Hyundai Duty Free opens Incheon airport DF2 zone, eyes 1 tln won in annual sales

▲ This photo provided by Hyundai Duty Free shows its new operations in the DF2 zone at Incheon International Airport. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Duty Free said Wednesday it has begun operations in the DF2 zone at Incheon International Airport, expanding its presence to become the airport’s largest duty-free operator.

With the addition of DF2, which covers cosmetics, perfumes, liquor and tobacco, the company now operates three of the airport’s six duty-free zones, alongside DF5 and DF7 for luxury goods, fashion and accessories.

Hyundai Duty Free is also the only operator at the airport handling all major product categories, including luxury fashion, cosmetics and liquor.

The DF2 zone spans 4,571 square meters and houses 287 brands, including Chanel Beauty, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Estée Lauder, as well as liquor and tobacco brands such as Ballantine's, Johnnie Walker, Hennessy, The Balvenie, KT&G and Jung Kwan Jang.

The contract period runs through June 30, 2033, with a possible three-year extension allowing operations until April 27, 2036.

The company plans to strengthen its merchandise mix with high-end and limited-edition items, including global luxury beauty brands and premium whisky and wine, to capture demand for luxury shopping.

Amid a sharp rise in foreign tourist arrivals to Korea, Hyundai Duty Free also plans to highlight K-content by curating K-beauty brands into a dedicated “K-cosmetics zone,” alongside K-food and K-culture offerings.

The zone will feature experiential content such as AI-based skin analysis and personal color consultations.

The retailer will also leverage synergies with its parent, Hyundai Department Store Group, through joint marketing and integration of brand assets.

Hyundai Duty Free posted its first annual profit last year, seven years after launching operations, and is expected to remain profitable in the first quarter of this year. The addition of the DF2 zone is projected to further boost its performance.

CEO Park Jang-seo said the company expects to generate more than 1 trillion won in annual sales at the airport alone, adding it will continue to refine its merchandising and marketing strategies to ensure stable growth.

To mark the opening, the company is also holding promotional events, including a treasure hunt offering prizes worth 200 million won for customers who make advance payments via Naver Pay at its Incheon airport store.

jwc@yna.co.kr

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