Retail excellence meets local identity: JAH Arabia International Duty Free opens in Jeddha

JAH Arabia International Duty Free LLC – the joint venture of Gebr. Heinemann, Astra Group and Jordanian Duty Free Shops – has opened its new retail space at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah under the retail brand Jeddah Duty Free.

The total retail space at the airport spans approximately 11,500 square meters. The shops operated by JAH Arabia International Duty Free LLC are located at Terminal 1 and the North Terminal, offering travelers a unique blend of international luxury and regional authenticity.

A Diverse Retail Landscape with Exclusive Concepts

The vast new retail space consists of several shops and provides memorable shopping experiences across categories such as beauty, confectionery, fine food, tobacco, souvenirs, fashion, accessories, and jewelry. The entire sales team consists of Saudi nationals, ensuring a culturally resonant and welcoming atmosphere.

The retail space at Terminal 1 encompasses around 6,000 square meters. Travelers can find a large Core Duty Free shop, a shop dedicated to travel and electronics, a multibrand fashion store, and a shop devoted to sunglasses, watches and travel products. Furthermore, several stand-alone boutiques highlight the exclusive shopping ambiance, including Longchamp, Michael Kors, Swarovski, Boss, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and MCM – the latter opening its first airport boutique in Saudi Arabia.

Also featured in Terminal 1 is a Souk, a traditional Arabian market, which reflects the regional identity with local products such as chocolate, dates, nuts, and prayer rugs. However, the local touch is not limited to the Souk. The beauty assortment, for example, includes perfumes from Arabian brands like Bugshan, Sahari, Musk, Almas, Ghalati, and Le Bonheur. Standing out among the new offering is the “Scents of Jeddah” collection – three exclusive fragrances developed by perfume creator Majda Bekkali specifically for Jeddah Duty Free, capturing the essence of the region.

At Terminal 1, there is also an Arrivals shop that will be further expanded in the future. Terminal North boasts a retail area of around 2,000 square meters with an offering across all categories.

‍“Collaboration and a Shared Vision”

Simon Forde, CEO of JAH Arabia International Duty Free LLC, said, “We are committed to delivering a world-class shopping experience to the travelers that reflects the uniqueness of King Abdulaziz International Airport by striking the perfect balance between a global mindset and local culture. What we achieved here with the development of the retail space is strongly showcasing the values of collaboration and a shared vision. I am deeply thankful to all joint venture partners and JEDCO who made this an outstanding success.”

Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports, commented, “We are delighted to welcome passengers to the Duty Free, which reflects the status of King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah’s rich culture.

“The new Duty Free aims to deliver exceptional shopping options and enhance services available to passengers at the airport. It will undoubtedly contribute to increasing revenues, diversifying income sources, creating new investment opportunities for local and international investors, and generating direct and indirect job opportunities for Saudi youth in line with the National Aviation Strategy aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

“This success was achieved thanks to the close collaboration with our partner, JAH Arabia International Duty Free, and with the support of our success partners across both government and private sectors.”

Max Heinemann, Co-CEO at Gebr. Heinemann, added, “We see great potential in the Saudi market and are very proud to have taken this important step with the opening of the new retail space in Jeddah. With both Astra Group and Jordanian Duty Free Shops, we have found strong and trustful partners, and we are very thankful for the confidence they have placed in us.”

Astra Group Chairman, Sabih Masri, said, “At Astra Group, we are truly proud to be part of this journey. This project isn’t just about opening a world-class retail space – it's about what can happen when great partners come together around a shared vision. For us, it reflects the very heart of Vision 2030: building meaningful local partnerships, opening new doors in tourism and retail, and showcasing what Saudi talent and investment can do. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordanian Duty Free Shops Company,  H.E. Ayman Riad Al-Mufleh, stated, “This remarkable achievement reflects the company’s capabilities and extensive expertise through its executive team in implementing this project,  highlighting that the company has leveraged its long-standing experience in managing and operating duty free markets, which was earned through its wide global network of relationships, both Arab and international as a recognition for its performance.”

Eng. Haitham Al-Majali, Chief Executive Officer of the Jordanian Duty Free Shops Company, added, “The project has created numerous job opportunities for Jordanian youth in key positions both at the company’s headquarters and at Jeddah Airport. The Jordanian Duty Free Shops will continue, alongside its partners to expand operations at land and sea border centers across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”