Duty-Free Retailer DFS to be Replaced by iShoppes at Hawaii Airports

After 63 years in Hawaii, duty-free retailer DFS is set to close this year. In its place, New York-based duty-free and specialty retail store, International Shoppes (iShoppes), will open at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Kahului Airport (OGG) this spring. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced that iShoppes was selected to take over the shops currently operated by DFS, with a 10-year contract starting on April 1.

DFS recently closed its Waikiki location on January 28 and will close its HNL store on March 31. Meanwhile, iShoppes will be renovating the spaces it is moving into, but the stores will remain open during this process.

At HNL’s Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1, iShoppes will introduce two new spaces offering a mix of retail from national and international brands, as well as local businesses. Current DFS employees and other interested individuals are encouraged to apply for jobs at the new Honolulu and Kahului airport locations.

HDOT Director Ed Sniffen states, “This new partnership with International Shoppes will bring an elevated retail experience to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Kahului Airport. We welcome International Shoppes’ investments in our state and appreciate its commitment to support island businesses and artisans by featuring Hawaii products and crafts alongside premium international brands.

Matthew Greenbaum, co-CEO of International Shoppes, also expresses excitement for this new venture, stating, “International Shoppes has spent generations building airport retail programs rooted in integrity, partnership, and long-term sustainability for all stakeholders. We are honored to work alongside HDOT at HNL and OGG as we build upon DFS’s remarkable legacy and invest in a future that celebrates Hawaii, its people, and its culture.

iShoppes currently operates stores in New York’s JFK International Airport, Washington, D. C. ‘s Dulles International Airport, Baltimore’s Thurgood Marshall Airport, Hartford’s Bradley International Airport, and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. With this expansion into Hawaii, iShoppes continues to grow its presence in major airports across the United States.

In conclusion, DFS will be closing its doors in Hawaii this year, with iShoppes taking over its spaces at HNL and OGG airports. This new partnership promises an enhanced retail experience for travelers, showcasing a mix of both international and local brands. As iShoppes invests in the future of Hawaii’s airport retail, it also pledges to support the local community and its unique culture.