Motibhai plans overhaul of Nadi airport stores

Dermot Davitt

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The Fijian retailer hopes to invest around $2m in its outlets after strong growth this year

The Motibhai Group of Companies, one of Fiji's leading duty-free retailers, is planning a complete overhaul and refurbishment of its departures and arrivals stores at Nadi airport, in an investment worth F$3m-4m ($1.79-2.39m).

Motibhai Group chairman and CEO Mahendra Patel told RavenFox.com: ?This will entail an entire fit-out of our duty-free shopping complex, which lies across two floors. When the renovations are complete it will be an outstanding duty-free store comparable to that of any airport in the world.?

Motibhai's overall business at the airport and downtown will post a year-on-year increase in sales of 12-15% in 2004, Patel added. He attributed this to strong marketing campaigns, an increased flow of tourists, continued political stability in Fiji and a better merchandise mix. The key growth sectors were fragrances and cosmetics, liquor and tobacco, confectionery and destination merchandise.

Patel said he would like to see more duty-free exclusive products made available to his stores to create a point of difference for tourists. But he said that maintaining duty-free's price advantage over the domestic market was a continuing challenge, when many domestic retailers were discounting heavily in many categories.