Add to Favorite
Magazine 
Magazine
Features
Anyone who attended last month?s ASUTIL conference in Montevideo can only have left with the feeling that the region?s retailers are defying the economic downturn with their fighting spirit. A pictorial report is shown here.
John Gallagher and Dermot Davitt review the event.
The 2002 conference was officially opened by ASUTIL president Randy Emch
The view from InterBaires: Randy Emch
Fabiano Vivacqua, operations director of Brazilian operator Brasif, showed delegates how the crisis in Argentina had seriously affected parts of the Brazilian economy, and in particular how it had affected Brasif.
A session co-chaired by ASUTIL president Randy Emch and DFNI editor-in-chief Dermot Davitt.
One of the highlights of the first day of the conference was the presentation by José Fernadez Olano, the executive chairman of Spanish duty-free and Travel Value retailer Aldeasa.
One of Uruguay?s leading economists, Jorge Caumont, started day two of the conference.
Argentinian Ministry of Tourism consultant Gregorio Nersessian delivered an insight into Mercosur tourist developments through the past decade.
On day two ASUTIL delegates had the chance to hear about regional business opportunities from speakers representating London Supply, Zeinal Hermanos and Estée Lauder Travel Retail Americas.
Brasif?s Samuel Kauffman took the delegates through a brief economic history of Brazil since the 1940?s.
DFNI editor-in-chief Dermot Davitt gave the audience a brief synopsis of the state of play with regard to the World Health Organization?s proposed ban on duty-free tobacco.
After a five-year break, travel retailer HFP Phénix is returning in style to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.
Make Up For Ever has gone beyond its professional background and captured an enthusiastic consumer following. President Olivier Mauny tells Jane Labous that business is so strong that he is taking the brand into duty-free.
Golf merchandise is becoming increasingly popular in travel-retail. Kevin Rozario pins down two travel retailers that are ahead of the pack when it comes to developing stand-alone golf apparel and equipment offers.
Sheila de Best is one of duty-free?s better known women golfers. The director of Netherlands-based Dufri International gives DFNI a personal view of the golfing bug and its potential for travel-retail.
Already ubiquitous in travel-retail, the house of Hugo Boss is re-thinking its golf line to make it more focused on fashion and function to appeal to a wider cross-section of passengers.
TFWA is hoping Cannes 2002 can hit the heights of previous events
The third Airline and Supplier Conference and Airline Trade Market took place in Geneva last month, with falling passenger numbers and the proposed ban on duty-free tobacco sales high on the agenda. Trevor Lloyd-Jones was there.
A radical overhaul of Nina Ricci?s cosmetics arm reached its culmination last month, as the revamped line began its European roll-out. Jane Labous asks brand director Olivier Mariotti why Nina Ricci is developing a new image.
The Nina Ricci Prêt à Porter de Peau line comprises make-up and skincare products, with the emphasis on tactile formulas that care for and improve the look of the skin.
On the eve of what is being billed as the biggest Cannes show ever, TFWA ceo Andrew Ford speaks to DFNI about the attractions for buyers this year at the trade?s top event, and outlines some of the changes being planned for 2003. By Dermot Davitt.
TFWA is trumpeting the new Travel Dream display area as one of the highlights of the forthcoming World Exhibition.
When Brussels International Airport Co opened its new Schengen terminal on May 15, it stated its intention to put the previous year's woes firmly behind it. Gavin Lipsith speaks to the airport authority about troubled times and bold ambitions.
For principal concessionaire Belgian Sky Shops (BSS) the new retail area in Brussels Pier A offers some interesting challenges, as well as opportunities.
Fashion and non-fashion houses are rushing to add accessories lines to their travel-retail collections. But in a crowded market not all of them will succeed. Kevin Rozario finds out more.
A familiar face in duty-free circles, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, former president of Lancaster Group and recently appointed non-executive director at Royal Scandinavia, gives his view on the surge of interest in the accessories business.
Aer Rianta International (ARI) has appointed Moscow Duty Free general manager Bill Maxwell as regional director Russia, CIS and Canada.
World Duty Free (WDF) has restructured its buying and merchandising departments, effective immediately.
Thibault Villet, former head of travel-retail at Scental, will take over the group?s Chinese arm and will be replaced by Philippe Lamy.
Retail News Analysis
RUSSIA. Aerofirst has won an eight-year extension to its Moscow Duty Free contract at Moscow Sheremetyevo 2 airport. The joint-venture company is owned by Aer Rianta International (ARI), state carrier Aeroflot and Sheremetyevo airport authority. ARI holds a 33.3% stake in Moscow Duty Free, but the extended contract will give the Irish company greater control over retail at the location.
CAMBODIA. Swiss travel retailer Weitnauer has captured the seven-year duty-free contract at Cambodia?s Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. Weitnauer begins operating at the new terminal in Phnom Penh in November, and plans to open at Siem Reap early in 2003, according to chief operating officer Eurasia and Asia René Riedi.
FRANCE. Next year?s TFWA World Exhibition will take place over a weekend for the first time in its history, Tax Free World Association has revealed. DFNI understands the dates will be October 24?28.
UK. Alpha Airports Group?s pre-tax profits for the first half of 2002 have been boosted by the sale of its 25% stake in Inflight Sales Group (Asia). The group said that the sale added £1.9m ($3m) to its half-year profits of £10.7m ($16.7m).
