TOP 10 OPERATORS 9: DUTY FREE AMERICAS
stores in São Paulo Guarulhos Airport, along with one new duty paid store at Salvador Bahia International Airport. The latter was inaugurated in July. A complete renewal of two shops was also promised at Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre. “With the largest economy in Latin
America, Brazil continues to be a key market in our regional strategy,” added FAlic. “We are committed to the development of DFA’s Brazilian operations and continue to look forward to a prosperous future together with our local partners.” As of January 2019, DFA was
operating 236 stores across 180 North and South American locations offering cosmetics, tobacco, jewellery, wines, spirits and luxury. Further expansion seems almost inevitable. “Latin America is where we feel
the expansion is going to come from now,” he confirmed. “This is because we are expanding in countries where nobody else wants to invest.”
New chapter in Panama Over in Panama, where Falic resides and his home office is based, DFA is relishing the start of operations in the new Terminal 2 at Panama Tocumen International Airport. The contract, secured in 2018,
covers 1,000sq m in front of the Rolex outlet and strengthens is position at the airport having secured two of the three 10-year Terminal 1 concessions in 2017. Inaugurated on 29 April 2019,
the new Terminal 2 is spread over 116,000sq m and features 20 self- service kiosks, 20 new aerobridges and eight new remote boarding positions. The new facility, which was scheduled for completion in 2018 will have 20 gates once fully operational. “There are still delays with
The DFA perfume offer at Conghonas Airport
store on the Donna-Rio Bravo bridge is due to open next year. The new 1,000sq m Donna-Rio
Bravo bridge store will mirror the design and offer of most other UETA stores and carry liquor, perfume, cigarettes, watches and sunglasses. “We invest a lot in the small cities
and are proud to have become one of the largest employers,” said Falic. “We believe in America and will continue investing in the Americas, but we think the US is still important. Our aim is to continue growing on the border and in the airports.” Currently, the US business is stable
and positioning is strong, according to Falic. “Our heels are dug into the ground and it is hard to compete and remove us. “On the border, we really have a
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stronghold and also have very good airports which are exclusive to us.” Having completed the acquisition
Terminal 2,” revealed Falic. “They are trying to get it right. It is going to take some time.” While South America remains a
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of rival operator Pac Can Duty Free in 2018, which is located on the Pacific Highway connecting the towns of Blaine, Washington and Surrey on the Canada-US border, DFA is planning a major renovation in the vicinity. The Pac Can Duty Free store is
priority, DFA is pressing ahead with plans to open stores in the US. These include one shop in the
Texan city of Donna in Hidalgo County, which borders the Mexican city of Rio Bravo. The new UETA
OCTOBER 2019
located close to the DFA shop in Blaine and the plan is to demolish both outlets and build a brand new ‘mega duty free’ store. “We are developing plans
in terms of what we are going to build, but nothing has been built yet,” revealed Falic. “We
Leon Falic, Duty Free Americas
TOP 10 OPERATORS 69
increase on total sales in 2019, despite the delay of some store openings. “To be honest with you, our Macau business is very important and doing very well,” he said. “It is a great store and great business. We have refurbished the old store and done everything brand new.” Further Asian expansion is also
on the agenda. “I am not going to tell you where, but there are two countries we are looking at very seriously,” he concludes. «
“Latin America is where we feel the expansion is going to come from now. This is because we are expanding in countries where nobody else wants to invest.”
have to knock down both stores, but can’t leave the area unattended.” Aside from the Americas, Falic
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also spoke about the company’s store at the Venetian Resort Hotel in Macau. An upgrade of the store was completed in 2017, which was followed by a complete renovation. An official inauguration following the latest revamp was due to take place in early September. The outlet welcomes around
Established 1998
50,000 people daily and offers fragrances, watches, gifts, jewellery, travel-related merchandise and liquor and tobacco items. Falic is expecting a +3% or +4%
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