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For all its strength in Europe, World Brands Duty Free has struggled to make its mark in other key regions. But the company?Groupe Pernod Ricard?s travel-retail arm?has big ambitions in Asia/Pacific and hopes TFAP will help them come to fruition. John Rimmer finds out how World Brands plans to invade Asia.
Liquor distributor Saybrex International is building a promising business in Asia/Pacific duty-free, founded on the company?s determination to supply innovative products at competitive prices. John Rimmer talks to vice-president operations Ari Bussel about his views on the way forward for liquor.
News of the latest beauty creation spreads quickly around the globe, but the product itself may take slightly longer to appear on shelves. A steady stream of brand-savvy travelling consumers passing through duty-free outlets means the pressure is rising to stock the most up-to-date assortment. But, for some Asian retailers, supply isn?t fast enough to meet their demand.
The Asian duty-free business hasn?t always welcomed new fragrances with open arms, and neither have the region?s consumers. In Asia, retailers are much more likely to attract customers if they highlight the latest skincare or make-up item, rather than a new scent. So why are more prestige beauty suppliers trying to tempt this consumer with their latest creations? Neena Dhillon finds out.
Italian luxury goods house Salvatore Ferragamo sees retail as the best way to communicate brand identity. The company plans an ambitious store expansion programme that it hopes will create the conditions for the ultimate in luxury shopping. By Kavita Daswani.
Within a decade the fashion and accessories sector is going to usurp liquor as the second biggest in travel-retail sales value, just behind beauty. If one includes watches, jewellery and writing instruments, these general luxury goods categories combined will even surpass the beauty sector as well as the once dynamic duo of tobacco and liquor. But can airport retail environments live up to the expectations of the luxury brands to ensure this outcome? Kevin Rozario finds out.
Personal tragedy has dominated the past 12 months for Scorpio Distributors owner and managing director Stuart McGuire. But backed by a supportive family and team, he is determined to take the independent UK company forward and to focus on better times ahead. By Martin Moodie.
A new spirit of animation and entertainment is hitting duty-free following US entertainment group Warner Bros? decision to enter the sector. Responsibility for this daunting global mission lies with a new and ambitious company based in County Wicklow, Ireland. Martin Moodie reports on the stirring tale of Genesis Distribution and its plans to bring a star-studded cast including Tweety, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester and Taz to the duty-free stage.
On the eve of Tax Free Asia Pacific, TFWA ceo Andrew Ford speaks to DFNI about the new-look Asian show and the new emphasis on membership services at the association.
Despite a hurricane-free season, sales are sluggish at one of the Caribbean?s leading beauty retail specialists. Lipstick owner Jean Legoubey speaks frankly to Rebecca Mann about the difficulties facing his business.
Manchester Airport predicts it will become the UK?s busiest International airport after London Heathrow within 15 years. But as Updesh Kapur reports, the facility must deal with the issue of space constraints before its retail business can embark on a similar growth spurt.
Thailand?s duty-free landscape is about to be transformed. King Power International Group, already the country?s largest operator, will have a virtual monopoly on airport duty-free stores in Thailand from next year. Chairman and ceo Vichai Raksriaksorn speaks exclusively to DFNI about his plans for the road ahead.
Kuala Lumpur International airport is one of Asia?s most stunning recent architectural facilities. Yet the world?s leading airlines have been cutting flights to and from the location in recent months, despite a basket of financial incentives to keep them. And operators are beginning to feel the effects.
Commercial operations at Singapore Changi airport never stand still. Not only are there detailed plans for the new terminal three in 2006, but new infrastructure is slated for every week of the intervening period. More immediately, the pivotal fragrances and cosmetics concession in T2 has attracted worldwide interest.
India is going through a wave of change. The country is gradually liberalising its economy and lifting restrictions on imports. There are also louder calls to liberalise air transport, allowing foreign carriers easier and more regular access to gateway airports. Updesh Kapur reports.
