Undertaking the operation of all Duty Free zones at the airport for 25 years, Unifree Dutyfree gathered over 1,000 domestic and international luxury brands under one roof and realized one of Turkey’s and the world’s biggest travel retail zones at Istanbul Airport.
Unifree Dutyfree İşletmeciliği Anonim Şirketi commissioned the Phase 2 of Duty Free shops at Istanbul Airport with its 35 years of travel retail experience in Turkey and its partner Gebr. Heinemann’s 135 years of international experience. After the first shop was opened by Mr. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 29, 5 new shops laid over an area of 8,000 sq m are now commissioned, encompassing one of the biggest commercial quarters in the world.
The Duty Free was established with TRY 1.2 billion investment in total, half of which is covered through equity capital, and created employment for approximately 3,000 people. The zone also offers 100,000 sq m rental area and is laid out over an area of 53,000 sq m at the airport. The majority of the stores under the responsibility of Unifree Dutyfree is operated by Unifree Dutyfree İşletmeciliği A.Ş., while the rest is operated by sub-establishments to which the space is rented. One of the 2 flagship stores with the largest area in the Duty Free zone, consisting of different concept stores ranging from 4,200 sq m to 28 sq m, was commissioned on January 15, 2019 within the scope of Phase 2. These stores where everyone can find a part of themselves take the visitors’ breath away with their wide range of products for all passengers, products specially made for Istanbul Airport and their architecture.
The design of the Duty Free zone was inspired by the Bosphorus. The zone has 7 different sections, with the size of 9 football field side by side, consisting of the “Fashion Garden”, “Family Palace”, “High&Lux Hills: Fashion”, “High&Lux Hills: Jewelry and Watch”, “High&Lux Hills: Fashion and Accessories”, “Style Beach” and “Icon Gulf”. Each section welcomes passengers with concept-related selective domestic and international brands offering a rich variety of products. The domestic and national brands have a significant place in this project.
