December 15 2003

Focusing on 2003

DFNI looks back at another eventful year in travel-retail

December 1 2003

Spirit of change dominates Toronto convention

Canada's border store operators gathered in Toronto last month for the nineteenth annual Frontier Duty Free Association convention. Despite a difficult year delegates once again displayed their determination to change things for the better at one of the key Americas events of the industry's calendar. Gavin Lipsith was there

November 15 2003

The quest for new markets heads east

New research shows that Asia/Pacific and eastern Europe will lead global growth in beer sales over the next four years. Can travel retailers capitalise on the trend? Joe Bates investigates

November 1 2003

Reflecting on Cannes

After an eventful TFWA World Exhibition last month, DFNI relives some of this year?s (sometimes hazy) memories.

October 15 2003

Dubai Duty Free celebrates 20 years of growth

Dubai Duty Free celebrates 20 years of operations in December this year, having grown from inauspicious beginnings to be the world?s fifth largest duty-free shop by sales value. Managing director Colm McLoughlin tells DFNI about the tough early days and how the company aims to hit $600m in sales in the next three years.

October 1 2003

Narita looks forward to its private future

Just as Tokyo Narita?s new runway was beginning to pay off through increased flights and growing duty-free sales, the SARS virus appeared. Now, with recovery under way, airport privatisation looms. What does this latest development mean to retailers at Japan?s busiest airport? Anna Fenton reports.

September 15 2003

JTI stalwart rewarded at ASUTIL

At a special ceremony in Cancún, Mexico last week, South American duty-free association ASUTIL and DFNI publisher Raven Fox presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the industry to Japan Tobacco International (JTI) sales director Latin America Celestino Prado.

September 1 2003

Is Latin America on the way back?

With a global recession, September 11 and the Iraq war, the past two years in Latin America have been tough?and the travel-retail industry has been hit hard. But now, as economies in the region begin to register growth again, the leading travel retailers are showing signs of optimism. John Gallagher reports.

August 1 2003

Driving revenue at Munich

The arrival of a second terminal at Munich airport is a giant leap along the road to becoming a leading European transfer hub. The retail repercussions are also positive as Kevin Rozario discovered when he explored the extensive shopping facilities the day they opened last month.

July 15 2003

July 1 2003

Innovation still holds the key

Despite the turmoil in the global aviation market in recent months, inflight technology providers remain upbeat. Airlines continue to invest, they say, and as carriers seek to run their onboard programmes more efficiently and cost-effectively, opportunities will always arise for service providers who can think and act quickly. DFNI speaks to three of the leading companies in the market.

June 15 2003

Armed for expansion in a changing military market

The military and diplomatic markets are idiosyncratic sectors with characteristics very different from those in airport retail. Jane Labous talks to military and diplomatic supplier Chacalli-De Decker managing director Willfred van der Kloet about the changing face of airbase shops, and the company?s dynamic growth in airport retail.

June 1 2003

Moscow’s airports in battle for supremacy

Moscow Sheremetyevo has long been known as the international airport of Russia?s capital city. But with foreign arrivals at cross-town rival Domodedovo rising, and British Airways? recent decision to reroute its Moscow services to the airport, it may be time for a revolution. Gavin Lipsith speaks to operators at both facilities.

May 1 2003

Alternative thinking - niche beauty brands

So-called alternative brands are an increasingly common sight in department stores and, perhaps more surprisingly, in duty-free shops. Jane Labous asks alternative brand owners how much of a challenge it has been to persuade travel retailers that smaller brands can sell.

April 15 2003

Children's market - poised to come of age?

For all the talk of potential, the children?s market has remained a tough sector to manage in duty-free. Domestic competition and changing trends require constant monitoring, yet suppliers are optimistic about long-term prospects. Rebecca Mann reports.

April 1 2003

Quiet determination in Middle East

As DFNI went to press, the conflict in Iraq was well into its second week. For Middle East retailers, the temptation is to bury their heads in the sand. Jane Labous asks them how they are coping with the realities of war.

March 15 2003

Concessions are key as Miami invests $4bn

Miami International is undertaking one of the most ambitious airport infrastructure projects ever seen in the US, at a cost of over $4bn, DFNI talks to Miami-Dade County Aviation Department director Angela Gittens.

March 1 2003

Ties: knotty…but nice

Austere times may be around the corner as depressed economies and the possibility of war loom in people?s minds. But one product category that can ride out such periods, and even thrive in them, is that old faithful, the tie. Kevin Rozario unravels the mysteries of this simple and still vital fashion accessory.

February 15 2003

DFNI Off Road: Senegal - the land of Teranga

Jane Labous asks Senegal?s president Me Abdoulaye Wade about his quest to close Africa?s development gap and plans for a new world-class airport.

February 1 2003

Mark Riches: The strategic challenge for World Duty Free

Welcome to the first in a new series of DFNI features: regular in-depth interviews with top travel-retail decision-makers.The series starts with an insight into World Duty Free?s business, through the eyes of ceo Mark Riches.

January 15 2003

Talking point: local brands

DFNI asked a number of companies what role there was for locally-produced destination/souvenir chocolate packs alongside big-selling international brands.