Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Shinsegae opens duty free shop at Incheon airport
A customer enters the newly opened Shinsegae duty free shop at Incheon International Airport, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Shinsegae Group
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
Shinsegae Group has opened a duty free shop with over 300 brands at Incheon International Airport , the company said Wednesday.
The retail giant gained a license in February to operate a duty free shop specialized in fashion and luxury items in section 7 of the airport.
Since refurbishing work started in September, section 7 has housed 80 percent of shops, including boutiques of MCM, Coach and Montblanc.
In order to enable travelers’ one-stop shopping, the shops are grouped in small sections of fashion accessories, foods and sunglasses according to customers’ purchasing patterns.
The company said that it also has diversified brands to differentiate itself from its rivals. It has the very first local optician, Gentle Monster, in the duty free shop, while it also operates a brand experience zone for portage massager Breo.
Items for male travelers have been diversified as well to include shops selling drones and camera gear.
“Shinsegae duty free shop at Incheon airport will present unique items and stores that haven’t existed in previous duty free shops,” said Shinsegae Chosun Hotel CEO Sung Young-mok in a statement. “We aim to make it not just a place that travelers pass though before departure, but as a landmark that provides diverse experiences and convenience.”
The company plans to conclude the refurbishment and house other luxury brands by April.
Meanwhile, Shinsegae is ambitiously expanding its duty free business. Beating Lotte and SK last month, it secured the much-coveted right to run its first duty free stores in downtown Seoul.