The second instalment in the ‘All Eyes on…’ communication series, presented by the seven sunglasses suppliers behind the Sunglasses Workshop and Awards, features Lotte Duty Free. The retailer claimed the 2016 Sunglasses Awards Best-Off Airport Retailer of Sunglasses award.
Before commencing its high-profile operations at Incheon Airport, Lotte Duty Free forged its reputation in downtown duty free, primarily through its flagship store in the Myeong-dong district of Seoul. Its significant downtown presence has been bolstered by the opening of four further doors, most recently at Lotte World Tower and a refurbished Busan outlet.
Lotte Duty Free operates more than 400sq m of sunglasses retail space at the five downtown locations in Korea, plus further downtown duty free operations in Tokyo and Jakarta. A team of 400 dedicated sunglasses staff oversees the offer which includes around 80 brands.
Lotte Duty Free has succeeded in creating demand from native Koreans, driving Chinese tourism and tailoring its retail offer to these core nationalities. Korean and Chinese shoppers account for 97% of all Lotte Duty Free’s downtown sunglasses revenues, which reached almost US$72.5 million in 2015.
The retailer has fuelled the ongoing success of established international eyewear brands and played a pioneering role in launching and growing new and niche brands, contributing to sunglasses revenues growth of +8.7% in 2015 (vs 2014).
Lotte Duty Free Eyewear Buyer Mr Lim Daejun said: “Sunglasses is an extremely vibrant category, offering an accessible route into luxury and lifestyle brands for our key shopper nationalities. We have long seen its potential for the category and steadily increased our space and assortment in downtown locations for sunglasses, as sales and penetration for the category have increased.”
Essilor Vice President, Asia Pacific & Oceania & Global Travel Retail Francesco Leccisi commented: “Lotte Duty Free has been a true innovator in the downtown duty free market, and evolved its focus on towards the sunglasses category. Its presentation of the category and ability to identify and grow the latest, hottest brands is exceptional.”
NOTE: Nominations/entries for the 2017 Sunglasses Awards will be commencing shortly. The Sunglasses Workshop and Awards will take place on Tuesday 3 October 2017, from 5.30-7.00pm at the Scene in Cannes.
PREVIOUSLY FEATURED IN ALL EYES ON:
