▲ Lotte Duty Free resumes operations in the DF1 zone at Incheon International Airport on April 17, 2026, after nearly three years. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- Lotte Duty Free has resumed operations at Incheon International Airport after nearly three years.

 

The company said Friday it has begun operations in the airport’s DF1 zone, which handles cosmetics, perfumes, liquor and tobacco.

 

The DF1 zone was previously operated by Shilla Duty Free, which returned the business rights last year following a dispute over rental fees. Lotte Duty Free was selected as the new operator in late February.

 

Spanning 4,094 square meters, the area consists of 15 stores offering around 240 brands, including Chanel, La Mer and Dior in cosmetics and perfumes, as well as Ballantine’s, Johnnie Walker, KT&G and Jung Kwan Jang in liquor, tobacco and food.

 

The reopening marks Lotte Duty Free’s return to Incheon airport about two years and 10 months after it ended operations at its Terminal 2 liquor and tobacco stores on June 30, 2023.

 

The company launched operations about six weeks after being selected as the operator and plans to carry out phased renovations in coordination with Incheon International Airport Corporation.

 

Through the renovations, it aims to enhance customer experience by introducing brand zones tailored to traveler trends and expanding digital interactive content.

 

Lotte Duty Free expects the new store to generate about 600 billion won in annual sales, with the business license valid for up to 10 years.

 

To mark the opening, the company is also running an “Opening Festa” promotion both online and offline.

 

Yang Hee-sang, head of sales at Lotte Duty Free, said Incheon airport is a symbolic place where travelers form their first and last impressions of Korea.

 

“As we welcome customers again after three years, we will work closely with the airport operator to create a duty-free shopping environment that satisfies both domestic and international travelers,” he said.

 

Lotte Duty Free currently operates eight stores in South Korea, including downtown branches in Myeong-dong, World Tower, Busan and Jeju, as well as airport stores in Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju.SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- Lotte Duty Free has resumed operations at Incheon International Airport after nearly three years.

 

The company said Friday it has begun operations in the airport’s DF1 zone, which handles cosmetics, perfumes, liquor and tobacco.

 

The DF1 zone was previously operated by Shilla Duty Free, which returned the business rights last year following a dispute over rental fees. Lotte Duty Free was selected as the new operator in late February.

 

Spanning 4,094 square meters, the area consists of 15 stores offering around 240 brands, including Chanel, La Mer and Dior in cosmetics and perfumes, as well as Ballantine’s, Johnnie Walker, KT&G and Jung Kwan Jang in liquor, tobacco and food.

 

The reopening marks Lotte Duty Free’s return to Incheon airport about two years and 10 months after it ended operations at its Terminal 2 liquor and tobacco stores on June 30, 2023.

 

The company launched operations about six weeks after being selected as the operator and plans to carry out phased renovations in coordination with Incheon International Airport Corporation.

 

Through the renovations, it aims to enhance customer experience by introducing brand zones tailored to traveler trends and expanding digital interactive content.

 

Lotte Duty Free expects the new store to generate about 600 billion won in annual sales, with the business license valid for up to 10 years.

 

To mark the opening, the company is also running an “Opening Festa” promotion both online and offline.

 

Yang Hee-sang, head of sales at Lotte Duty Free, said Incheon airport is a symbolic place where travelers form their first and last impressions of Korea.

 

“As we welcome customers again after three years, we will work closely with the airport operator to create a duty-free shopping environment that satisfies both domestic and international travelers,” he said.

 

Lotte Duty Free currently operates eight stores in South Korea, including downtown branches in Myeong-dong, World Tower, Busan and Jeju, as well as airport stores in Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju.

 

jwc@yna.co.kr

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