SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - DFS Group, will close its duty-free liquor and tobacco outlets in Changi Airport in June 2020.
The move comes amid financial considerations due to changing regulations concerning the sale of liquor and tobacco, against a backdrop of global geopolitical uncertainty, DFS chairman and chief executive Ed Brennan told the media.
Singapore has recently tightened its regulation on booze and tobacco. On April 1, the duty-free allowance for spirits, wine and beer was lowered to two litres, from three litres previously. From July 1, 2020, tobacco products sold in the country must also have standardised packaging and enlarged graphic health warnings, announced the Ministry of Health in July.
Although DFS has held the liquor and tobacco concession at Changi Airport since 1980, the group did not participate in the bidding of tender exercise for the new liquor and tobacco concession. The tender closed on Monday, Aug 26.
The tenancy for the new operator is for a six-year period from June 9, 2020, to June 8, 2026, and spans 18 stores occupying over 8,6111 sq ft across Changi Airport’s four terminals.
DFS said that its 500 employees running the DFS’s liquor and tobacco operations may continue to work with the new operator. It may also offer to deploy these employees at DFS's luxury concessions at Changi Airport, T Galleria by DFS, or its Singapore Cruise Centre business. These operations shall continue running and are unaffected.
The new operator will be announced in November.
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