For travelers bound for the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan, the journey from Singapore now begins with a touch of elevated retail luxury. The newly opened duty free store at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is giving passengers another reason to linger before boarding, blending convenience, design, and sustainability in one refreshed seaside shopping space.
Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore has officially launched its latest duty free store at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, following its long-term concession appointment earlier this year. The store’s grand opening, held on 15 September 2025, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the senior leadership of Singapore Cruise Centre, brand partners, and the Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore executive team. The development marks the start of a new partnership between Lagardère Travel Retail and Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) to enhance the retail experience for ferry passengers traveling through one of the city’s key maritime gateways.
“We are excited to embark on this long-term collaboration with Singapore Cruise Centre to elevate the travel retail experience for ferry passengers,” said Ann Pang, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore. “Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey together—one that we believe will create memorable experiences for millions of travelers who will pass through this key terminal.”
The new store adds to Lagardère’s growing portfolio in Singapore, where it already operates retail outlets across all business lines, including Duty Free & Fashion, Travel Essentials, and Dining. With the addition of Tanah Merah, the company now offers a complete, seamless suite of retail experiences across both Singapore’s airports and ferry terminals.
The opening also reinforces the growing importance of the ferry network as a gateway for regional tourism. According to Singapore Cruise Centre CEO Jacqueline Tan, Tanah Merah and HarbourFront Passenger Terminal serve as vital links to nearby resort destinations. “The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and HarbourFront Passenger Terminal are the key gateway to popular destinations such as Batam and Bintan, where we continue to see strong growth and rising passenger volumes,” she said. “This new duty free store is a key milestone in enhancing the overall travel experience for our customers.”
Inside, the new store blends retail sophistication with design cues inspired by Singapore’s natural beauty. Calming greens, oceanic blues, and warm wood textures echo the nation’s lush greenery and coastal surroundings, creating a space that feels both contemporary and serene. The layout complements the ferry terminal’s architecture, ensuring a seamless flow between land and sea as travelers move toward their departures. This sense of connection—between travel and place—is central to Lagardère’s design philosophy, which emphasizes local character and sensory experience.
Beyond aesthetics, sustainability plays a leading role in the store’s concept. The company has incorporated eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient LED lighting, and upcycled display fixtures to reduce its environmental footprint. This approach aligns with Singapore’s Tourism 2040 vision, which encourages sustainable and innovative growth in travel infrastructure. By prioritizing environmentally conscious design, Lagardère Travel Retail aims to set a new standard for how duty free spaces can contribute to the broader sustainability movement in global retail.
The timing is strategic. With the Singapore Cruise Centre playing a vital role in the Fly-Ferry connectivity arrangement with Changi Airport, the integration of high-quality retail experiences across terminals strengthens Singapore’s position as an integrated travel hub. For visitors, it offers one more memorable touchpoint in a journey that often bridges city sophistication and island relaxation.
As the travel retail landscape continues to evolve, Lagardère’s latest venture reflects a wider trend of blending luxury, local identity, and responsibility. For travelers catching the next ferry to a nearby island resort, this new stop at Tanah Merah is more than a place to shop—it’s a prelude to the adventure ahead.
More information about Lagardère Travel Retail and its operations can be found at lagardere-tr.com.
