DFS Group Renames Waikiki Retail Center to T-Galleria

The DFS Group is a Hong Kong Based company which has become synonymous with duty-free shopping and sale of luxury items.  Over the past few years, the company has spent more than $50 million upgrading its Waikiki retail center and during a recent unveiling, the company has decided to rename its Waikiki property to T-Galleria.  Chairman and CEO for the DFS Group, Philippe Schaus, stated that the "T" in T-Galleria stands for "travelers".  Schaus added, "Choosing a one-letter brand name is very bold and yet easy to remember and identify.  Really, we're just naming what we've become. Our objective is to be the world traveler's preferred destination for luxury.  We are among the best department stores in the world, but we are completely obsessed by the notion of travel and the customer as he is traveling. Most department stores come from serving the local market with the widest variety, but we come from serving the traveler. It's a different point of departure."

David Charles, the Pacific region president of DFS Hawaii, added that part of the reason why his company is pouring so much money and resources into the Waikiki retail center was due to the growing visitor markets from China, Korea, Taiwan and Latin America.  Charles stated, "Shopping is one of the most important activities for Chinese consumers when they travel overseas.  Accessibility to shopping is a key determinant to Chinese travelers in electing a destination."  Charles noted that the T-Galleria will also offer a concierge and a lounge service for their top customers.

Mark Bratton, the Vice President of Colliers International, a commercial real estate firm, commented, "We appreciate major companies spending money and bringing more customers to Waikiki.  Many big companies are after international shoppers, but it's rare to see one actually get involved in creating visitor demand. It's a unique and pioneering strategy that I think will work for them and in general will benefit Waikiki."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-8-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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