MARCH 23, 2016, HONG KONG – Whisky Magazine has announced DFS Group’s Singapore Changi Airport location as Travel Retailer of the Year in the 2016 Icons of Whisky Awards. Nominated by industry experts, shortlisted by the editorial panel of Whisky Magazine and then finalized after a voting process online, Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Awards focuses on recognizing brand innovation and inspirational individuals from within the whisky industry.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our DFS, Singapore Changi Airport store has been awarded Travel Retailer of the Year by Whisky Magazine and look forward to continuing to deliver innovative experiences and exceptional products for our customers in 2016,” said Brooke Supernaw, DFS Group’s Senior Vice President Wines, Spirits and Tobacco. “At each of our locations, our aim is to provide our customers with a surprising and delightful shopping experience where they can engage with the brands and products they love. We are particularly proud of DFS, Singapore Changi Airport which over the past year has expanded to become Asia Pacific’s largest assortment of single malts. From the duplex’s design to the interactive tastings held on site, our customers have loved this new approach to travel retail and we’re delighted the industry has fallen in love as well.”
This is the first year the Icons of Whisky Awards have included a Travel Retail category, which was awarded at both the regional and global level. After beating out competitors in Ireland, England, Germany, United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands to receive Whisky Magazine’s Travel Retailer of the Year in the Rest of the World regional category in January, DFS Group, Singapore Changi Airport went head-to-head with the America and Scotland regions to secure the global title at an awards ceremony in London on March 17.
DFS, Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 duplex is DFS Group’s worldwide flagship wines and spirits store. Opened in May 2015, the duplex features over 1,400 products from over 440 spirits, wine and tobacco brands across 11,400 square feet and two floors. A whisky destination for travelers, customers will find 110 single malt products from 50 brands at the wines and spirits duplex alone, the largest assortment of single malts available in travel retail in Asia Pacific. The store also features a Long Bar by Raffles – a tasting bar in collaboration with one of Singapore’s most historical landmarks, the Raffles Hotel. Guests can enjoy guided tastings and a monthly program of exciting and interactive activities, featuring master classes for cocktail mixology, bartending and hosting at home.
DFS, Singapore Changi Airport is also the only travel retailer globally to hold The Whisky Ambassador’s venue accreditation. Home of DFS Group’s Masters of Wines and Spirits and Singapore Changi First Program, DFS, Singapore Changi Airport has cultivated a reputation for its assortment of exceptional and rare whiskies and is the retailer of choice for brands and distillers looking to launch their latest products in travel retail globally and in Asia Pacific.
