URUGUAY/BRAZIL. Duty Free Americas (DFA) has opened a 10,500sq m Panda Free Shop on the Uruguay-Brazil border, the biggest store in the Falic family group’s history.
The store, opened on 27 November, forms part of the extensive Rio Branco Shopping zone. Panda Free Store includes a wide array of retail and other consumer services, including a pharmacy, optics and a money exchange.
It has the only national and international bus terminal in the area and an open promenade with gardens and playgrounds, a food court and a car park with capacity for 700 vehicles. It will soon also incorporate two large entertainment rooms for children and adults.
Each area of the Panda Free Shop is thematic. Amenities include a Wi-Fi zone, a children’s area and the only Gaming Zone on the border. It also houses what DFA described as one of the best wine cellars in South America, offering a “vast” selection of high-end wines.
A food and drink area provides a gourmet experience to visitors, who can enjoy premium chocolates and sweets, over 25 brands of beers from around the world, various premium whiskeys and single malts, and an extensive wines line-up.
A diverse fashion range extends from entry point items to the latest collections from designer and premium labels such as Tommy Hilfiger, Desigual, Polo Ralph Lauren, Under Armor, Nike and Calvin Klein. The 2,000sq m fashion space includes clothing from America Today, a line focused on teenagers, Harvard and the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club.
Accessories also enjoy a strong presence with personalised spaces dedicated to renowned names in optics and watchmaking. Brands include Michael Kors, Diesel, Citizen, Guess, Swatch, Invicta and Tommy H and an exclusive high-end area featuring Montblanc, Bvlgari and TAG Heuer.
An extensive fragrances and cosmetics zones features top international names such as Lancôme, Dior, Chanel, Carolina Herrera, Bulgari, Armani and make-up brand NYX. Victoria’s Secret has a 60sq m store offering a range of panties, apparel, beauty items and accessories.
Products and services for the young include baby accessories, inflatable pools and a wide variety of games and toys from brands specialising in children’s entertainment such as Lego, Hasbro and Mattel. A fun corner is dedicated exclusively to Disney, offering backpacks, lunch boxes and more games.
An electronics sector has tables showcasing the latest notebooks, cell phones, tablets and smart watches. There are alos spaces for Apple, JB, Marshall, Bang & Olufsen and Bose.
Some 720sq m of space has been allocated to bazaar items, kitchen and custom furniture by Cuori, Magefesa, Pasabache and Joseph, a signature brand that can only be found in Panda Free Shop. This zone also includes a range of camping products from brands including Shimano, Shilba, Gamo, Muela, Trento, Opinel, National Geographic, Bestway and Intex. It also offers tools from the Good Year, Milwaukee, Bahco and Goldex brands.
DFA said that as part a strong commitment to the development of the area – and as part of a second-stage development for Rio Branco Shopping – an 80-room hotel will be added.
