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A relative newcomer to the travel-retail market outside Japan, Traveler Corp recently gained the full Thai Airways inflight concession ahead of rival Inflight Sales Group (Asia). Traveler Corp?s overseas business development manager Koichi Nonoyama talks to Trevor Lloyd-Jones about the company?s merchandise plans and its faith in home delivery.
Estée Lauder Companies group president William Lauder is to take over as chief operating officer as part of a company restructure.
At its annual general meeting on September 23, the International Travel Retail Confederation (ITRC) board re-elected Alain Falque as chairman for a fresh term.
A new travel-retail industry conference, The Trinity Forum, is to be held on June 18-20 2003 in London?s Langham Hilton Hotel.
Travel-retail consultant offering a unique freelance consultancy service that maximises investment in data by delivering rapid informed insights across a variety of categories.
Patrick Pace, ex-export director of Trussardi Parfums for 13 years, and, most recently, international director for Italian company Beauty Gallery, is seeking a new position in the luxury goods industry.
It?s been a while coming, but it looks as if travellers through some of the EU?s leading airports will soon be confronted with a new slogan encouraging them to shop airside, as the Espace Voyageur concept finally gathers momentum.
The future of duty-free in 10 European countries hangs in the balance this month.
As Aéroports de Paris ponders a move into owned retail, vice-president strategic and commercial affairs Alain Falque tells John Rimmer why the company is looking for a partner.
US airports are installing new interiors, security walls and screening systems. But how will all this equipment fit into terminals designed for a previous era? With space at a premium, airport retail is facing huge change in its operating parameters. In this special review, DFNI speaks to a number of leading US airports about the effects of the new rules on concessions. By Trevor Lloyd-Jones.
DFNI questioned major airports about recent security measures and the variable effects on their retail business. Here is what some of them said.
Faced with economic crisis in Latin America and falling traffic at home, times have been better for Aldeasa. But the company is confident business will bounce back and has continued to invest in the future. John Gallagher speaks to president José Fernández Olano and operations managing director Alfonso Calderón in Madrid to find out more.
Aer Rianta International (ARI) has restructured its business in the CIS, with new management roles for senior executives Bill Maxwell, John Murphy and Liam Flood.
The management team of Spanish ship supplier and duty-free operator Provimar has just completed a buyout of the company, in conjunction with private investor 3i Iberica. Managing director Juan Sunet says the move has fired new ambition for growth.
Regardless of security and political issues, North American travellers have never been the most voracious of shoppers in duty-free, a problem that Duty Free Americas president Leon Falic acknowledges.
With numbers of mainland Chinese travellers showing strong growth potential at Hong Kong International airport, retailers have found new hope. And commercial director Hans Bakker is confident his ambitious expansion programme will usher in a new era. By Anna Fenton.
Alpha Airports Group is refocusing its strategy on airlines in the UK and Europe, and on airport retailing in the Middle East and Indian sub-continent. As the group unveils first-half figures for 2002, chief executive Kevin Abbott talks to DFNI about the way forward. By Dermot Davitt.
After a year spent surviving crisis in the Middle East, falling passenger numbers in Canada and uncertainty about its contract in Russia, Aer Rianta International is looking forward with optimism. ARI director-general Eamon Foley explains why. By Dermot Davitt.
Lifestyle brand Austin Reed has achieved worldwide acclaim for its impeccable British styling. Now the fashion house hopes to achieve similar global success with the Austin Reed fragrances through European Designer Productions (EDP). EDP managing director Howard Shaughnessy tells Jane Labous how.
From toddlers to ?tweens? to teenagers, children are the latest target group for the beauty industry. And with a high disposable income and huge brand awareness, younger consumers are proving a lucrative, if demanding, option. Jane Labous finds out why attracting this new market is far from child?s play.
