The Middle East remains a vital global feeder market for Printemps Paris, the iconic Boulevard Haussmann luxury institution celebrating Parisian elegance since 1865. To entice regional travellers, Printemps has launched a premium in-store activation for Eid Al Adha 2026, featuring storewide discounts, Arabic-speaking personal shoppers, and VIP lounge access.
Backed by premier regional partnerships with Qatar Airways
and VISA GCC, Deputy Director of Business Development, Romain Bernard, sits
down with us to outline their evolved luxury service model, while extending an
exclusive, year-round 5 per cent shopping discount specifically for TTN readers.
Please provide an overview of Printemps Paris and its
footprint in the heart of the French capital.
Bernard: Printemps Paris has been a true Parisian institution since 1865, located in the heart of the French capital on Boulevard Haussmann. More than a department store, Printemps offers a unique lifestyle destination combining luxury shopping, French savoir-faire, gastronomy, architecture, culture, and highly personalised services. With its iconic Art Nouveau dome, exclusive fashion selection, fine jewellery, beauty, gourmet experiences, and tailored hospitality, Printemps embodies the elegance and creativity of Paris while continuously reinventing the customer experience for international visitors.
Romain Bernard
What bespoke activations and seasonal promotions has
Printemps curated specifically for Middle Eastern guests during this year’s Eid
period?
Bernard: Yes, for Eid Al Adha 2026, from May 20
to June 7, Printemps has curated a dedicated high-end in-store experience
specifically designed for our Middle Eastern guests. This exclusive experience
includes 5 per cent discount on purchases storewide (excluding Louis Vuitton,
Goyard, and Chanel), 12 per cent tax refund, a gourmet break at Nina Métayer,
access to an Arabic-speaking Personal Shopper, VIP Lounge access, a private
salon experience, and shopping delivery services. Our ambition is to offer a
seamless, luxurious, and memorable Parisian shopping journey combining comfort,
exclusivity, and personalised attention.
We are also proud to offer TTN readers an
exclusive shopping experience available throughout the year at Printemps Paris.
This privileged offer includes 5 per cent discount on purchases storewide, 12
per cent tax refund, and a gourmet break, allowing Middle Eastern travellers to
enjoy an elevated and rewarding shopping experience whenever they visit Paris.
For luxury shoppers seeking exclusivity, what
personalised services - such as private suites or bespoke personal shoppers -
are currently available?
Bernard: Absolutely. Exclusive and personalised
services are fully available upon request. Printemps currently works with 50
Personal Shoppers, including 15 Arabic-speaking experts dedicated to serving
GCC and Middle Eastern clientele. Guests can also be connected with a Personal
Shopper even before travelling to Paris. This allows our teams to understand
their preferences, favourite brands, sizes, wish lists, and lifestyle
expectations in advance, in order to prepare an entirely bespoke and private
shopping experience ahead of arrival.
Are there any key partnerships, airline affiliations, or
hospitality collaborations that you would like to highlight to the Middle
Eastern travel trade?
Bernard: Yes, we are very proud of our strong
partnerships across the GCC region. Among them, we can highlight collaborations
with VISA GCC, American Express Saudi Arabia, and Qatar Airways, alongside
several premium hospitality and travel partners across the Middle East. These
partnerships allow us to continuously strengthen our relationship with regional
travellers and provide exclusive benefits and tailored experiences for their
clients.
How does the Middle East currently rank within your
global feeder markets, and how has your service model evolved to meet the
specific cultural preferences of the GCC traveller?
Bernard: The Middle East represents a highly
important market for Printemps Paris. Over the years, we have continuously
adapted our services and experiential journey to better meet the expectations,
lifestyle, and cultural preferences of GCC travellers. Whether guests are
travelling as couples, families, or groups of friends, we tailor the experience
accordingly to ensure comfort, privacy, hospitality, and exclusivity. Our
objective is always to create a warm, refined, and highly personalised
environment that reflects the expectations of Middle Eastern luxury travellers.
What innovations has Printemps implemented regarding
tax-refund efficiency, home-delivery services, or digital concierge tools for
international shoppers?
Bernard: Regarding tax refund services, Printemps has implemented an immediate in-store tax refund solution, allowing guests to benefit from a faster and more seamless process directly on site. For clients enjoying a Personal Shopping experience, the entire tax refund process can also be fully managed by the Personal Shopper for maximum convenience. On the hospitality side, we have adapted our gastronomic offerings to international preferences, notably through our collaboration with Noura, the renowned Lebanese caterer highly appreciated by GCC clientele. Finally, our luxury experience now begins even before arrival in Paris: clients are connected with their Personal Shopper while still in their home country, enabling us to anticipate expectations, prepare curated selections, and create a fully private showroom experience tailored to each guest. Throughout their stay, clients remain in direct contact with their Personal Shopper for any additional or last-minute requests. -TTN