Big Five has Winners Taking Off in Style

Conveniently located just seconds away from boarding gates in departure lounges acrosss South Africa for all business and leisure travellers, Big Five Duty Free like to say: “We are always taking off!”

That must be the reason why lucky 2013 SPAR gsport Awards guests who walked away with a luxury hamper courtesy Africa’s leading travel retail brand were left gasping:

“Such a wonderful and big hamper from Big Five Duty Free! Christmas came very early, everything in it is so great – chocolates, clutch bag. A big thank you for spoiling us,” exclaimed the 2013 SPAR gsport Athlete of the Year, Mapaseka Makhanya.

LORD IN HEAVEN the @gsport4girls Goodie Bag is the best I have EVER received !!!! I am doing a one man mexican wave here !!!! @KassNaidoo

— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) November 22, 2013

“I’ve just unpacked my Judge’s goodie bag- all I can say is “wow”. It’s an Aladdin’s Cave,” wrote SPAR gsport Awards judge Jane Bramley.

“I do like to receive gifts myself,” admits Big Five Duty Free Advertising and Promotions Administrator, Helena Melis, “And I do prefer a mix of special and useful. I have tried to add both these elements into our gifts this year,” she adds with a smile.

On why the luxury travel brand puts so much into spoiling gsport Award winners, Melis says: “We hope to bring a smile to the face of each winner while they enjoy our gifts in their leisure time, knowing that all their hard work and dedication is acknowledged and appreciated.”

The company has a 50 year history, and its goal is to offer the finest international and South African brand selection in perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery and liquor, as well as provide the unique retail experience to all travelling shoppers.

“We are core duty free. In other words, we keep a wide selection of fragrance, liquor, confectionary and tobacco with stores in each international departure lounge in South Africa,” explains Melis. “Our customers are all business and leisure passengers, departing and arriving to and from all of the international airports in South Africa!”

Not only a leader in its field, but also in heart, Big Five Duty Free provides sponsorship for athletes from within the company for team participation in Absa Cape Epic Cycle Race, the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge (with proceeds going to Little Leaps School for Autism), and sponsorship of a runner in the Comrades Marathon.

Together with Cadbury’s and Distell, the company prepared care packages for each of South African Olympic and Paralympic participants in 2011, “Both of which we were unbelievably proud and excited to be a part of,” adds Melis.

The no-nonsense business’ woman’s advice for stress-free duty free shopping is: “Check in early- don’t leave this to the last minute; as security and passport control can take time out of your shopping experience.”

She suggests that travelers acclimatise themselves once in the transit area, locate the direction of their boarding gates and ascertain details including boarding time.

“Then you can shop with no stress! Enjoy our environment. Especially, take time to browse our various promotions and special offers – unique to our environment, and always great value!”

Photo Caption: Unveiled as the 2013 gsport Woman of the Year, international rugby referee Marlize Jordaan accepts her trophy from Big Five Duty Free Advertising and Promotions Administrator, Helena Melis, at the 2013 SPAR gsport Awards hosted at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, 20 November, 2013. Luxury hamper partner to the gsport Awards, Big Five Duty Free supplied heaving hampers for select Awards winners and VIP guests, packed to the brim and heaving goodies featuring a selection of special and useful, hand-picked by Mrs Melis personally. Photo: Rebecca Hearfield / gsport