Page 24 - IAADFS Summit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

Rouge Duty Free continues its retail march across the Caribbean

From the elegant façade of its flagship
Maison in a refurbished historic landmark
in St. Croix, to a luxurious, modern retail
interpretation of the famed architectural
elements on Mexico’s Riviera, to the island
chic décor of its Creed Boutique in St.
Bart, Rouge Duty Free is continuing its
retail march across the Caribbean, and now
has 16 stores open on five islands and a
Mexican resort, with several more locations
under negotiation.
St. Croix
The Rouge Maison in the heart of
Christiansted’s downtown Historic District
is now fully open – with a galleria carrying
a full array of fragrances, skincare, fashion, The elegant new Rouge Duty Free flagship in Tulum, Mexico incorporates textures and materials of
sunglasses, luggage and liquor. the historical ruins in the Architectural district, synchronized with a modern touch and feel.
“Sales are way above expectations,”
confirmed Raymond Kattoura, whose In addition to an extensive selection Rouge has just closed its flagship
company Duty Free & Travel Retail Group of fragrances and beauty lines, the flagship boutique in Port Louis, the famed
Inc. helps manage the business for family- store features a Beauty Spa Cabin and mega-yacht marina, as the area is under
owned Rouge Duty Free. “The liquor carries a full line of sunglasses and construction by 5-star resort operator
business has been particularly successful accessories, which Kattoura reports are Silversands, which is opening a club and
and a small luxury boutique hotel on the selling very well. marina there. Rouge will be opening a
second story is also doing very well.” temporary location in Port Louis before the
A café in the back of the Maison Grenada end of the month, says Kattoura, and will
property is opening on Easter weekend. Rouge Duty Free has been expanding have new space in Port Louis Silversands,
This is one of two Rouge Duty Free and upgrading in Grenada as well, where it when the construction is completed.
properties on St. Croix. is the leading luxury retailer on the island. “Our new store at Port Louis will
The operator has completely remodeled be 50% larger than the original store and
Tulum, Mexico its perfume store in Spiceland Mall, anchor the shopping area,” said Kattoura.
Rouge’s two perfumeries in the converting the old-fashioned counters to Rouge Duty Free is also the leading
popular resort of Tulum, Mexico have also self-service within a bright and modern duty free operator at the Maurice Bishop
been open since the beginning of the year white marble interior. International Airport, which has been
– a flagship located in the Architectural “We expect to double our business at enjoying excellent recovery. Grenada was
district in Aldea Zuma and a second shop in the Mall, which is already our best location cited as one of the top three performers
the Hunab Lifestyle Center shopping area. on the island,” commented Kattoura. in terms of percentage growth of arrivals
over 2019 figures from the USA by the
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association
(CHTA).

St. Thomas & St. Maarten and more
Rouge Duty Free’s store on the
waterfront in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
also continues to be a top performer for
the company, as are the three stores Rouge
Duty Free is operating in St. Maarten,
which have now been open a little more
than a year. The stores—located in
downtown Front Street, at Bobby’s Marina
and at Captain’s Hodge Pier, cater to stay-
over tourists, cruise visitors and the local
market.
The first Creed Boutique in the
Caribbean, which is operated by Rouge on
Rouge Duty Free completely updated and renovated its perfume shop in Grenada’s the exclusive island of St. Bart, is officially
Spiceland Mall, replacing counters with a self-serve concept and a white marble venue. scheduled to open this month.
Summit of the Americas April 2023 24