GERMANY. Frankfurt International airport is undergoing a big redevelopment and expansion of shopping facilities that will see total retail space at terminals one and two increase from 13,600sq m to 20,000sq m (146,400sq ft to 215,300sq ft) by 2007. T1 has already been transformed over the past few years with new shops, restaurants and retail concepts.
INDIA. India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC), which operates the duty-free shops at the country?s international airports, has criticised the Indian Duty Free Association (IDFA) for claiming to act as an intermediary for suppliers trying to enter the market.
UAE. Dubai Duty Free is providing a consultancy service for the 16 border shops operated by Jordan Duty Free Shops Co. The consultancy, which is aimed at improving the standard of products and service offered to travellers at the shops, began on September 1.
By Dermot Davitt Editor In Chief
INTERNATIONAL. LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton Group chairman Bernard Arnault has said it could take two years to complete the turnaround of the troubled Selective Distribution division, the arm of LVMH that includes DFS Group.
Liquor & Wines
US liquor supplier Sidney Frank Importing Co has introduced two new spirits to its portfolio.
German winemaker Henkell & Söhnlein has introduced a line extension for its sparkling wine Henkell Trocken.
Pernod Ricard World Trade (PRWT) has begun to roll out a new travel-retail promotion of The Glenlivet, one of the malt whisky brands acquired from Seagram.
Independent Scotch whisky producer Speyside Distillers is targeting duty-free in a bid to increase the company?s profile in a competitive market.
Tobacco Products
British American Tobacco (BAT) STC has reduced its Schimmelpenninck range of cigars from 15 variants to five in time for this year?s TFWA World Exhibition.
Sales of Habanos cigars at Moscow Duty Free more than doubled over a 10-day period last month, when a Habanos roller visited Moscow Sheremetyevo-2.
US cigar manufacturer JC Newman will be presenting new and repackaged versions of its Cuesta-Rey brand at the TFWA World Exhibition this month.
Moscow Duty Free is to personalise its cigarettes section at Moscow Sheremetyevo-2 International airport.
Delegates to last month?s ASUTIL conference in Montevideo were warned of the damage the World Health Organization?s proposed ban on duty-free tobacco sales would do to their businesses.
Fragrances
The worldwide roll-outs start this month for the new Gucci fragrance, developed by leading German cosmetics company Cosmopolitan Cosmetics. The fragrance is described as the ?third building block? of the Gucci brand.
New from Perfumes Y Diseño is a women?s fragrance from Spanish fashion designer Roberto Verino which will be rolled out in domestic and duty-free markets during October and November.
Bvlgari?s new travel-retail exclusive collection, available in airport and downtown duty-free stores worldwide, will feature a selection of Bvlgari fragrances with a silver and gold theme.
Balenciaga?s classic fragrance Le Dix, created in 1947 by Cristobal Balenciaga, is being relaunched in order to stimulate fresh interest in the product.
The TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes will see the introduction of Claude Montana?s new female fragrance.
A report in UK newspaper Financial Times suggests that Unilever may be planning to sell its cosmetics division?Unilever Cosmetics International (UCI)?which owns prestige brands such as Valentino, Cerruti, Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld.
Anatomicals is an irreverent range of fragrance and cosmetics products which, it is claimed, enhance mood and performance and which uses vending machines as a main merchandising tactic.
Estée Lauder?s Tommy Hilfiger brand is aiming to capture a generation of young women who are ?growing up?.
Cosmetics
Clinique has revealed that travel-retail is just one of the new openings through which men can buy toiletries without having to navigate the women?s cosmetics section. The internet is said to be another unintimidating channel.
President Olivier Mauny told DFNI the time is now right for the brand to enter the market, having consolidated its presence on worldwide domestic markets in the past four years.
Cosmopolitan Cosmetics has expanded its luxury toiletries assortment with the acquisition of Atkinsons from Lever Fabergé.
Helena Rubinstein has launched an autumn/winter make-up collection that emphasises the contrast between different shades.
Confectionery & Fine Foods
Lindt & Sprüngli is targeting gift buyers with its latest premium chocolate launches for Cannes?Swiss Carrés in two variants and Swiss Alps.
Nestlé International Travel Retail?s (NITR) has again highlighted the growing importance of children?s confectionery with its plans for the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes later this month.
Hershey Trust, the main shareholder in Hershey Foods, has finally conceded defeat in its attempt to sell the company, despite chewing gum specialist Wrigley tabling a bid of more than $12bn against all expectations.
Gifts & Electronics
Hong Kong-based Kado Industrial Co is launching what it claims is a global first in the travel-retail market??a collapsible, refreezable and portable refrigerator.?
Dutch operator Mimex Airport Retailers has finally opened its new airside store at Frankfurt International airport terminal B.
Jewellery & Watches
Salviati Venezia 1859 has unveiled its 2002/2003 collection, now available to duty-free operators worldwide.
Swiss watch company Alfex has merged with M&M, under the brand name Alfex Switzerland.
Swatch has launched its 2002 Halloween Special edition to celebrate the annual festival held on October 31.
Fashion & Leathergoods
French family-owned fashion company Zilli is adding small leathergoods and gloves to its portfolio in a bid to give it the critical mass it needs on the product side to develop corners in travel-retail.
US retailer Pacific Golf Partners (PGP) is preparing to open its first non-US golf store at Manila airport in the Philippines, and plans a string of travel-retail outlets throughout Asia/Pacific.
