Business Standard

Delhi Duty Free Services expects surge in footfalls

Image

Mihir Mishra New Delhi

As athletes and delegates from all over the world descend on the Capital for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Duty Free Services Pvt Ltd (DDFS), which manages and operates duty-free shops at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 3 (T-3), expects a surge in footfalls. “We are expecting a huge increase in footfalls at our store to up to 2,000 people a day during the Games. As of now, we have witnessed increase in footfalls only in the arrival side, but once the athletes and tourists leave, the departure side is also set to see a huge increase,” said Arun Barathi, chief operating officer of DDFS.

 

“Basically, shops in India sell lot of India-made ethnic goods and once the tourists leave, they would like to take a lot of them.”

DDFS is a joint venture among Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), Indian Duty Free Services (IDFS) and Dublin-based Aer Rianta International (ARI).

Meanwhile, DDFS is doing an exhibition, Eternal Gandhi. The exhibition, which started on September 16, will continue till October 20.

“The Gandhi section is our tribute to the father of the nation and has been a hit. We have seen five-fold jump from this section in the past few days. The major items attracting interests are Gandhi calendars, key chain and Crystal cube with ‘Gandhi’ inscribed in it,” said Barathi.

Opened in July, the duty-free shop offers the best of whisky from around the world, including Scotland, the finest of premium cigars from Cuba, Honduras and Dominican Republic.

“We offer the finest single malt whisky at our shop inside the airport and cost of products at our shop is competitive with any other duty-free shop in the world,” said Barathi.

The store also offers a specialty fashion area at the international departure, selling the latest fashion and accessories like Hugo Boss, Mont Blanc, Samsonite Black, Swarovski and MCM. 

As athletes and delegates start coming for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Duty Free Services Pvt Ltd (DDFS)-which runs the duty free operations in T-3 terminal of Delhi airport expects a huge increase in footfalls.

“We are expecting a huge increase in the footfall at our store to up to 2,000 people a day during the Games. As of now, we have witnessed increase in footfall only in the arrival side of the but once the athletes and the tourists leave the departure side is also set to see a huge increase,” said Arun Barathi, Chief Operating Officer of DDFS Ltd.

“Basically shops in India sell lot of India-made ethnic goods and once the tourists leave they would like to take a lot of them,” Barathi added.

DDFS is a joint venture company between the airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), Indian Duty Free Services (IDFS) and Dublin-based Aer Rianta International (ARI).

Meanwhile, DDFS is doing an exhibition titled Eternal Gandhi and given a portion of the shopping space to it. The exhibition started on September 16 and will continue till October 20.

“The Gandhi section is our tribute to the father of the nation and has been a hit. We have seen five times jump from this section in the past few days. The major items attracting interest are Gandhi calendars, key chain and Crystal cube with Gandhi inscribed in it,” said Barathi.

Open in July, the duty free shop at the Delhi airport offers the best of whisky from around the world including Scotland the finest of premium cigars from Cuba, Honduras and Dominican Republic.

“We offer the finest single malt whisky at our shop inside the airport and cost of products at our shop is competitive with any other duty-free shop in the world,” said Barathi.

The store also offers a specialty fashion area at the international departures selling the latest Fashion and accessories range from luxurious brands like Hugo Boss, Mont Blanc, Samsonite Black, Swarovski and MCM.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Oct 04 2010 | 12:55 AM IST

Explore News