DFS global vice-president perfume and cosmetics Linda Allario told DFNI, ?I see tremendous opportunity in the overall beauty market for the teenage segment. Teens are very interested in beauty products and are becoming interested at an increasingly younger age."
No-one could accuse the Falic family of being boring. Their first year in travel-retail has seen lawsuits, fevered speculation about future acquisitions and the worst slump in North American travel since the Gulf War. In a candid interview, Duty Free Americas president Leon Falic talks to John Rimmer about the operator?s eventful first 12 months.
The re-invention of destination merchandise has transformed the tax-free souvenir market, with tasteless trinkets superseded by tasteful exclusives. By Rebecca Mann
A recovery in tourist arrivals is evident in a number of leading destinations around the world but some markets such as the US are still depressed. Sandra Newman looks at the latest visitor trends for some of the world?s main tourism markets to see how they are faring in 2002.
The gateway to the South of France is soon to be even wider with a new terminal, and a brand new retail operation, at Nice Côte d?Azur airport. Jane Labous talks to commercial manager Eric Trichot as he prepares for terminal two?s grand opening in December.
DFNI sums up the latest regional moves in the battle to save global duty-free tobacco sales, and finds that there is fresh hope as the next round of World Health Organization negotiations takes place this month. By Gavin Lipsith.
At 21 years old, Nordic fashion house Sand has reached the age of majority. From a standing start making silk apparel in Denmark, the firm is now taking itself global. And travel-retail is a good place to start, as Kevin Rozario discovers.
Following the creation and subsequent popularity of her first silk clothing for women in 1981, Lene Sand launched her first formal collection under her own name.
After protracted negotiations with management company Paragon Brand Management, eight stand-alone boutiques are to open at Beijing Capital International airport.
Wine may have a promising future in travel-retail, but recently airport retailers have been more preoccupied with keeping the traditional categories alive. Adele Wolstenhulme talks to Brown-Forman Wines International sales director cruiselines/Caribbean & Mexico Bruce Losee.
It?s been a turbulent year for inflight duty-free with falling passenger numbers. But Inflight Sales Group director Jean-Marcel Rouff insists the business can still make money, while warning that high guarantee payments to carriers are not boosting sales, and may even be stifling creativity onboard.
South African operator Big Five Duty Free found little to cheer about during the Earth Summit last month, but hopes to score better during the coming cricket World Cup.
Barcelona-based company Areas began business in 1968, managing service stations in Catalonia. Today its network of services targeting travellers includes roadside shops, railways stations and airport duty-free shops. John Gallagher speaks to group managing director and ceo José Gabriel Martín and international business director Bernardo Vázquez about progress so far, and how the company plans to exploit new markets.
The growth in turnover and profit of the Areas group has been strong and the incorporation of new markets and new business areas has led to satisfactory growth in the past few years.
?We are convinced that the branded route is the right way to go, and we will continue to develop our catering brands as and when the opportunity comes about," says Areas international director Bernardo Vázquez.
As one of the global beauty superpowers, Estée Lauder commands a hefty portfolio of fragrance franchises that consistently score highly in world markets. Jane Labous talks to Estée Lauder International president Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne about the brand?s ?new DNA? and its latest addition to the portfolio?Pleasures Intense.
Although the marketplace for fragrances is congested, Estée Lauder travel retailing worldwide vice-president marketing Sylvie Kilduff believes the company has not exhausted all possibilities for growth in the sector.
Pernod Ricard World Trade recently invited the travel-retail press on a fact-finding tour of Old Bushmills, the world?s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Trevor Lloyd-Jones went along.
Football may seem a world away from make-up, but Helena Rubinstein international director Philippe Villemus believes the four years he spent helping to prepare France?s hosting of the World Cup in 1998 taught him some valuable lessons. Jane Labous reports.
Former Weitnauer Asia Pacific and Far East chief operating officer Sunil Tuli spent much of the last 20 years as a retailer, first in India and most recently in Singapore. Now he finds himself on the other side of the negotiating table, as he develops his own agency. He tells DFNI about his ambitions for the fledgling business.
