Shilla I’Park Duty Free, an urban duty-free store at I’Park mall in Yongsan, central Seoul, opened on Thursday.
In the first stage, only 60 percent of the total 30,400 square-meter store ― presenting 400 brands ranging from luxury goods to accessories, fashion, food and local souvenirs, among others ― is open to the public. The entire store will officially launch in March next year.
Many popular bands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Bally and others have already started greeting customers.
Also under the theme of “K-Discovery,” 270 Korean brands favored by mostly Chinese tourists in the cosmetics and fashion areas are on display. They include Yook Shim Won, La Palette, Style Nanda and others.
“It has been around five months since we were selected to run the store. And except for a few more luxury brands that will join in March, we are good to go,” a spokesman at HDC Shilla Duty Free, the operator of the store, stated.
HDC is a joint venture between Hyundai Development Company and Shilla Duty Free, the duty-free sales unit under Samsung Group, which was established specifically to run the store.
“Even before the official launch, we will be able to achieve 90 percent of the target sales record,” the spokesman added.
By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)