d THE STYLE superstore
Marbella’s special relationship with
EL CORTE INGLÉS As residents of Marbella we feel privileged to have a grand department store like El Corte Inglés in Puerto Banús on our doorstep, yet within Spain it ranks as one of the leading flagship stores in the country. We talked with Gaël Vignon, El Corte Inglés Eastern Andalusia International Marketing Director, about the ins & outs of the strategies aimed at residential tourism on the coast, and on how the Company flagship Store of Marbella is adapting to the local market’s very unique customer profiles & trends. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN
The Gourmet section is a joy for the senses
M
arbella’s El Corte Inglés department store is not only treasured by those who live and visit here, it is also one of the jewels in the famous brand’s crown. Why? Because not only is this in many ways a very unique El Corte Inglés unlike most across the country, but it is also a reference for luxury brands like no other, and perhaps not surprisingly enjoys the highest per capita spend of all. The reason behind these statistics is a highly complex and diverse market made up of many different nationalities and seasonal factors that range from tourist surges in the summer to fluctuating second home resident levels and an unusually high proportion of affluent homeowners and visitors. In short, Marbella is a market unto itself, and thus requires a management team with a more international approach than similar stores across the length and breadth of Spain.
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