Since it took over a bankrupt factory in 1926, Belgian cigar company Vandermarliere has built a strong reputation in the small cigar business. And now it is making good progress in travel-retail with a creative approach that emphasises its point of difference from the big groups. Gavin Lipsith explains.
Although cigar sales at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion are a small proportion of the overall duty-free business, James Richardson is finding that its close relationship with customers is paying off. Gavin Lipsith reports.
UK tobacco group Imperial Tobacco is in a position to challenge the world?s three largest tobacco companies after acquiring German company Reemtsma earlier this year. In this exclusive trade press interview, ceo Gareth Davis reveals his views on the landmark deal and the company?s plans for growth. By Gavin Lipsith.
Named after the old Scottish word meaning ?to ignite?, liquor supplier Kyndal hopes to start a few fires in the duty-free channel. John Rimmer talks to travel-retail director Andy Lane as the company gears up for its first appearance in TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.
The China Power Duty Free marriage is sorting out a few teething problems at its Shanghai operation, as Antares Cheng explains. But the managing director of King Power Group has numerous other projects to occupy him too, he tells Anna Fenton.
When an operator loses 86% of one of its most important customer segments through no fault of its own, creative thinking is required.
Talking to DFNI earlier this year, Aer Rianta International-Middle East (ARI-ME) regional managing director John Sutcliffe cited Qatar as the location where the Ireland-based operator made most progress last year.
Retailers in the Middle East have long set standards to which other duty-free operators can aspire. Continuing renovation work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain has maintained those standards, nowhere more so than in the liquor category. John Rimmer reports.
Retail News Analysis
CHINA. After protracted negotiations with management company Paragon Brand Management, eight stand-alone boutiques are to open at Beijing Capital International airport. Later this month Bally, Lanvin and Salvatore Ferragamo outlets will join what is the first Dunhill shop in China to carry the new Bond Street ?red? look.
UK. The world?s first travel-retail stand-alone Waterford Wedgwood store is set to open in London Heathrow airport terminal three in December, as a result of a new retail partnership between the glass and pottery maker and World Duty Free (WDF).
CIS. Aer Rianta International (ARI) plans substantial refurbishments of its airport duty-free stores in St Petersburg and Kiev in the coming months. At St Petersburg Pulkova terminal two, space will increase by more than 50%. The first phase opens this month and includes a new fragrances and cosmetics area.
ROMANIA. The Romanian government has launched a tender for the space previously used for duty-free at Bucharest Otopeni airport. The space was put up for tender earlier this year but the process collapsed at the eleventh hour when the government issued a decree abolishing airport duty-free.
US. Plans for a 20% increase in concession space at Honolulu International airport are firmly back on track, DFNI sister magazine Travel Retailer International can exclusively reveal.
INTERNATIONAL. After buying back its 25% stake in Alpha Airports Group, Inflight Sales Group (ISG) is eyeing further expansion, particularly in the Americas. Despite losing the tender for duty-free sales onboard American Airlines to Duty Free Air and Ship Supply, ISG director Jean-Marcel Rouff told DFNI: ?The South American market has many airlines that we think can turn to us for help."
By Dermot Davitt Editor In Chief
CENTRAL AMERICA. Panamanian operator Waked Internacional is hoping to achieve dominance in the Central American duty-free market through a series of store openings. The operator has just opened two border stores in Nicaragua, under the La Riviera Duty Free fascia, and has extensive plans to develop its presence in Honduras.
US. Former World Duty Free Americas president and ceo Ramon Bosquez is to return to the business as part of a new joint venture involving Alpha Retail and Stellar Partners.
MEXICO. Mexico?s leading duty-free operator Operadora de Aero-Boutiques is continuing its aggressive e-mail promotions with registered shoppers, a service which it claims is helping the company better understand consumer needs.
