BEYOND RETAIL: ODEL EXPLORES NEW COMMERCIAL FRONTIERS THROUGH TOURISM AND PARTNERSHIPS
ODEL Hospitality Night highlights how strategic partnerships, tourism and customer acquisition can create new opportunities for retail growth
COLOMBO, OCTOBER 2026: As Sri Lanka looks to maximise the economic potential of tourism, opportunities are emerging at the intersection of hospitality, retail and lifestyle experiences. For established retailers, the challenge is no longer simply attracting customers into stores, but building new channels that connect brands with customers wherever their journeys begin.
ODEL is exploring this opportunity by developing a more connected commercial ecosystem around its Ward Place destination, bringing together tourism partners, hospitality businesses, corporate clients and lifestyle brands.
This vision took centre stage at ODEL Hospitality Night, The Place to Be, held on 1 October at ODEL Alexandra Place and hosted by Terry O’Connor, CEO of Fashion Retail. The gathering brought together representatives from Sri Lanka’s travel, tourism, hospitality and business communities to explore opportunities for collaboration and commercial growth.
A key highlight was the introduction of the ODEL × LUV SL Branded Tuk Tuk Programme, conceptualised by Thushi Weerasinghe to connect Colombo’s tourism transport network with ODEL’s retail destinations. The initiative transforms the existing Ward Place driver network into a structured customer acquisition channel, using branded visibility, tourist referrals and performance based incentives to generate retail opportunities while creating additional earning potential for participating drivers.
Addressing the gathering, Terry outlined an initial pilot involving 15 branded tuk tuks, with ambitions to expand the network across the district. The longer term vision extends to ODEL outlets, Cotton Collection and LUV SL, creating a wider channel through which visitors can discover the Group’s retail offerings.
The strategy also includes LUV SL’s “Take Sri Lanka Home” proposition, which positions Sri Lankan fashion, lifestyle products, gifts and souvenirs as part of the visitor experience. The ODEL Digital Travel Partner Platform and National Guide programme complement this approach by providing structured referral mechanisms and greater visibility of partner generated business.
Beyond tourism, proposed opportunities involving Bally’s and Central Retail explore new routes to high value customer segments. The Softlogic and Central Retail proposition considers connections across fashion, supermarkets, healthcare, hospitality and food and beverage, with potential access to Central Retail’s 23 million member loyalty ecosystem.
ODEL is also expanding its corporate offering through Corporate Gifting, Seasonal Gift Hampers and Gift Cards, creating additional opportunities in client appreciation, employee rewards and business gifting.
The broader commercial proposition is built around a simple principle: connecting businesses and customer networks that might otherwise operate independently. Hotels have guests, travel partners have visitors, corporate organisations have employees and clients, and retailers have products and experiences. Strategic partnerships can bring these networks together to generate measurable value for all involved.
For ODEL, the opportunity extends beyond increasing footfall at Ward Place. It lies in developing new revenue channels, strengthening customer acquisition and positioning retail as part of a wider tourism and lifestyle experience.
As the boundaries between retail, hospitality and tourism continue to evolve, the competitive advantage may belong to businesses that know how to turn partnerships into measurable commercial growth.
