The men?s fragrances category is one of the only sectors in the congested beauty market that offers real room for growth. And as an onslaught of new men?s launches hits the shelves in time for Christmas, Jane Labous asks suppliers and retailers what makes male consumers tick.

There?s no doubt that men?s shopping habits are decidedly different from women?s, especially when it comes to buying fragrances and skincare. We asked some male and female consumers for their impressions of some of the duty-free and inflight shops around the world.

DFNI takes a region-by-region glimpse at the events that have shaped 2002.

DFNI canvasses opinion from some of the industry?s leading suppliers as a turbulent year comes to a close.

DFNI?s expert team of product writers look back at the launches of 2002 and give their verdicts on the great, the good and the downright strange.

As former global merchandise director for Alpha Retail and now with her own business Consulting for Retail, Liz Woodland (right) has strong views about how the trade should adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Many corporations are avoiding risk and, she says, losing out on potentially rich rewards.

It has been a busy year for organisations charged with defending the industry?s interests, with proposals threatening to end duty-free tobacco sales and severely restrict travel-retail within the European Union. Gavin Lipsith examines some of the issues the industry has dealt with over the past 12 months, and the obstacles it faces in 2003.

Gebr Heinemann managing director Harry Diehl has been Travel Value?s most vociferous supporter since his company introduced the concept following intra-EU duty-free abolition. Here he outlines his views on where the concept can go from here and argues that it is compatible with the emerging Espace Voyageur movement.

LVMH Group ceo Marcello Bottoli has resigned to be replaced by Yves Carcelle, head of the group?s LVMH fashion arm.

The fourth Airline and Supplier Conference and Trade Market will take place in Geneva from June 29 to July 1 2003.

Not content with dominating the crown green bowls circuit in the UK, Team Raven Fox is expanding its sporting horizons and challenging for the title of champions of Sweden?s division one-north in the fast-growing sport of curling.

Support is building for the Raven Fox Fantasy Ball, which this year will benefit the charity Dreamflight.

The 2008 Olympic Games are driving a wide-ranging expansion programme at Beijing Capital International airport. Traffic is set to grow rapidly in the next few years, offering numerous opportunities for retailers, but a few issues need to be resolved first. Anna Fenton reports.

Men are no longer stealing their partner?s moisturiser. Nowadays more men want their own skincare products, and as a result the men?s market is continuing the growth that began a few years ago. And as more brands respond, the market can only become more dynamic. Jane Labous asks the leading players why the beauty industry may be on the brink of a revolution.

US. Los Angeles International airport authority has warned that DFS Group has been hit so hard by falling sales over the past year that it may find it difficult to continue operating at the location.

ESTONIA. A recent report by Ernst & Young said the loss of duty-free will be ?devastating? if the business is abolished when Estonia joins the EU. The government in Estonia ordered an investigation into the effects of a ban on business in the country. The findings make grim reading for the country?s tourism trade and ferry business. According to the report, retail sales help subsidise ticket prices, which could rise by 60%. This could lead to a 30% fall in passengers.

CHINA. Hopes are high at Beijing Capital International airport that the mainland?s eight-month ban on the sale of European cosmetics, fragrances and chocolate will soon be lifted.

US. Duty-Free Air & Ship Supply (DFASS) has teamed up with Estée Lauder to open a duty-paid store in Atlanta Hartsfield airport?s terminal A. The terminal caters for Delta?s domestic flights.

CHINA. Beijing Capital International Airport is to tender for consultants to design the commercial part of its new terminal building in January. Scheduled for completion in 2007, this second international facility will be part of a Rmb12bn ($1.45bn) expansion. It will handle the expected surge in passengers from the present 27m a year to 55m in 2008, when Beijing will host the Olympic Games.

GERMANY. Gebr Heinemann managing director Harry Diehl has insisted that price is still the main issue for consumers who shop at Europe?s airports. He told DFNI: ?If you don?t offer better prices for certain categories, then airport retailing will be just the same as the High Street, and then I fear that it won?t have the same dynamism as before."

ROMANIA. Bucharest Otopeni airport authority AIBO has announced the winners of the first tender for the former duty-free retail space at the location. Though airside, the shops will only be permitted to sell duty-paid goods after the Romanian government controversially decided to ban airport duty-free in September (DFNI September 15). All four winning companies are Romanian.

US. United Airlines has filed for bankruptcy under chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code, following a failed attempt to secure a $1.8bn US government loan guarantee. The move follows substantial losses since September 11 2001, owing to changes in consumer behaviour and a reduction in business travel.

By Dermot Davitt. Editor-in-Chief

US. Leaders of Hawaii?s Department of Transportation have completed negotiations over DFS Hawaii?s rent arrears, saying they will pass the issue to the administration of governor-elect Linda Lingle.