UK. The Inflight Sales Person of the Year (ISPY) Awards, to be held in London on November 28-29, will include a special session allowing cabin crew to question inflight retail managers and suppliers about the onboard retail business.
AMERICAS. Inflight service provider and concessionaire Duty Free World has appointed well-known industry executive Judi Bishop as vice-president of sales.
FRANCE. Nice Côte d?Azur airport commercial manager Eric Trichot has told DFNI that the increase in passengers from low-cost airline easyJet has raised the potential for retailing at the location. Nice?s new terminal two will open in December.
HONG KONG. Hong Kong International airport is to retender duty-free concessions at the location, beginning in the last week of October with an invitation to bid for the general merchandise licence. Bidders will have 20% more space than was available in the last round of tenders in 1997, thanks to the 8,300sq m (89,340sq ft) East Hall expansion, due for completion in December 2003.
US/INTERNATIONAL. As speculation continues over the future of DFS Group, its rival for North American dominance, Duty Free Americas (DFA), has told DFNI it would relish the opportunity to take on the ailing duty-free superpower. DFA president Leon Falic said: ?I would love to own DFS. I think we could swallow the group whole, although it would be a lot of work.? He added that the company ?would be buying something in the near future?.
EU EUROPE. The implementation of the Espace Voyageur concept for airside retail in Europe has reached a critical stage. The project?s strongest advocate, French airport authority Aéroports de Paris (AdP), is installing signs at its flagship hub Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to make clear to passengers that they are entering Espace Voyageur when they leave the landside area. Crucially, AdP has gained the support of BAA, Aer Rianta and Belgian Sky Shops. Espace Voyageur signage will soon appear in their locations.
US. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is seeking proposals from operators for the duty-free concession at its two airports, Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan National.
Liquor & Wines
Scotch whisky supplier William Grant & Sons has appointed Finnish state-owned company Altia Corp to distribute its range of products in Finnish and Baltic duty-free markets.
UK-based liquor distributor CG Hibbert has taken on the UK and European travel-retail distribution rights for new energy drinks portfolio Extreme Drinks.
François de Fonbelle has relaunched the range of miniature gift packs it took over when it acquired US company BrandsElite last year.
The company, formed after the management buyout of Jim Beam Brands? UK business, is focusing its efforts on the premium Scotch whisky sector, hoping to capitalise on the trend towards gift items.
A new Polish vodka is set for launch in duty-free after a successful launch in the US domestic market.
After overcoming a series of problems with regulators, Camus International is launching its cognac cocktail Camus 4U in the crucial US domestic market.
Pernod Ricard World Trade (PRWT) will unveil a collection of new items exclusive to duty-free in Cannes this month.
Cognac house A de Fussigny is building on the launch of its XO For Men concept with an innovative new item to be unveiled to duty-free operators in Cannes.
Tobacco Products
Duty-free?s best-selling cigarillo brand Café Crème is now available in a special presentation tin designed for gifting over the Christmas season.
Swedish Match?s Wilde Havana cigarillo brand, distributed by subsidiary La Paz, is to be renamed Wilde Cigarros from January 1 2003. The move follows a Belgian court ruling.
Fragrances
Marketing director Europe and Americas travel-retail Rick Bohon said the spate of new launches from Unilever?s prestige division, including new fragrances from Cerruti and Calvin Klein, will ?add a new dimension to the prestige fragrances range in travel-retail?.
Italian distributor Beauty Gallery has ceased trading.
Retailers are recognising the potential of the youth market for fragrances and cosmetics. A rash of new launches in the sector indicates that brands are cashing in on the spending power of teenage consumers.
Parfums Grès is introducing a new fragrance for women which takes its inspiration from the theatrical atmosphere of the Parisian cabaret show.
Cosmopolitan Cosmetics will roll out the new Cindy Crawford fragrance this month in domestic markets throughout Europe, eastern Europe, Turkey, Malta, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and the US.
