DFS - Fendi

DFS Group is a leading luxury travel retailer specializing in duty-free shopping. Established in 1960, DFS operates duty-free stores in 420 locations worldwide, including airports, downtown locations, and resort areas across the globe. The company offers a wide range of luxury products, including fashion, accessories, beauty, and spirits, from renowned brands. DFS is known for providing exceptional service and creating immersive shopping experiences for travellers seeking premium goods at duty-free prices. In 1996, DFS became a part of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), further solidifying its position as a premier destination for luxury shopping.

The Project

Zayed International Airport, formerly Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi, is the UAE’s second-largest airport, spanning 15,000 acres and servicing 128 destinations. With a capacity of 45 million passengers annually and plans to expand to 60 million, it is a key global hub. The new terminal, one of the world’s largest at 780,000 square meters, includes 30 luxury retail units secured by DFS Group in 2018, covering 3,000 square meters and employing 190 staff. Notably, one unit is Fendi. The project team liaised closely with Fendi’s project team, Studio10 (Architects), and overseeing the MEP, Bond Interiors as the General Contractor, and Rizzato managing the Millwork

Our Appointment

In November 2018, we bid for project management and commercial management services for the same project, securing the project management contract by November 28. After a kick-off meeting with DFS in Abu Dhabi from February 14-16, 2019, Zayed International Airport opened on November 14, 2023. Throughout the project, additional units were added, and existing ones underwent redesign. As project and commercial managers, we transformed retail units from shell and core to operational readiness, managing the entire project lifecycle, including submissions, authorizations, construction, and handover. Our key responsibilities involved navigating stringent airport security protocols and coordinating with DFS divisions and over 25 brand store planners and consultants.

The Benefit

Initially appointed by DFS solely for project management, PMKConsult’s role quickly evolved due to the establishment of strong and collaborative relationships with both the DFS and the Abu Dhabi Airport Management Team. As these relationships deepened, PMKConsult assumed additional responsibilities beyond project management, including overseeing commercial aspects, coordinating logistics, ensuring health and safety compliance, and recently taking on the pivotal role of global project management. This expanded role has provided PMKConsult with a comprehensive understanding of every facet of the project, from its inception through to completion.

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DFS - Fendi

The Project

Our Appointment

The Benefit

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