South Korea’s Lotte Duty Free is ramping up its Asia Pacific expansion with the launch of a three-level boutique in the heart of downtown Sydney.
Located on the corner of Sydney’s Pitt and Market Streets, and spanning 3000sqm, the store features interiors designed by architecture firm Bates Smart, featuring a fresh and contemporary style yet integrating the latest technology to enhance the customer shopping experience.
The duty-free store is home to more than 150 international brands, several of which have never been seen in Australian travel retail, according to Lotte. Brands include Pola, Cosme Decorte, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Shiseido, SK-II, Gucci Beauty and Australian brands like Beauty Chef and Vita Glow.
“Lotte is home to some of the most luxurious brands in the world,” said Kap Lee, CEO at Lotte Duty Free. “Our retailer partners are testimony to Lotte’s reputation worldwide…”
The flagship store also features a cellar-door experience where customers can connect with Lotte Duty Free’s resident sommelier to try local wines or sample premium whiskies from its 100-bottle whisky bar.
“Design innovation and client experience were the guiding principles in the creation of this store,” said Stephen Timms, CEO of Lotte Duty Free Oceania. “Lotte Duty Free is a travel destination in its own right and something we want people to build into their plans and be excited to experience as part of the international travel journey.”
The launch of the Sydney CBD flagship was hinted at in 2020 and originally scheduled for early last year before being delayed due to the Covid-19 situation.
The expansion is part of Lotte Duty Free’s strategy to lead the market in Australia and to increase its influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has also signed a business cooperation agreement with Vietnamese partner Imex Pan Pacific Group to open duty-free stores in downtown Da Nang and Hanoi to serve tourists as international travel resumes.
Founded in 1980, Lotte Duty Free currently operates 20 duty-free stores across 12 international airports, in seven international locations, including Guam, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.