Hugo Boss has incorporated a new men?s fragrance into its Baldesserini collection. The luxury fashion label, created in 1993, is headed by Werner Baldesserini, who was chairman and ceo of Hugo Boss from 1998 to 2002.
Moscow Duty Free is upgrading its fragrances and cosmetics department at Moscow Sheremetyevo-2 International airport.
A more modern ?outgoing? image is portrayed by Krizia?s new fragrance for men, a Henkel spokesperson said.
Bvlgari is bucking the recent summer-fragrance trend with a ?winter? version of its Bvlgari Blv fragrance.
Estée Lauder is pinning its hopes on new fragrance Pleasures Intense as the company introduces the product to duty-free shelves.
LVMH affiliate American Designer Fragrances has launched its Kenneth Cole fragrances in the US, supported by a ?massive? campaign in print media and on television.
Lanvin, the French fragrance house acquired by the Harmony holding group from L?Oréal in August 2001, is to launch a new fragrance.
Cosmetics
Origins has introduced three new priming and concealing products designed to act like a primer on a canvas before make-up is applied.
Marbert has used ingredients from the tropics and the African Savannah for its new Energy Drops skincare range, which began rolling out last month.
Shiseido is reinforcing its presence in the high-end luxury skin cream market with the launch of what it calls the ?ultimate anti-ageing cream?.
Clarins is focusing on Christmas with Precious Jewels, a new set of compacts specially created for the festive season, available in duty-free now.
Lancôme is launching a new Hydra Zen cream, as a result of its work in neurocosmetics?the study of the role of nerve endings in the skin?s response to stress.
MAC Cosmetics has opened a stand-alone shop in Dublin airport?s airside The Street shopping mall.
German cosmetics company ArtDeco, stocked by most German perfumeries, is set to show its range of new products.
Italian beauty house Pupa is showcasing a range of products in Cannes, including new make-up kits and a new make-up range.
Icelandic company Blue Lagoon has added more skincare products to its range.
La Prairie travel-retail director René Suter has announced that travel-retail business is up by 20% for the first half of 2002, with new airport and inflight openings continuing to strengthen the company?s worldwide business.
Yves Saint Laurent Parfums begins a Summer Animation in leading worldwide airports this month, focusing on two main products.
Confectionery & Fine Foods
South Africa?s Big Five Duty Free, which runs stores at Johannesburg International, Cape Town and Durban airports, plans to redesign its main shop at Johannesburg with key improvements in confectionery.
Ferrero sees the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes this month as an opportunity to expand its presence in travel-retail.
Gifts & Electronics
German distributor Pasco is presenting a selection of new items from Bose, Bang & Olufsen and Nikon in Cannes.
Russ Berrie is unveiling a colourful range of activity toys targeted at babies and toddlers at this month?s TFWA World Exhibition.
Jewellery & Watches
Jewellery and watches are among the most important product sectors at Nice airport, according to commercial manager Eric Trichot.
A new series of six candleholders is being showcased at Cannes by Salviati Venezia, and is described by duty-free and travel-retail manager Alain Ponsot as the ideal collectable gift for duty-free and travel-retail markets.
Fashion & Leathergoods
Italian fashion and leathergoods company Alviero Martini, known for its trademark 1a Classe bags featuring antique world maps, is expanding its airport presence on the back of strong sales in its Rome store.
If you want to see some fresh new products and faces in the fashion and accessories arena at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, then check out the following new exhibitors.
Luggage maker Delsey is presenting three new ranges this season, all with a business focus: Visioris, Avantis and Highway.
One of France?s oldest fashion houses, Lanvin, is preparing to relaunch itself in the duty-free market with a range of small leathergoods developed exclusively for travel-retail.
German marketing and distribution consultancy Meiser Consult is introducing pick-up-and-go reading glasses to travel-retail at this year?s TFWA World Exhibition.
