Carilux Duty Free flagship Colombia border store set for July opening 

COLOMBIA. Carilux Duty Free is set to open a flagship border store at the Simón Bolívar International Bridge in Cúcuta, marking a milestone for Latin American travel retail and the Colombian duty-free sector.

As reported, the 200sq m, two-storey outlet, close to Colombian city in the Norte de Santander area, is situated on one of the busiest border crossings in Latin America, which Carilux said would ensure “high visibility and accessibility” for brand partners. It will be the only known duty-free shop operating on the Colombian side of the Venezuela border.

The store is a hybrid retail concept offering tax-free goods for outbound international travellers and tax-paid products for inbound Venezuelan visitors and domestic shoppers. The two-level store layout has been designed to ensure regulatory compliance and targeted consumer segmentation.

Carilux Duty Free is a joint venture between DFP World, led by CEO Matin Saluth and CDFP Carilux Duty-Free Panamericana, led by President Julian Esteban Salgado Lopez.

Lopez commented, “This is more than just a retail project. It’s a milestone for Colombian travel retail and a statement of what can be achieved with perseverance and strategic partnerships. DFP World’s operational backbone allowed us to navigate extraordinary challenges, from security threats to environmental setbacks.”

Despite being hit by a series of challenges, including regional security threats, infrastructure damage and extreme weather events, the store is now complete, the partners said. Construction was delayed by armed group activity in Cúcuta, which culminated in a direct attack on a nearby tollgate.

Severe flooding caused further damage to the interiors and necessitated a full rebuild of store furniture. Regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles added to the extended timeline, pushing the planned launch back nearly a year.

Click on the video for impressions of how the Carilux Duty Free store will appear on opening

DFP World played a pivotal role in keeping the project strategically aligned throughout thanks to its expertise in operational risk management, bonded logistics and local intelligence. The company will continue to manage supply chain, security and logistics, while Carilux Duty Free will focus on retail operations, consumer engagement and marketing.

The border store will offer a curated mix of products sourced directly from brand owners and authorised regional distributors, including a standout range of Arabian perfumery, premium spirits not yet available in Latin America and Vietnamese confectionery.

The offer will be bolstered by brand activations and investment in exclusive product lines, enhancing the consumer experience and reinforcing authenticity and value.

The border store will cater to a highly diverse and mobile customer base, including Venezuelan cross-border travellers, residents of nearby San Cristóbal and surrounding regions, diplomatic staff and international NGOs. In 2023 alone, Colombia-Venezuela border crossings totalled over 26 million with daily footfall exceeding 120,000 at peak periods.

Carilux Duty Free is inviting brand owners to partner for exclusive product launches, targeted marketing and retail initiatives in the fast-emerging travel retail hub.