CEBU CITY, Philippines – Eyeing more growth opportunities in Cebu, Duty Free Philippines (DFP) will open its second largest outlet at the SM City Cebu Northwing on Tuesday.
The DFP, an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, has two stores in Cebu — inside Mactan Cebu International Airport (arrival and departure outlets) and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The SM City Cebu Northwing store will be the seventh DFP store nationwide.
Other stores are in FiestaMall in Parañaque City, arrival and departure outlets of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and at the Davao International Airport.
Michael Christian Kho, DFP general manager, will lead the opening ceremonies of the 1,800-square meter store.
“The new DFP (store) is fashioned on a more spacious and upscale setting that is more accessible to customers,” an official statement sent to Cebu Daily News said.
The opening of the new DFP store supports the mall’s development towards becoming a premier tourist destination of Cebu, the statement said.
The presence of the new DFP store inside a mall is expected to increase the revenues of DFP which sells known brands in the fragrance, liquor, confectionery and cigarette categories.
Arriving and departing passengers such as overseas Filipino workers, balikbayan, handicapped and senior citizens can shop at DFP stores.
The DFP operates around the mission of being a “world-class travel retailer committed to satisfying the shopping needs of the international traveler in an efficient service environment showcasing the Filipino traits of warmth and hospitality.
Alice Queblatin, past president of Cebu Association of Tour Operators, said opening a store inside a mall “may be a business decision of Duty Free to be more visible to tourists” and become accessible to those who go to malls.
She said the store should be properly regulated so that it will not pose unfair competition to other business outlets inside the mall.
“I believe that Duty Free stores should maintain its position as an outlet for travelers and tourists and be located in areas such as airports, hotels and separate buildings,” she said.