Beer is arguably the best-loved alcoholic beverage on Earth. But its profile in travel-retail varies greatly from location to location. Some operators depend on it, others avoid it. John Rimmer talks to retailers for whom beer is a staple and assesses the potential for growth.

Few rivalries are more intense than those between brewers, but all suppliers agree that the travel-retail market offers sound growth potential. John Rimmer speaks to some of the leading companies about the duty-free year so far.

In Central America sales fell dramatically in the month following the devastating attacks in the US on September 11. But since then, the region?s airports and border stores have benefited as fewer people travel to the US. Desmond Begg speaks to Panamanian operator Waked Internacional, one of the region?s leading retailers.

In the past two years Weitnauer has streamlined its activities in Central and South America. It has sold its operations in both El Salvador and Colombia to Waked Internacional, but its commitment to Nicaragua remains firm.

A period of consolidation has seen InterDuty Free Dominicana become the leading duty-free retailer in the Dominican Republic and extend its retail operations to the US/Mexican border.

Travel-retail is not a homogeneous industry suffering from the burdens of a post-September 11 crisis. As our reports on the ferry market demonstrate, business on the UK to France cross-Channel routes is robust, despite the downturn in travel elsewhere. Isabelle Caprano assesses how the sector, hit so hard by abolition in 1999, is holding up today.

Although talk of recession hit ferry traffic earlier in the year, Nordic and Baltic routes have been relatively unaffected by the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11. And operators in the region remain positive. Gavin Lipsith reports.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA) has shown its belief in the future of Asia/Pacific air travel by unveiling plans to develop Hong Kong International airport up to the year 2020.

GuinnessUDV has launched a collection of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky gift packs exclusive to duty-free and travel-retail. Called The Collection, the range contains nine new items, as well as a Blue Label pack and the Johnnie Walker Collection gift pack introduced in 1999.

The tragedy of September 11 had a sharp and immediate effect on travel retailers the world over?an effect that many are still coming to terms with. But how are airport authorities responding?

Jan Nygren has been appointed vice-president in charge of business development at Swedish research firm Generation Group.

One of the duty-free world?s most experienced executives is seeking a position or consultancy in the inflight retail and supply sector. Svein Husevold, former manager inflight sales programs at Northwest Airlines, has spent over 30 years in the customer service, travel-retail and airline industries.

ISRAEL. Israeli operators are in crisis discussions with the airport authority at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion about possible rent relief following a fall-off in traffic of 70?80% since September 11.

SWITZERLAND. The Nuance Group has reiterated that its sale should be completed by the end of this month. A short-list has been drawn up of eight to 10 companies, DFNI understands. Most are financial investment companies?though some industry players, including DFS Group, are through to the final stage, according to one of the bidders.

US. Hopes that the troubled global travel sector would make an early recovery from the post-September 11 crisis have been dashed by the tragic loss of American Airlines flight 587 over New York on November 12.

EUROPE. One area which is still trading brightly since the events of September 11 is the Nordic/Baltic region. Ferry operators there claim to have been unaffected by recent terrorist and military activity.

INDIA. India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC) has told DFNI it is ?examining its options? after its recent tender inviting companies to bid for retail and logistics support failed to attract enough interest. DFNI understands that no bidders emerged for the five-year contract.

BELGIUM. About 20 bids have been lodged with Brussels International Airport Co (BIAC) for retail contracts at Zaventem airport?s new pier A, due to open in May 2002.

SEYCHELLES. The Seychelles Marketing Board, a division of which operates duty-free stores exclusively on the islands, has revamped and upgraded its facilities at two leading airports, Mahé and Praslin.

HONG KONG. The Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA) has shown its belief in the future of Asia/Pacific air travel by unveiling plans to develop Hong Kong International airport up to the year 2020. The move, which will increase passenger capacity to 87m a year, includes expansion of the terminal building, a new Midfield concourse, development of SkyCity to include new retail areas, and an exhibition and trade centre area.

US. The Falic Group, new owner of Duty Free Americas (formerly World Duty Free Americas), has cut 25 jobs in the company?s Glen Burnie office and made further cuts in its southern border operation.

URUGUAY. The four bidders for the duty-free concession at Montevideo Carrasco airport are awaiting a final decision by mid-December. Neutral, Operadora de Aero-Boutiques, Brasif and Aldeasa have submitted technical bids, now being analysed by a committee set up by the Uruguayan Ministry of Defence.

SWEDEN. SAS Trading stands to lose $60m after failing to win the key duty-free concessions at Sweden?s leading airports, where it has operated for 30 years. The losses amount to about one-third of the company?s total business.

GuinnessUDV has launched a collection of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky gift packs exclusive to duty-free and travel-retail.

Cigar and premium cigarette supplier Nat Sherman had an upbeat message for the trade at this year?s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.

The Canadian government has provoked fresh concern among duty-free operators in the country by raising the export tax on Canadian-manufactured tobacco products.

A new gift box from J Cortès offers travellers an opportunity to learn about cigars while enjoying them.

Estée Lauder is offering a new Total Face Color Palette exclusively in travel-retail markets worldwide.

Lindt & Sprüngli is confident that most of its big customers will be equipped with its new branded units in the next few months.

Response to the revamp of SAS Trading?s specialist confectionery store at Copenhagen Kastrup airport this year has led to a similar design approach in the duty-free store at Malmö.

Selected gift items are selling out as fast as Hoverspeed can supply them, according to purchasing manager Andy Butcher.

Swiss gifts and writing instruments supplier Caran d?Ache has unveiled ambitious aims for the year ahead.

Icelandic operator Leonard has tripled its duty-free turnover at Keflavik airport since it took over the government-run store in 1997 and won the exclusive rights to sell jewellery and watches.

More exhibitors from the fashion business at TFWA World Exhibition helped to increase the sector?s share to 19.6%, bringing it close to the 20.1% share held by the liquor category.