November 17 2021  |  Spirits & Tobacco

The Macallan & DFA debut first Americas boutique at JFK

By Wendy Morley in New York

The Macallan has partnered with leading US operator Duty Free Americas to unveil the single malt Scotch whisky brand’s new retail experience at New York JFK Airport Terminal 7 – its first global boutique in the Americas.

The official opening, L-R Jeremy Speirs (Edrington Regional Managing Director Global Travel Retail); Leon Falic (Duty Free Americas President); Jerome Falic (CEO Duty Free Americas); James Healey (VP Business and Business Development British Airways); Steven Ebbro (Business Manager British Airways); Elida Espinosa (Regional General Manager Airport Division Duty Free Americas)

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by senior representatives from brand owner Edrington Global Travel Retail, Duty Free Americas and British Airways – a key strategic airline partner operating out of T7.

The Macallan Boutique program has seen retail experiences opened in select cities and international airports, including Dubai Airport, London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Taiwan Taoyuan International. The boutiques highlight the brand’s home in Speyside and enable consumers to explore an exclusive range of whiskies from The Macallan’s portfolio.

The team designed the boutique to bring elements of The Macallan distillery to New York, from the curved architecture to a miniature of the famous “curiously small” copper still

The 67-square-meter boutique in New York marks the fourth retail experience to be opened by The Macallan since the program launched in 2019.

It showcases a range of prestigious expressions: The Macallan Red Collection, The Macallan Fine and Rare Collection, The Macallan Boutique Collection, The Macallan Folio Series, The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages Collection, The Macallan Concept No. 3 and releases from The Macallan Exceptional Single Cask range.

For The Macallan leadership, it was important that the boutique offer whiskies not available everywhere; instead the shop offers truly luxurious releases such as The Macallan Red Series, The Macallan Black and more

Long-term partnership

The overall design of all boutiques is inspired by the brand’s Speyside home. A signature oak lattice centerpiece provides a visual connection to the innovative roof of The Macallan Distillery Experience and visitors are offered a multi-sensory experience.

Jeremy Speirs, Regional Managing Director, Edrington Global Travel Retail, said: “Launching the brand’s first boutique in the Americas is a major landmark for The Macallan and a milestone in our 10-year partnership with Duty Free Americas. Through this collaboration we are able to extend our program to one of the most prominent international air passenger gateways into North America. We are delighted to bring to life the passion, vision and excellence for which The Macallan is renowned, in a truly iconic location like New York”

Leon Falic, President, Duty Free Americas, commented: “We’re thrilled to build on our long-term partnership with The Macallan to offer travelers at JFK International Airport Terminal 7 an enhanced interaction and retail experience with one of the world’s most exclusive luxury liquor brands.”

Leon Falic stated: “The Macallan Boutique underscores Duty Free Americas’ commitment to expand our luxury retail environment, work with the best brands in the world and focus on technology and luxury merchandising. We look forward to working with The Macallan to continue to enhance the consumer shopping experience here at JFK.”

Edrington and DFA executives together in celebration of the boutique opening, L-R Jeremy Speirs (Edrington Regional Managing Director Global Travel Retail); Molly Melville (The Macallan Brand Ambassador, USA); Jennifer Fujitani (Edrington Commercial Managing Director Global Travel Retail); Marcelo Colombo (Edrington Vice President Marketing, Americas); Anthony Dieppa (Edrington Commercial Manager, Travel Retail Americas); Leon Falic (President, Duty Free Americas)

The opening has already scooped the award for Best New Shop Opening in the DFNI Americas Awards 2021. The awards were presented online during Summit of the Americas – A Virtual Experience, in April 2021.

REGION Americas
Copyright 2024 DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Sitemap