Tappoo Among World’s Best at Retail ‘Oscars’
Tappoo Group of Companies added another feather in its cap when its Duty-Free arm was shortlisted for awards in three major categories at the 34th annual Frontier Awards in Cannes.
Widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of the travel-retail industry’, the Frontier Awards celebrates the highest achievements in duty free retail across the globe, which is expected to exceed $70 billion in sales in 2018.
Tappoo Duty Free was a finalist for Airport Retailer of the Year, Speciality Concept of the Year (for its partnership with Fiji Rugby) and Best Food & Beverage Partnership of the Year (for its Bula Bar & Bistro outlet at Nadi Airport). “We’re immensely thrilled and proud to be among the world’s best Duty-Free retailers,” said Tappoo Group executive director Kaushal Tappoo.
Mr Tappoo added: “It’s a huge achievement for a Fijian operator to be nominated alongside some of the world’s best Duty-Free operators from Singapore, India and Dubai to name a few.”
World-class duty-free
In 2016, Tappoo unveiled a new world-class Duty-Free shopping experience to match the new look Nadi International Airport that was unveiled in June after upgrade.
The new Tappoo departures duty free store features a modern walk through design that allows departing travellers to easily navigate their way through state of the art displays. This is from some of the world’s best-selling liquor, confectionary, fragrance, skincare, cosmetics and fashion brands.
MAC Cosmetics
In addition to MAC Cosmetics and Bobbi Brown (exclusives for the Fiji market), the Nadi airport store now exclusively carries the cult British perfume and candle brand Jo Malone.
Fiji Airports
The store also features a variety of Fiji destination merchandise including Fiji Coconut Vodka, locally grown kava and honey, as well as Fiji Rugby merchandise, which was nominated for the Speciality Concept of the Year Award.
“Fiji Airports is proud to partner with the Tappoo Group in its efforts to provide an outstanding arrivals and departures experience for international guests and Fijians alike,” said Faiz Khan, Executive Chairman of Fiji Airports. Mr Ali added: “The Frontier Awards nominations are a testament to the Tappoo Group’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class Duty-Free shopping experiences to all travellers.”
Fiji Rugby Branded merchandise
After exclusively selling Fiji Rugby branded merchandise in stores for close to a decade, Tappoo introduced special branded Fiji Rugby corners in all of its main stores this year.
This earned it a nomination for the Frontier Speciality Concept of the Year Award.
Tappoo has drawn on its retail experience with bestselling fragrances to develop a line of Fiji Rugby branded perfumes in collaboration with the Fiji Rugby Union.
“Having proud and successful Fijian businesses such as Tappoo involved with our game and supporting the Fijian national teams is incredibly significant in our ability to compete on the world stage,” said Fiji Rugby chief executive John O’Connor at the signing of a new three-year partnership earlier this month.
It includes trophy installations in Tappoo department stores in Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka and Suva City.
Tappoo’s Bula Bar & Bistro
Meanwhile, Tappoo’s Bula Bar & Bistro at Nadi Airport Departures was nominated for the Frontier Best Food & Beverage Partnership of the Year Award.
Bula Bar & Bistro brings together a combination of fine coffee, deli style healthier gourmet food.
It also features a welcoming bar where visitors and locals will find a variety of options before they depart.