Why did DFS decide to leave Changi Airport? Who will be taking over from DFS?

Hi Anon,

The DFS Group is leaving Changi Airport in about a month after 38 years of selling liquor and tobacco. The luxury travel retailer have been Changi’s largest and oldest tenant but have decided not to bid for a new liquor and tobacco concession as it didn’t go in line with their future plans.

DFS Group chairman and chief executive officer Ed Brennan was quoted saying that “Specifically, changing regulations concerning the sale of liquor and tobacco, against a global context of geopolitical uncertainty, meant that staying in Changi was not a financially viable option.”

DFS will now be replaced by Lotte Duty Free, which is run by a South Korean operator. Its contract will start from 9 June 2020 and will run for 6 years across all of Changi’s four terminals.​​​

According to DFS CEO:

“Specifically, changing regulations concerning the sale of liquor and tobacco, against a global context of geopolitical uncertainty, meant that staying in Changi was not a financially viable option.”

DFS decision to pull out could be due to Singapore's tighter restrictions on alcohol consumption (Budget 2019). South Korean operator Lotte Duty Free is set to take over and the contract is set for six years.