Cebu Duty Free stores chip in 11% to sales

CEBU, Philippines — The two Duty Free outlets in Cebu contributed 11 percent to the company’s overall sales performance for 2018, an official revealed.

The state-owned Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC) logged a total of US$217 million in sales in 2018, 11 percent of which were contributed by Cebu outlets at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

DFPC marketing officer-in-charge Ma. Lourdes P. Malabuyo said Cebu’s share to the company’s sales revenue is considered significant as there are only 11 Duty Free outlets across the country.

As the sole operator of duty- and tax-free merchandising system in the Philippines, DFPC operates duty and tax-free stores at international airports and seaports, selected hotels, tourist resorts, and commercial or trading centers throughout the country.

This year, DFPC, which is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), will open two stores, one in Panglao Island in Bohol and one in Palawan.

DFPC recently closed, for undisclosed reasons, two offsite outlets in Cebu located at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and at SM City Cebu.

According to Malabuyo, DFPC is intensifying the promotion of its stores at Mactan airport as the province continues to attract a growing number of tourists, both local and foreign.

Duty Free stores’ top shoppers are Filipino tourists, balikbayans, and overseas Filipino workers, although it is also seeing a growing number of Chinese tourists doing their shopping at Duty Free stores.

Last year, Duty Free luxury store was opened at the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City. Branded as Duty Free Luxe, it is one of its largest shopping outlets for premium customers.

It carries a wide selection of high end imported goods and retail mix that will capture brands across all spectrums – from luxury designer labels like Bally and Ferragamo to mid-priced fashion labels like Coach and Michael Kors.

DFPC implements several programs to sustain its relationship with its major customers like the seafarers. It also provides livelihood programs for OFWs and balikbayans. — JMD