One of the plans of Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) to increase sale and revenue for its stores is to make arrangements with hotels that are located within their outlets.
“We are in the process of reviewing that, in the case of LUXE Duty Free, we are already making arrangements with the different hotels here in the area. This store will be catering more to the Chinese market,” revealed DFPC chief operating officer Vicente Angala during a recent press conference at spanking LUXE Duty Free.
Located in Pacific Drive corner Coral Way in Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, the LUXE Duty Free is a new store that was developed to house the most upscale high-end retail products and brands.
Angala said that they will also open outlets in Palawan and Panglao, Bohol airports as well as enhancing their online shopping website that they just launched late last year.
“We were delayed in online shopping for around 5 years. In our online program, we have close coordination with the Bureau of Customs and Immigration. Customers should register and 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.
DFPC had a total consolidated sales of USD217 million in 2018 ,lower than its target of USD225 million but still managed a growth of 2% from the 2017 sales of USD213 million. For this year, target sales goal is USD 220 million. Competition from other retailers is seen as a factor in decreasing sales.
Filipino tourists, balikbayans, and OFWs remaIn as the top customers followed by Americans, Chinese, and Canadians.
The top best sellers are chocolates and confectionaries at 35%, then liquor and spirits, perfume and cosmetics, fashion, and supermarket items follow .
“One factor of growth in the future is the third party online payment solution such as AliPay and, eventually, WeChat as we have already signed the contracts with them,” Angala stated.
“We are also in close coordination with the Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry in adding homegrown products thru the Philippines Finest Kiosk. The DTI Go Lokal program has steadily grown and we expect to grow more in the coming years. We already have 27 brands at Luxe Duty Free while there are 11 brands available in Fiesta Mall in Sucat road, Paranaque.”
