INTERNATIONAL. The trade has reacted positively to the news that DFS Group, in seeking to build closer ties with the emerging Chinese duty-free market, is moving its corporate headquarters to Hong Kong in January

SAUDI ARABIA. The Civil Aviation Presidency (part of the Ministry of Defence and Aviation) is preparing a Request for Proposals for duty-free shop concessions at the country's three leading airports

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

It may not be the most exciting category, but most ferry operators would never dream of dropping their onboard beer offer. Joe Bates investigates the sector's growth potential, and asks whether it can ever lose its "dependable but dull" image

Among the duty-free trade channels, the US cruise market stands out for its strong performance over the past two years despite of the slowdown in the US economy and the effects of terrorism on global travel markets. John Gallagher assesses the business and asks retailers how they see the future for Americas cruise retailing

There are only six months to go before duty-free in 10 European states virtually comes to an end. DFNI takes a snapshot of opinion from the countries preparing to join the EU in May next year, and asks how operators in those states plan to cope with abolition

EU accession through the eyes of the operators

Bruno Salzer is chairman and chief executive of Hugo Boss, in charge of the German company's global empire of 620 shops in 70 countries. He speaks to Anna Fenton about possibilities in the Asian market and about why China will be key to the future of the business

CHINA/HONG KONG. The long-awaited downtown duty-free store in Dalian has finally opened after a long delay as the proposed Beijing shop is postponed indefinitely

GREECE. Hellenic Duty Free Stores (HDFS) has announced plans to establish a subsidiary in neighbouring Macedonia. By Jonathan Brown

The 2004 Raven Fox Charity Ball, to be held on Friday March 5 in London, is to benefit Orbis, a charity that strives to cure blindness in developing countries

SWITZERLAND. The Nuance Group has re-organised its European business by creating a single European head office in Zürich, Switzerland

INTERNATIONAL. Chinese outbound travellers and middle-aged Japanese women will lead a strong return to tourism growth in 2004, according to an important survey just published

MALTA. Skincare and cosmetics operator Leaders has won back its contract to operate at Malta International airport, following a legal battle and a fresh tender

MACAU. China Power Duty Free Group is considering a new venture on the Macau-China border

MALTA. Duty-free operators in Malta are becoming increasingly concerned about the effects of intra-EU duty-free abolition on their businesses from May next year, when the country joins the EU

FRANCE. French operator Aelia has announced that it will operate the retail outlets in the Eurostar rail terminal at Paris Gare du Nord AC2

For anyone who doubts the impact China will have on this industry in the future, two events last week should encourage a rethink

UK. BAA has reported strong net retail income and income per passenger for the six months to September 30 2003, despite a challenging market in the UK

CANADA. Blue Water Bridge Duty Free won the top Platinum prize at the Frontier Duty Free Association's Gold Standard Awards in Toronto on November 12

PUERTO RICO. Alliance Duty Free, the concession holder at Puerto Rico's San Juan Luis Muñoz airport, is pressing ahead with expansion of its airport stores

Liquor supplier Whyte and Mackay plans to build a specialist malt whisky outlet at Delhi airport in partnership with India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC)

UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle is creating a dedicated travel-retail division to come into operation on January 1 next year

Liquor sales onboard HH Ferries have risen 85% from the peak summer period since the Danish government slashed liquor taxes on October 1

V&S Absolut Spirits is to enter the super-premium vodka category with a new brand called Level

A de Fussigny has designed a new mobile promotional display for its three key cognac lines Collection, XO For Men and Nyak

The latest figures from Canada-based tobacco supplier Rothmans, Benson & Hedges show an increase in overall sales, despite a difficult year for duty-free. By Jonathan Brown

Following on from its corporate logo redesign, Dutch cigar supplier Agio has enhanced its Panter range of cigars with the introduction of a new design for the range's packaging.

France's number-one cigarette supplier Altadis has announced that it plans an aggressive assault on the duty-free market next year, with an ambitious range of promotions lined up

French jewellery, accessories and fragrances company Reminiscence International Diffusion is launching its fragrance brands in travel-retail, following it debut at the TFWA World Exhibition last month.

Italian company Borsari di Parma is to launch Pupa Love, a new fragrance, bath line and beauty kit, in international markets in spring 2004

Parfums Scherrer is to embark on a year of consolidation following rapid expansion of the brand into export markets

Puig plans to launch a new fragrance under the Carolina Herrera label called Chic for Men

Two new fragrances on display at last month's TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes were Jasper Conran Man and Jasper Conran Woman

Christian Dior has revealed that it will continue to expand its skincare ranges with a number of new projects planned in 2004

Puig brand Nina Ricci plans to extend its Prêt à Porter de Peau beauty line to more customers next year with the introduction of new well-being products, including Aqua Matte Finish Gel and Soothing Moisture Mist, as well as several new make-up lines

Japanese company Kanebo International is offering two of its skincare products in a special pack with a silk scarf for the travel-retail market

PA.CO.DIS Parfums Cosmétiques Distribution is introducing a range of anti-ageing skincare products from fellow Italian company Villa Talente to duty-free and travel-retail markets

Neuhaus is putting greater focus on its Truffles Collection outside Europe following the packaging modifications that have doubled shelf life from three months to six

Chocolate Sales & Supplies (CS&S) will open a new arrivals shop at Kuala Lumpur International airport (KLIA) next month after being awarded the concession for five years

Toms Confectionery is venturing into the chocolate tablets sector for the first time, taking on established brands such as Lindt & Sprüngli, Nestlé, Fazer, Milka and Côte d?Or with a range of four recipes in a 200g format

Kraft Foods World Travel Retail Division unveiled a fresh image for the Freia brand at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes last month

Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) is to create a new store dedicated to the sale of mobile telephones following the success of the sector in its general electronics outlets

UK toy supplier Corgi has appointed its first agent to represent it in the global inflight tax-free marketplace

Plush toy company Nici launched a host of new products at last month's TFWA World Exhibition

Plush toy company Russ Berrie focused its product range on springtime in Cannes last month

Electronics supplier Casio has launched an addition to its Exilim range of digital cameras

Australian jeweller Toscow has stepped up its travel-retail offer with new collections and store furniture. By Jonathan Brown

Watch supplier Cosmoda Corp is looking to its Roots brand to strengthen its presence in travel-retail

Netherlands-based jeweller Gerzon Duty Free presented the Vivaldi range of new jewellery sets aimed at travel-retail at the TFWA World Exhibition

London eyewear maker Kirk Originals says the airport offer for sunglasses and prescription eyewear lacks creativity and promises a product offer never seen before in travel-retail if it opens a store in the channel

Pangborn Design Collection is to open a travel-retail store in the Caribbean - its first outside the US mainland - and DFNI understands that Swatch is considering opening an area in the new store although this has not been confirmed

US beauty house Jivago is diversifying with the addition of a leather travel collection for domestic and travel-retail markets