In the presence of representatives from the political, business and media world, Dufry AG officially inaugurated the refurbished Hellenic Duty Free Shops, at International Airport of Rhodes “Diagoras”. 

The company’s new commercial spaces are located in both Intra and Extra Schengen areas of the Airport, with a surface area of 1.466m², increased by 38% compared to the previous commercial area occupied by the company. The refurbishment is part of an expansion project undertaken by the mother company, Dufry, in order to offer “a world class” experience to all customers visiting the shops.

Every commercial area operated by Dufry is designed and inspired based on  the local culture and specific characteristics of the region. As a result, the new Hellenic Duty Free Shops are a modern and friendly shopping environment where travelers find a wide collection of international products such as perfumes and cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, luxury accessories, as well as local and traditional Greek products.     

Three shops were inaugurated today:

1. Walkthrough Self Service, with a total commercial area of 1.074m², offering branded perfumes and cosmetics as well as a wide range of spirits, confectionery, Greek traditional products, tobacco and electronics, travel accessories and souvenirs as well as  natural, Greek cosmetic products. In a central area of the shop, “Hellenic gourmet” is especially designed to give travelers a last taste of Greece. Here, customers can buy traditional dairy food and spirits from Rhodes and the rest of Greece.   

2. Luxury, with a total surface area of 146m², offering the latest trends in branded fashion items (watches, accessories, sunglasses, etc.). Some of the brands represented are Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, Prada, Guess, Swarovski, Folli Follie, Swatch etc.

3. Last Minute, with a total surface area of 246m², offering a smaller collection of bestselling products such as perfumes and cosmetics, tobacco, Greek products, souvenirs etc., designed with last minute shoppers in mind.  

The construction works to refurbish and set up the new shops were completed in a short period of time with the excellent cooperation of Fraport Greece, in the framework of their refurbishment project for the 14 regional airports.

Mr. Juan Carlos Torres Carretero stated: “Our relationship with Greece started five years ago and every year our sales and profits have increased. We are committed to improve the customer experience in all Greek airports. I am confident that passengers will appreciate the effort made and we will meet their highest expectations. Airports are the gates to the country and the first and last impression on your trip. Our cooperation with Fraport Greece aims at improving the experience and providing a comfortable and enjoyable environment for all travelers”.

Mr. Pedro Castro, Dufry CEO Southern Europe & Africa stated: “It is a pleasure to come back to wonderful Rhodes and see the improvement of our commercial offer with the new shops inaugurated today. We have taken another step forward in our partnership with Fraport Greece, investing in developing a world class retail offer. Hellenic Duty Free Shops, as part of the Dufry group, with their enthusiastic and devoted team always deliver a ‘best in class’ experience to the customers”.

Finally, in his speech, Mr. Yorgos Velentzas said: “I am very happy to be here today to launch the new stores of our company, whose image is completely different from what you have experienced in the past. Following the renovation and refurbishment plan of Fraport Greece, our company proceeded to the first phase of the complete reorganization of spaces and passenger flow to the new terminal. The result of this effort is the creation of three new stores of 1.466m2, increased by 38% compared to previous spaces”.

And he continued by pointing out: "This place is the best expression of European Greece. A place where tidiness, respect, smiles, elegance, courtesy and friendliness co-exist. These elements are inspiring everyone, even the most "difficult" Greek to adapt to the environment and to feel wonderful. We believe that Hellenic Duty Free Shops also contribute in the creation of this unique environment.”

George Vilos - Executive Director of Commercial & Business Development concluded: "A year ago we started a strategic collaboration with Hellenic Duty Free Shops aiming for the creation and development of modern commercial spaces. Today, we are launching the new Hellenic Duty Free Shops at Rhodes Airport "Diagoras" and this fills us with great pleasure to watch our vision being realized. Very soon, all 14 airports managed by Fraport Greece will have commercial areas designed according to international standards, worthy of the expectations of the passengers and the destinations served and offering an upgraded travel experience".