Making up is hard to do in South America at the moment. Brazil and Argentina remain hot locations, but the rest of the continent sways in the balance. Yet consumers and suppliers are putting on brave faces despite the turbulence, as Jane Labous reports.

Against a backdrop of legal action and tensions between landlord and operators, the construction of new shopping areas at some of Mexico?s biggest airports goes on. Airport authority Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste insists that the Cancún, Merida and Cozumel malls will open on time, and says the Aldeasa/Brasif consortium will offer travellers the best possible service. John Rimmer reports.

The latest report from Raven Fox Research, Airport Retail Opportunities Latin America & The Caribbean, looks at the rapidly-changing nature of the region?s airport retail sector. Published this month, the study from DFNI?s sister operation examines the exciting developments at more than 40 airports in over 20 countries. Raven Fox Research also details some of the emerging markets of South America.

One of the world?s longest airport retail tenures has just been agreed after a pioneering deal between Argentinian airport authority Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (AA2000) and the Exxel Group, parent company of the country?s dominant travel retailer InterBaires. In a world exclusive, InterBaires ceo Randy Emch and AA2000 commercial director Marcelo Orfila talked about the significance of the new relationship to Martin Moodie.

In 1995, Sepia was a homegrown Argentinian brand unknown outside the Latin American market. Now, as new investors bring opportunity for growth, the company has worldwide aspirations. Jane Labous talks to commercial manager duty-free Geraldina Bobbio about the brand?s success.

The addition of a skincare line to Versace Profumi?s range will not only consolidate its offering worldwide, but also ensure the house a prominent place on the Asian beauty market. Jane Labous discovers why the beauty circle is now complete for the Versace brand.

On the eve of ASUTIL 2001, DFNI surveyed a cross-section of key regional players for their opinions of the state of Latin America?s duty-free industry. There is a strong awareness of the depth of the crisis in the pivotal Brazilian and Argentinian markets. But for many, Mexico offers a source of more immediate potential growth.

Prem Puri is worldwide solutions executive in the distribution sector of IBM. He outlines his vision of B2B and its potential as a tool in the travel-retail industry.

?Now?, as the ad campaign for Accenture (formerly Arthur Anderson Consulting) says, ?it gets interesting?. The Nuance Group, the world?s number-two travel retailer and largest airport shop operator, is for sale, just five years after it was acquired (as Allders International) for $248m.

ASIA/PACIFIC. Vietnamese retailer Imex Pan-Pacific is handing over management and supply of duty-free products to a new company, Asia Wave International, from October 9. The supply business is currently handled by Swiss company Weitnauer.

SWITZERLAND. Zürich airport authority Unique Zürich is planning a programme of retail tenders for its new Midfield terminal. The move is part of a SFr2.4bn ($1.34bn) expansion plan which will double retail space, adding 40 new stores by November 2004.

JAPAN. Following its first venture into branded fashion retail last year, Japanese airport authority New Tokyo International Airport Authority (NAA) will open six new boutiques at Tokyo Narita airport terminal one later this month.

JAPAN. A row over new retail space has erupted at Japan?s second biggest airport, Osaka Kansai.

ARGENTINA. Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (AA2000) has granted InterBaires a 17-year extension to the retailer?s duty-free contract. Exclusive to DFNI: By Martin Moodie

SWITZERLAND. In a dramatic reversal of policy, Swissair Group is to auction its $1.1bn travel-retail arm The Nuance Group, the world?s largest airport retailer. The news was exclusively revealed by DFNI E-MAIL on August 30. By Dermot Davitt

NORWAY. SAS Trading will be among the leading concessionaires when Oslo Gardermoen airport?s new commercial areas open next year.

JAPAN. King Power Group has made its most significant step into the Japanese duty-free market since subsidiary King Power (Japan) was established a year ago. Exclusive: By John Rimmer