Yasmin Kapoor: Harbinger of change

Kapoor almost single-handedly established the Indian Duty-Free Services Pvt Ltd (IDFS), creating room for fresh experiences for travellers and tourists in the retail segment. She may have faced all kinds of adversities in the Indian market, but emerged smiling and rich.

LibraThe price of her success is reflected at the expansive duty-free zone of Delhi’s international airport. Once it had a handful of glorified shops, now it looks like an extended shopping mall offering a world class multi category retail experience.

She comes from a strong business family and after completing her masters in Comparative English, Kapoor decided to venture out to establish her own business. With an innate liking and interest in retail, she started with a concept to showcase global products in luxury travel retail and domestic retail markets.

Kapoor started IDFS with the first inflight retail experience with Jet Airways and gradually expanded her wings to operate 40,000 sq. ft. of retail space in arrivals and departures at Delhi across all categories.

This was back in the 90s, when Kapoor could hardly talk about her work with extended families for the fear of judgement, common in Indian families. This, however, did not deter her from expanding the liquor and cigar portfolios and, in turn, bringing brands like Sampoorna from Indonesia, Karelia from Greece Imperial Tobacco from the UK- creating the Single Malt Experience Zone, and operating the largest Cigar Humidor range in India in the Travel retail segment.

It was under her stewardship the company established their domestic retail wing with Koncept Retail Services in 2017-18. The Indian cosmetic market felt threatened as Kapoor brought top quality retail standards at domestic airports showcasing the best of international prestige and niche brands.

In short, she changed the dynamics of luxury shopping experiences in India. Let’s read into her mind to know the person behind such prolific achievements:

HARBINGER OF CHANGE

Well, I am glad I could carve a niche and create a platform that provides both luxurious and quality products to its clientele. To have ventured into this untapped domain and make it profitable has been a very rewarding journey. Yes, I am happy that I brought about that change.

ON BEING A WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR

My family backed me. But when I was building IDFS, I spent more time in the office and less at home. I would often feel guilty that I was not giving enough time to my family. Women across the world have to multi-task, it was no different for me. I went ahead because for me it was a leap of faith. I guess that makes us good entrepreneurs. Soon success walked through my door.

PASSION

As cliche as it sounds, my work is genuinely my passion. I learn new things on the job, I seek new avenues for business.

HOBBY

I am a private person and I like reconnecting with self, music is actually my soul.

FITNESS MANTRA

I am not a fitness freak, but do my pilates twice a week. And stretching keeps you agile. Being vegan helps me burn fat easily.

YOUR VIEWPOINT ON SUCCESS

I believe true success comes when you can preserve your values and authenticity. We ensure quality in our business and that for me is the idea of success.

YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME

Music keeps my soul calm.

WHOM DO YOU GO TO FOR ADVICE IN TIME OF NEED

My mentor, whatever the situation be, he is objective while giving me guidance.

YOUR STRENGTH

My daughters and the fact that one of them is working with IDFS gives me immense joy whilst the second one builds her career as a CA in England.

(A marketing initiative by Open Avenues)

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