Bahrain Duty Free has opened a 64sq m premium watches boutique in its recently upgraded departures retail area at Bahrain International Airport.

 

The 1,500sq m phased upgrading of the departures retail area is now in its final stages with the existing confectionery section set to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.

 

The new watches store, which enjoys a prominent location on the main passenger promenade, offers a selection of international brands including Rolex, Omega. Breitling, Hublot, Tudor, Tag Heuer, Longines, and Raymond Weil.

 

The store officially opened on Monday, 16 January 2017 with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Bahrain Duty Free General Manager, Bassam Al Wardi and Bahrain Airport Company CEO, Mohammed Al Binfalah.

 

“We continue to focus on enhancing the experience received by our customers in everything we do, and quality is a key pillar of Bahrain Duty Free operations,” said Bassam Al Wardi, General Manager, Bahrain Duty Free.

 

 

“The addition of a dedicated personalised section for premium timepieces adds immensely to the value to the departures concourse offering.”

 

THE RIGHT STORE OPENING AT THE RIGHT TIME…

Mohammed Al BinFalah, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Company added: “Bahrain Airport Company is proud of its association over the years with Bahrain Duty Free and are extremely pleased with the addition of this exciting premium watch store area.

 

“It is testament to Bahrain Duty Free continued efforts in contribute substantially to the passenger experience at Bahrain International Airport.”

 

BDFSC quotes statistics from Deloitte’s Global Powers of Luxury Goods 2016 report, which apparently states that the travel retail channel currently accounts for around 40% of total global sector spend.

 

 

“With positive growth forecasts for international air traffic through to 2020 and beyond, luxury goods are retaining purchase appeal within the duty free trading environment,” adds BDFSC.

 

“Luxury very much has its place at Bahrain Duty Free, and by showcasing the most sought after watch brands, we are fulfilling our commitment to delivering simply better retail experience to our customers at Bahrain International Airport,” remarked Al Wardi.

 

The design of the new space is said to combine ‘sleek contemporary lines’ with a ‘warm, inviting colour palette’, which is designed to enhance the individual brand presence of the various watchmakers as well as support the customer journey through the departures retail experience. Digital screens inside the store also feature.

 

This latest opening follows the opening of the Q3 2016 departures concourse launch of Aer Rianta International’s Candy Cloud confectionery concept and the unveiling of the Middle East’s first Johnnie Walker House in the fourth quarter.

 

“This enhancement to the premium watch offering, along with new upscale listings within the beauty category, we believe we have added a further layer of exclusivity for our customers,” adds Al Wardi.

 

“This also applies to Candy Cloud as a first-of-its-kind store for the region and the innovative Johnnie Walker House experience.”