Le Clos

Dubai based Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), picked up the prestigious Travel Retail Operator of the year award for its fine wine and spirit retail outlets Le Clos, during the 2009 Drinks International Awards in Cannes. The awards, held during the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) exhibition, aim to recognise the best launches, marketing, packaging and outlets in travel retail globally.

The international panel of judges acknowledged MMI, from a wide field of local, regional and international travel retail operators, citing their ability to successfully open two Le Clos outlets during a tough trading climate. In addition, Le Clos was honoured for its superior selection of rare wines and spirits and for providing customers with a highly trained, multilingual team capable of accurately guiding and assisting customers in their purchases.

Andrew Day, Chief Executive Officer, Maritime and Mercantile International said: "We are delighted and honoured that Le Clos has been recognised by the international travel retail drinks community. Le Clos represents MMI’s commitment to offering customers a truly unique wine and spirit retail destination. The stores embody a passion for quality with a vision to create a relaxed, welcoming environment where both serious collectors and novices have access to some of the world’s most exquisite spirits and rarest wine vintages.

"Although still in its infancy, we believe that Le Clos has the makings to become one of the most successful global retailers of fine wines and spirits. There is a clear demand for this type of retailer and together with a strong, highly qualified sales team I look forward to the continued success of Le Clos across the coming months and into the future."

Le Clos is a truly unique shopping experience unlike any other duty free retailer. With an ambiance akin to walking into your own personal cellar, complete with rustic leather chairs, original crates and wood furnishings, the quietly luxurious setting creates the perfect backdrop for Le Clos to showcase its extensive portfolio.

These awards are chosen by an editorial committee at DFNI and are the magazine’s chance to highlight the best new products, best marketing campaigns and best new store openings in the travel-retail market in 2009.

'MMI Maritime and Mercantile International’s (MMI) two Le Clos stores at Dubai International airport T3 took duty-free liquor retailing in the Middle East to new heights this year. The stores’ relaxed, cellar-cum-gentlemen’s- club design, and the superb array of fine French wines, aged single malts, high-end cognacs and dark rums stocked, exude a feeling to shoppers that MMI really knows its stuff.'