Finally, Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) will undergo a serious revamp of many things old and jaded after some decades. This is to make it up to the times when the rest of the world’s duty free outlets have renovated and enhanced their offerings to focus more on the luxury market and the millennials as well.
First is the opening of the LUXE Duty Free late last year.
“We are coming up with a comprehensive branding, as we are launching our new store, the DFP LUXE or LUXE Duty Free that was developed to house the most upscale and high-end retail products and brands . We are anticipating more partnerships with luxury brands this year,” said Vicente Angala, Chief Operating Officer of DFPC.
LUXE Duty Free is located in the Pacific Drive. Mall of Asia complex in Pasay.
Second, is the renovation of the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in its original site at Sucat Road, Paranaque. Angala revealed that they have allotted PhP27.2 million for the project that will begin in the second quarter of this year, and will include long awaited improvements in the food court, among others.
Third, is the introduction of more homegrown products in line with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Go Lokal and close coordination with the Department of Tourism. Twenty seven brands are available at the Philippines Finest kiosk in the Luxe Duty Free while the Fiesta Mall has eleven brands.
“We believe that DFPC is an effective vehicle to promote Filipino creativity because our products are sold to departing passengers for their consumption abroad.The concept has steadily grown and we expect it to grow more with our opening of DFP outlets in Palawan and Bohol (Panglao) airports in the near future,” Angala elaborated.
Fourth, and most notable, is the third party online payment system that was recently launched.
Angala has great expectations for the DFPC’s online shopping system.
“One major factor of our growth in the future is the third party online payment solution and we have enlisted AliPay and, eventually, WeChat as we have already signed the contracts with them. We are looking at ways to develop our online shopping with the increasing popularity of on-line shopping thru DutyFreePhilippines.ph to give our Balikabayans and foreign tourists a wide array of duty free products,” Angala stated.
“What we have is in close coordination with the Bureau of Customs and immigration, registration should be approved by the Bureau. The first phase if you order is Pick Up at the Airport, second phase will be Delivered to Loved Ones. Both will be launched this year,” he added.
Last year, DFPC had a total consolidated sales of around USD217 million , a conservative growth from 2017 of USD213 million, which is around 2%. However, this was below the original target for 2018 which was pegged at USD225 million. For this year, target sales goal is USD 220 million.
Filipino tourists, balikbayans, and OFWs top the list of shoppers followed by Americans, Chinese, and Canadians.
The top best sellers are chocolates and confectionaries at 35%, then liquor, spirits, perfume, and cosmetics, fashion, and supermarket items followed. (Buddy Recio)