership across its 14 ships. Working closely with P&O Ferries to transition the business, Dufry also undertook a full rebrand of the stores.

Eleven stores on 11 ships have already been fully rebranded, with the remaining three scheduled for completion in July. Two of these 11 stores (Pride of Burgundy and Pride of Kent) have also been fully refurbished. Refurbishment work in the other stores will take place over the next 12 to 18 months.

Fred Creighton, CEO at Dufry for UK and Northern Europe commented, “We are extremely delighted to be working with Janette and her team to realise their vision for the customer, which partners with that of World Duty Free. An excellent start and we look forward to many years of success together.”

The 280sq m walkthrough will offer customers a selection of international and local brands across the main categories including beauty, liquor, food and confectionery, tobacco, fashion and accessories including sunglasses, toys, souvenirs and travel essentials.

Janette Bell, CEO, P&O Ferries added: “Our vision is to put the customer at the heart of everything we do and I am delighted that we have transformed the shops on board our ships by partnering with World Duty Free.

“We are now able to offer our passengers the very best retail experience — in line with what they expect at an airport — by combining the undisputed number one name in travel shopping’s expertise and range with the exceptional customer service of our onboard teams that will continue to make the P&O brand special.”