Forecasting the travel and spending patterns of Asia?s consumers is like walking a tightrope at the best of times. But in the uncertain climate that has gripped the region in recent weeks, that task becomes more difficult still.
Nuance-Watson signals intent as competition intensifies at ChangiBy Dermot Davitt
As a new prime minister struggles to dismiss the downbeat mood in Japan, and a new president inherits a stumbling US economy; DFNI asks the duty-free industry whether a return to the dark days of 1997 is on the cards.
For one month in 2002, Japan and South Korea will host the biggest show on Earth. Those who loathe football may grimace but the World Cup will offer not just a festival of sport but a wealth of opportunities for the region?s travel retailers. John Rimmer asks landlords and operators about their plans to exploit the beautiful game.
Flightstore creates branded interactive shopping malls for airlines, a service which is quickly evolving from theory into reality. Director of client services Charles Vine conjures up a hypothetical Asian carrier for DFNI to demonstrate how an online mall can transform the inflight experience.
Most Asian airlines have traditionally opted to keep inflight retailing in-house. Updesh Kapur examines the issue and speaks to two airlines about their approach to the business.
SriLankan Airlines is one of a breed of Asian carriers that retains its inflight retail operation in-house. But the airline is drawing on the expertise of partner airline Emirates to improve its retail offer.
Malaysia Airlines has been at the centre of management changes as part of a push to improve profitability and performance. Updesh Kapur reports on how the changes have affected the role of subsidiary inflight retailer MAS Golden Boutique.
Hindered by unfavourable market conditions, sales of Cognac and whisky are causing some concern in Asian duty-free. While this could provide an opportunity for the white spirits category to take a bigger slice of the cake, there are many risks that must be taken to alter the status quo. John Rimmer finds out if white spirits can tempt Asian consumers.
The original Diogenes lived a life of austerity and self-mortification, and believed that all social conventions should be disregarded. His latter-day namesake, DFNI?s special correspondent, disregards most things and in so doing irritates almost everyone at one stage or another. The opinions expressed by Di Ogenes are not necessarily those of the publisher.
Retail News Analysis
INDIA. Alpha Retail has finally been given the go-ahead to build new duty-free stores at Cochin International airport in southern India after months of delay.
ASIA/PACIFIC. Travel retailers are bracing themselves for a potentially damaging downturn in Asia, fuelled by the US slowdown and the stalled Japanese economy. Although few observers believe the slump will reach the depths of 1997, fears are rising that travel patterns and sales will be hit as economic growth slows.
MEXICO. Incumbent retailers in Cancún airport, including duty-free concessionaire Weitnauer America, have formed a committee to take airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) to court. As a result a judge has issued an injunction against the allocation of new retail space at the airport.
SCANDINAVIA. Retailers in the Nordic market have had to restructure their buying operations following the bankruptcy of key Norwegian distributor Erling Qvale. The company is believed to owe suppliers millions in outstanding payments, and the liquidation caused several retailers to run out of stock.
MALAYSIA. Airport authority Malaysia Airports plans to tender two new 600sq ft (56sq m) spaces in the piers of the departures satellite terminal at Kuala Lumpur International airport, close to the departure gates. The stores would be built as islands in the piers, with see-through glass walls. The authority said it expected retailers to propose specialist branded outlets.
HONG KONG. Hong Kong International airport?s (HKIA) principal concessionaires Sky Connection and Nuance-Watson have reported increases in first quarter sales, bolstered by an increase in Hong Kong residents travelling overseas.
VIETNAM. Vietnam is experiencing a boom in duty-free sales thanks partly to an influx of young female Japanese shoppers.
INDIA. Plans by Indian Customs to introduce checks on departing passengers buying duty-free liquor have been described as bureaucratic and unnecessary meddling by the India Tourism Development Corp.
Liquor & Wines
Tobacco Products
Fragrances
Parfums Christian Dior is taking the travel-retail exclusive route for the second time next month when it unveils its Forever and Ever fragrance line worldwide.
Cosmetics
Confectionery & Fine Foods
Exclusive to DFNI