Press Release

The opening of this shop reinforces DFDS' commitment to boosting the local economy by attracting new visitors and creating jobs.

Dunkirk, 4 October 2021 - The DFDS ferry company today inaugurated its new duty free shop in the port of Dunkirk in the presence of Mr Maurice Georges, President of the Port of Dunkirk, the Tourist Office, the Regional Customs Department and some of DFDS's local craftsmen and suppliers.

This space, which cost DFDS €290,000 to develop, has a sales area of 700 m². Located on the first floor of the terminal, it offers many passengers a moment of relaxation during which they can discover local products, carry out wine tastings and make bargain purchases before boarding their flights to the UK.

This long-awaited project, which will be followed by the inauguration of another duty free shop in the port of Calais (also piloted by DFDS), will enable both ports to improve the range of services offered to passengers.

These shops, made possible by the implementation of Brexit, are a great advantage for British passengers who no longer have to pay taxes on a variety of products (perfumes, wines and spirits, electronic products, etc.), which allows them to make significant savings compared to the prices charged in British cities.

The opening of the Dunkerque Duty Free is a real asset for the Hauts-de-France region. At a time when Covid 19 travel restrictions are being eased, this can only encourage Britons to return to France. Combining travel with Duty Free savings, customers can see the beginning of a return to normality that will benefit all local tourism stakeholders.

It is also an opportunity for local people to make a little trip to England and to take the opportunity to prepare for the festive season at a lower cost. We are offering a range of products from Confectionery, Perfume and a wide selection of Lego as well as fine Wines and Champagnes in the shop' said Tracey Charlut - Coastal Shops Manager for DFDS.

In preparation for these plans, DFDS studied passenger attitudes to duty-free shopping prior to the changes. Perhaps reflecting a lack of information about the impact of Brexit, 35% of respondents said they knew nothing about the changes to duty free this year, but 45% said they still took advantage of it when it was available.

The survey revealed that the modern traveller expects more than the traditional offerings of the days when duty free was available over 40 years ago. Perfumes and cosmetics are the biggest sellers, but new categories such as handbags, sunglasses and electronics are also prominent, as are spirits, wines and beers. The most popular products purchased by those who say they take advantage of duty-free discounts are spirits (64%), perfumes and beauty products (61%) and wines (51%).

DFDS expects the new shop to eventually bring in €19 million in additional revenue over the next five years, complementing the duty-free offering on board its ships and allowing customers to make bulk purchases ashore.