RUSSIA. Imperial Duty Free — a joint venture between Gebr. Heinemann, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport and Greenway — has opened a Bulgari mono-brand boutique at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Terminal C.
The boutique occupies 110sq m of retail space and offers the Roman luxury house’s jewellery, watches, leathergoods and accessories lines.
The boutique, according to the partners, adds another jewel to their portfolio of luxury stores at the airport. Bulgari’s eight-point Condotti star welcomes clients at the entrance which leads to an open façade designed in striking marble elements. A large glass chandelier hangs above the space, while an exclusive VIP lounge offers a private space for customers to try on Bulgari’s high-jewellery products.
“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of our most recent Bvlgari airport flagship, a unique luxury boutique bringing a distinctive Roman flair to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport,” commented Bulgari Travel Retail Europe Managing Director Jonathan Brinbaum.
“Developed in partnership with Imperial Duty Free and our longstanding travel retail partner Gebr. Heinemann, the new flagship bears testimony of Bulgari’s and our partners’ resilience through these historically challenging times for travel retail and signals a continued investment in the success of this venture.
“Built to surprise and delight the passengers of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, the boutique look and feel are reminiscent of a luxurious Roman home, gracefully welcoming our clients to discover Bulgari’s jewellery, watches and accessories collections.
Brinbaum added: “The VIP lounge offers a unique experience and the right atmosphere to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of Bulgari High Jewellery and unique watchmaking pieces. With this incredible space, powered by the dedication and savoir-faire of the local team, we are truly confident in the success of this project, reassuring our belief — imprinted in the eight-point Condotti star that welcomes our clients to the store — that all roads lead to Rome.”
The largest airport in Russia, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport is a major aviation hub for travellers from Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. The Bulgari brand is especially popular in the location, the partners said, and is expected to significantly boost sales in the coming years.
Gebr. Heinemann Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director of Sales Oleg Zhytomyrsky commented: “Bulgari is one of the world’s best-known and most sought-after luxury jewellery brands. We are delighted to open the mono-brand boutique with our valued partner Imperial Duty Free. This underscores our common goal of offering customers at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport an outstanding range of first-class luxury brands.”
The boutique reinforces Gebr. Heinemann’s strategy to deepen its relationships with key luxury houses. Gebr. Heinemann Director of Purchasing Fashion, Accessories, Watches and Jewellery Jan Richter commented, “As part of our strategy for the fashion, accessories, watches and jewellery category, we are reinforcing our cooperation with the leading global luxury brands.
“Bulgari is one of our key strategic partners in this regard, and the opening of the new mono-brand boutique at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport is now another milestone after the very successful first Bulgari mono-brand boutique in Istanbul.”
The Bulgari opening is the first of many new luxury spaces to open in Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport in 2022. With Terminal C finally reopening after a 15 month closure, the partners will soon introduce luxury mono-brand boutiques from Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Gucci and Hermès.
Imperial Duty Free Director General for Commercial Affairs Denis Gusev said, “The long-standing success of our joint venture is based on the excellent synergy between our local know-how and Gebr. Heinemann’s expertise in global travel retail and the luxury segment. We are convinced that we are creating a luxury marketplace here that is unique in Russian travel retail and expect very positive development of all mono-brand boutiques.”
