DFS Group has opened a new wines and spirits flagship duplex store at Singapore’s Changi Airport – the first of its kind in the world.

The 11.400 sqft store at Terminal 3 is DFS Group’s largest single retail space for wines, spirits and tobacco.

Designed by Masamichi Katayama, the award-winning interior designer and founder of design firm Wonderwall, the store showcases the luxury retailer’s full assortment of wines, spirits and tobacco in a visually dramatic environment and façade inspired by flowing water and undulating shapes. Within the store, warm and modern design elements accentuated by a double-height atrium measuring over eight meters high provides an inviting shopping and tasting environment for travellers.

Amongst the store’s most innovative features are expanded common areas designed especially for lifestyle and cultural experiences. This includes a Raffles Long Bar – in collaboration with one of Singapore’s most historical landmarks, the Raffles Hotel – the ground-floor atrium tasting bars and a private lounge. The Long Bar will serve its famed cocktail invention, the original Singapore Sling. These common areas also provide space for guided tastings and a monthly program of exciting and interactive activities, featuring master classes for cocktail mixology, bartending and hosting at home.

Philippe Schaus, CEO and chairman of DFS Group, said that when the company embarked on the project, it wanted to open a wines and spirits store of “a quality and richness unlike anywhere else in the world”.

“That is why we secured the collaboration of Masamichi Katayama to build this one-of-a-kind, two-level experiential store, drawing inspiration from the most stylish bars and restaurants around the world as well as on the traditional and historic cellars of France and Scotland.

“This project would not have been possible without the close collaboration and shared vision between DFS and the farsighted management team of Changi Airport.”

DFS’ Loyal T customers can access The Lounge by DFS for an elevated shopping experience. From private viewings to new personal shopping across all product categories of DFS, Changi Airport stores, customers will be treated to a personalised level of service.

In the new duplex store, DFS also introduces Changi’s first branded boutiques for wines and spirits, situated on the second floor. Nine brands – Absolut, Dom Pérignon, Glenfiddich, Hendrick’s, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, The Macallan, Martell, and Penfolds – will showcase their heritage and their finest products within individually-designed boutiques, from the travel trunk-inspired Johnnie Walker House to the Glenfiddich boutique’s cellar and cask design.

The store will also host visits from master distillers, blenders and brand ambassadors throughout the year, and unveil worldwide product launches for these nine brands.

“For over 30 years, travellers have shopped with DFS at Changi Airport because we are the destination for the best in wines, spirits and tobacco. Our new store reinforces our promise to our customers, and our vision,” says Brooke Supernaw, senior VP, global merchandising – spirits, wine and tobacco.

“Travellers will discover exclusive products and unique experiences that will elevate their journey.”