Page 44 - 2024 Summit of the Americas

INSIDER

The beautiful Maison Rouge in the historic district of downtown Christiansted offers top luxury shopping.
Pan-Caribbean retail power Rouge Duty Free adds new islands,
new stores

Not only did Rouge Duty Free open Trinidad at Westmall, which will cover nearly
in Trinidad in 2023 – its 9th Caribbean Rouge Duty Free entered into its ninth 2,000 square feet of space, and we are in
island location – but the luxury and beauty Caribbean country in December with its negotiations to open in two other malls on
retailer is about to take a giant step forward acquisition of the Vendôme perfume stores the island,” he tells TMI. “We expect to
in Grenada, as it expands its charming in Trinidad & Tobago. open the Westmall location this summer.
flagship in the renowned Port Louis Marina Rouge took over two Vendôme We are also waiting for the right space to
into six new outlets. The Rouge stores will stores, one each in the Trincity and Gulf open in the airport, where we expect to be
be the key retail element in the new Silver City Malls, carrying high-end brands in operating by this fall.”
Sands complex at Port Louis Maritime fragrance and skincare. “With a population of some 1.5
Village debuting in June. Although the current stores are duty million, we think that Trinidad has been
The Port Louis Marina and the paid, Kattoura says that Rouge is entering underserved when it comes to perfume
undeveloped lands at Mount Cinnamon into duty free by the end of this year, and and beauty,” he added. “In most of our
resort were acquired by Joyau des has plans to open a duty free division on locations, the Rouge stores have become
Caraibes Ltd (JDC), owner of the 5+ the island. a leading retail option for the local
-star Silversands Grenada, in 2020. “We have since signed a contract populations as well as tourists, and we see
The luxury developer pledged to invest to open a flagship store at the Falls this happening in Trinidad as well.”
around $350 million to develop the two
sites, with plans including four five-star
hotels, a spa, exclusive residential villas,
food and beverage outlets, retail and an
entertainment hub. The Silver Sands
“Luxury District Fashion Boutiques” at
Port Louis is now nearly complete.
“In addition to expanding our offerings
in the beauty boutique and our liquor store,
Rouge will now also have two outlets
carrying handbags and sunglasses, one for
tobacco and cigars, a clothing boutique and
another for accessories,” explains Raymond
Kattoura, whose company Duty Free and
Travel Retail Group manages the business
for Rouge in the Caribbean. “We are
negotiating with the world’s top designers
with shops at Miami’s Fashion District and
St. Barth, and brands that fit in this Luxury
Mega Yacht Marina.” Rouge has now added a ninth Caribbean country acquiring two stores in
Trinidad, with more to come.

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