Press Release: Davidoff unveils new Retail Concept at Zürich Airport – the 21st Century Cigar store

November 30, 2011 (Zurich) — On 1 December 2011 the Oettinger Davidoff Group unveils its new retail concept and design when opening the first of its kind Davidoff Flagship Store in the redesigned Airside Center at Zurich Airport. At the very heart of the approx. 60m2 store is a 30m2 walk-in humidor with generous glass frontage. The interior decoration with warm colors and wooden lamellae radiates “Caribbean feeling”. Part of the new store design concept is the new iPad in-store app to help finding your personal cigar or the nearest cigar lounge. The opening of the Davidoff Flagship Store at Zurich Airport is also signaling the roll-out of the new store concept around the globe and underscores the importance of both the duty free & travel retail channel and the new global retail strategy of the Oettinger Davidoff Group.

Davidoff’s new retail concept was designed by Stories, a French retail agency, with extensive experience in the luxury retail market and driven by Davidoff’s strategy of being the 21st century cigar destination retailer and demonstrating the brands legendary crossroads of innovation, savoir- faire and savoir-vivre. The US, Greater China and Global Duty Free are at the center of Davidoff’s investment strategy in the years to come.

Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oettinger Davidoff Group says: “We are crowning the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first Davidoff store opened in Geneva with the introduction of a 21st century retail concept. Renaming our Retail Brand “Davidoff of Geneva – since 1911” also signals the return to our proud roots as THE multibrand tobacco specialist. By implementing this new retail store concept in one of the most important duty free destinations we also underscore the great strategic importance of the duty free & travel retail channel for the Oettinger Davidoff Group”.

“Caribbean Feeling” already before staring into the sun – exactly this atmosphere passengers will find from 1 December 2011 in the new Davidoff Flagship Store at Zurich Airport. Recreating the flair and savoir faire of the Dominican Republic, the country of origin of Davidoff cigars, the new store stands for its professional advice with a broad quality range and as an oasis of peace and tranquility at the often so frantic airport. Caribbean wooden lamellae, American cherry wood and warm colors as well as the harmonious illumination ensure a comfortable atmosphere. Part of the 60m2 store with inviting entrance is also a 30m2 walk-in humidor with broad glass frontage – the heart of the new store. The unobtrusive modern design consists of a combination of traditional classic and contemporary elements.

Dan Ozmezguine, Associate Partner of Paris based Stories, the agency responsible for the new store design, says: “We feel honored that the Oettinger Davidoff Group has entrusted us with this amazing project. The implementation of the first store in the new duty free area at Zurich Airport was an exciting challenge and we are looking forward to further projects – also on landside.”

The new Flagship Store concept will be implemented from 2012 in Davidoff stores around the globe.

In touch with the latest trends – first iPad in-store app
Another innovation is awaiting visitors of the new airport store. With the first iPad in-store app customers can evaluate their favorite cigars on the iPad. In return they only have to answer four questions concerning their personal smoking habits. In addition, the app informs customers about the position of the nearest cigar lounge. The app, of course, also contains product information about the Davidoff range. The customer can send the selected information directly to his own mail account. Furthermore, there is the alternative to send the contents via Twitter and Facebook to friends. History and milestones of Davidoff as well as a variety of films, which give an understanding of the world of tobacco, can be found on the iPad.

100 years of Davidoff of Geneva
This year Davidoff of Geneva celebrates its 100th anniversary. Henri Davidoff, who came from Kiev to Switzerland due to political unrest, opened in 1911 the first tobacco store in Geneva and laid the foundations for today’s world-wide network of 65 Davidoff Flagship Stores. Henri Davidoff‘s son, Zino, learned the tobacco trade from scratch and stayed several years in South and Central America to deepen his knowledge of tobacco and cigars. In 1930 he returned to Switzerland and successfully managed the business for forty years. In 1970 Zino Davidoff transferred the business to the Oettinger Group.

With the international luxury brand Davidoff the company appeals to connoisseurs all over the world in order to acquaint them with The Good Life – the art of living and pleasure. The premium brand Davidoff stands for a culture of conscious enjoyment and reflection in today’s hectic world. Enjoyment of beautiful and precious things, of pleasure and of life itself unites Davidoff with people all around the world who have come to appreciate our superior products and who expect absolute top quality every day – a promise kept by Davidoff.