Duty Free LUXE store to feature local products

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC) will help promote local products to affluent international tourists visiting the country as its newest outlet will feature a Go Lokal shop, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Earlier this week, the Department of Tourism and DFPC launched LUXE, a high-end outlet at SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

“We are pleased to launch the LUXE, one of Duty Free’s world-class outlet stores in the Philippines that will cater to our balikbayans, tourists and frequent travelers,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

“Aside from our wide selection of imported products, Duty Free Philippines showcases the country’s finest products together with DTI’s Go Lokal shop, offering every Pinoy’s favorite pasalubong,” she added.

On Wednesday, Puyat led the walk through of the 3,000 square meter multi-level outlet store with DFPC chief operating officer Vicente Angala. Also present were SMDC chairman and CEO Henry Sy Jr., SM Prime Holdings president Jeffrey Lim, SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia, SM Supermalls chief operating officer Steven Tan and Landmark head Jose Maria Esteban.

“Duty Free Philippines’ LUXE supports our overall objective of boosting Philippine tourism and will contribute to economic growth,” Angala said.

“We invite everyone to visit LUXE for its world-class items for an affordable price,” he added.

Angala earlier said the new luxury store is set to target the affluent Southeast Asian tourist market.

“The international travelers market, especially the foreign tourists and tour groups who will be visiting the MOA complex, will enjoy the store’s extensive line-up of popular luxury fashion labels like Coach, Bally, Longchamp, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and famous fragrance and cosmetic brands such as Chanel, Estee Lauder, La Mer, La Prairie, Clarins, Mac, Dior, Lancome, Laneige, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Sulwhasoo, Shiseido and Korean label K Beauty, among others,” the agency said.

DFPC said LUXE is set to have its grand opening in November.

DFPC is the sole operator of duty and tax-free merchandising system in the Philippines. It operates duty and tax-free stores at international airports and seaports, selected hotels, tourist resorts, and commercial or trading centers throughout the country.

The agency said it remains true to its mandate of catering to the shopping needs of international travelers despite the proliferation of other retailers carrying imported goods and the growth of online shopping.

“When it comes to homecoming gifts or pasalubong, Duty Free Philippines strives to still be the place to shop,” it said.

DFPC added that store development and brand expansion efforts are among its current priorities.

“All these efforts are geared to further enhance the tourism attached agency’s retail presence to augment revenues and continually contribute to government’s tourism programs and projects,” DFPC said.

DFPC earlier opened a bigger arrival shop at NAIA Terminal 3.

The first duty free outlet was established at the arrival area of NAIA on May 2,1987, offering liquor, tobacco, fragrances and confectionery.

The departure shops at NAIA became operational after a month and a third outlet was opened at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu by the end of 1987. The Manila Hotel and Manila Garden Order Centers were added in 1988.

The first off-airport shop, the Fiesta Shopping Center, opened in 1989. It was an 8,000 sqm facility located across NAIA and was the country’s biggest duty free store then.

Fiestamall, DFPC’s flagship store, opened in 1997. It was built on a five-hectare lot, boasting of a 24,000 sqm meter selling area and state-of-the-art facilities.