Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Duty Free Americas (DFA), part of Florida-based Falic Group, is set to take over the luxury retail business operated by DFS Group at Zayed International Airport after its parent company agreed to acquire the operation.
“Falic Group has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of DFS’s luxury travel retail business at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions,” a Falic Group spokesperson said in an email responding to an enquiry from Aletihad.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The luxury retail concessions acquired from DFS will be operated under the Duty Free Americas brand after completion of the deal.
In a separate statement, Falic Group said Abu Dhabi Airports had appointed DFA as a luxury travel retail partner at Zayed International Airport. The appointment forms part of the arrangement under which DFA will assume operation of the luxury concessions currently run by DFS.
The concessions cover luxury and contemporary fashion, watches and jewellery, accessories, and eyewear brands.
DFA plans to introduce new flagship brands, expand the space allocated to selected high-performing brands and develop open retail formats intended to provide passengers with a more flexible shopping experience.
“The acquisition of the luxury travel retail concessions at Abu Dhabi Airports marks a key milestone in our Middle East growth strategy and further expands our airport footprint and luxury retail presence,” Leon Falic, president of Falic Group, said.
“We are delighted to partner with one of the most prestigious airports globally and we warmly welcome the airport, brands and customer partners to our DFA family as we begin this new chapter together,” he added.
Carsten Nørland, chief commercial officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said the agreement represented a step towards strengthening the commercial offering at Zayed International Airport.
“DFA brings global travel retail expertise that will help us deliver a more dynamic and value-driven retail environment, aligned with the evolving expectations of our passengers and our long-term commercial ambitions,” Nørland said.
The acquisition will give DFA an immediate presence in the Middle East and provide a platform for further expansion across the Middle East and Africa, according to Falic Group.
DFS is a global luxury travel retailer operating stores at international airports and in major downtown locations. Established in 1960 by Robert Miller and Charles Feeney, the privately held company is majority-owned by French luxury group LVMH, alongside co-founder and shareholder Robert Miller.
Duty Free Americas describes itself as the largest travel retailer in the Americas and also operates across several international markets. Its parent, Falic Group, is a family-owned luxury brand operator with interests in beauty, fashion, media and real estate.
Zayed International Airport handled more than 32 million passengers in 2025. It has 163 retail, leisure, dining and hospitality outlets occupying 36,000 square metres of commercial space.
