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.

United Airlines onboard sales manager Annette Gutsmiedl has said she hopes the inflight retail industry will continue to flourish after her departure on December 1.

The US whiskey category in duty-free, with sales a tenth of those in the Scotch whisky sector, is regarded as a niche market. But as the number of premium brands on offer rises and retailers become more creative in appealing to potential consumers, that could be about to change, as Joe Bates discovers.

France was the third biggest market in the world for Scotch whisky in 2002, so travel retailer Aelia?s plan to open a specialist whisky outlet at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport looked set to be a winner. Unfortunately, writes Joe Bates, delays in allocating space mean the new store is unlikely to open until next year.

The liqueurs category seldom makes the headlines, but sales are holding up well and it is still the second-largest spirits category. With imaginative marketing it has the potential to produce sweet returns. Joe Bates reports.

Russia?s second city St Petersburg is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year, a milestone that brought the world?s leaders to Vladimir Putin?s home town on the Baltic coast. Airport operator Lenrianta hopes the exposure will help promote the city as a vibrant destination for tourists. John Rimmer talks to general manager Liam Flood.

Zeinal Hermanos is one of Uruguay?s most established duty-free operators. John Gallagher met company director Dr Walter Zeinal to see how the retailer had fared during South America?s regional economic crisis?a crisis which has hit most parts of the Uruguayan economy, but has been especially hard on the travel-retail business.

Jane Labous reports on the opportunities for tourists and travel retailers in Namibia, fast becoming one of Africa?s choice locations.

By John RimmerINTERNATIONAL. Swiss operator Weitnauer welcomed positive earnings in the first six months of the year, compared with a loss over the same period in 2002.

US. The devastating effects of September 11 mean the recovery in traffic and commercial trading at Miami International airport could take until 2007, according to the airport?s aviation property manager.

MEXICO. Arrivals duty-free shops could begin operating in Mexico?s international airports as early as the end of this year if the government gives its approval to new legislation.

By Anna FentonJAPAN. Airport authority and retailer Nagoya Airport Terminal Building Co has confirmed it will operate duty-free at the new Central Japan International airport, scheduled to open in February 2005.

US. As the Hawaii Department of Transportation prepares to retender the duty-free concession at Honolulu airport, sales figures reveal the extent of DFS Group?s difficulties at the location since September 11 2001.

RUSSIA. Airport operator Lenrianta is looking for permission to extend its store at St Petersburg Pulkovo airport terminal one in a bid to capitalise on growing Russian charter traffic.

INDIA. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is to call a new round of tenders for additional duty-free shops at its main international airports.

By Jonathan BrownFINLAND. Operators remain upbeat about prospects for duty-free in spite of the government?s announcement that it will reduce taxes on alcohol by an average of about a third next March.

CANADA. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency?s (CCRA) duty-free shops programme and Douglas Crossing Duty Free president Michael Beler are facing further frustration over the border shop site in Douglas, British Columbia.

MALTA. Malta International Airport (MIA) has issued a call for tenders to operate its main skincare and cosmetics outlet.

By Gavin LipsithCANADA. A host of global and local conditions have combined to make the first six months of the year one of the toughest on record for members of the Frontier Duty Free Association.

URUGUAY. Cerealsur, the consortium whose $34m bid won the auction to manage, renovate and maintain Montevideo Carrasco airport, is expected to announce its expansion plans later this month.

SWITZERLAND. The Nuance Group plans 600sq m (6,460sq ft) of new retail space in Zürich Kloten airport?s new dock E, where phase one opened on September 1.

LATIN AMERICA. Although times remain tough for many of Latin America?s duty-free operators, the key message that emerged from last week?s seventh annual ASUTIL conference in Cancún, Mexico was that the duty-free business is slowly returning to health.

RUSSIA. Weitnauer will shortly open four outlets at Moscow Domodedovo airport?s new international terminal.

TAIWAN. Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp (TTL), the national tobacco monopoly, opened its new terminal one shop at Taipei Chiang Kai-shek International airport on September 1.

MALI/FRANCE. Inflight concessionaire Aeroboutique Inflight Retail (AIR) has been awarded a three-year contract to operate duty-free onboard Mali national carrier STA Trans African Airlines.

Canadian whisky has suffered in duty-free from the effects of the North American travel downturn and the outbreak of SARS in Toronto earlier this year.

By Joe BatesCompetitive prices, clearly focused promotions and a refitted pre-order store are helping to drive up beer and spirits sales for UK cross-Channel operator Hoverspeed.

Coconut-based rum spirit Malibu is showing excellent growth in its key European and Caribbean duty-free/travel-retail markets, according to new owner Allied Domecq.

Kobrand International?s range of Alizé cognac-based natural fruit liqueurs will spearhead the company?s TFWA World Exhibition debut next month.

In a development that is certain to be followed closely by other airport operators, retailers and tobacco suppliers, Tampa International airport is pursuing the possibility of opening smoking areas in its buildings through the use of retail areas.

The Japanese government has increased the tax on tobacco, pushing up domestic and duty-free cigarette prices as a result.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is looking forward to this year?s TFWA World Exhibition at Cannes with confidence, and will showcase its recent tie-up with the Honda Pons GP motorcycle team.

By Jonathan BrownUK tobacco group Gallaher has posted a 7% rise in half-year earnings, on the back of a strong performance overseas.

Unilever Cosmetics International is introducing a new print advertising campaign for the Cerruti 1881 Pour Homme and Cerruti 1881 Pour Femme fragrances, in conjunction with new packaging for the two lines.

Puig?s Nina Ricci has updated its classic L?Air du Temps fragrance in a bid to make it more relevant and appealing to the modern consumer.

Cosmopolitan Cosmetics-owned Rochas has created a men?s fragrance that builds on the strength of its existing men?s offer?Rochas Man, Eau de Rochas Pour Homme, Rochas Absolu and the classic Moustache.

Guerlain has introduced a new version of its classic Habit Rouge line for men, created by Jean-Paul Guerlain in 1965.

German fragrance house Mäurer + Wirtz has followed up its 2001 launch of men?s fragrance Carlo Colucci Uomo with a new women?s fragrance.

Lancôme is launching a new fragrance, due to become available in Europe from October, and in the US and Asia next year.

Parfums Givenchy has named Hollywood actress and Lord of the Rings star Liv Tyler (right) as the face of its new fragrance Very Irresistible Givenchy.

Gucci is set to roll out a new women?s fragrance that is described as a fresh and luminous scent with a ?discreet Asian theme?.

Parfums Issey Miyake has changed the bottle and box of its 50ml L?Eau De Parfum to give it a more modern and feminine look.

P&G Prestige Beauté will launch a new Hugo Boss fragrance this autumn.

Versace has claimed success for its Versace Jeans Couture line targeted at the youth market and the company is to follow up this achievement with an extension of the line aimed at the same market.

Nina Ricci has added a foundation to its Prêt à Porter de Peau cosmetics line.

Liquid prisms are the latest ingredient to be featured in Estée Lauder?s new lip gloss range in its Pure Color make-up collection.

MAC Cosmetics has unveiled its Go Lightly make-up collection for autumn.

Yves Saint Laurent?s latest make-up look for autumn/winter combines deep velvety shades with bright colours like blue and emerald.

German cosmetics house ArtDeco is focusing on lips in its autumn/winter make-up collection.

Biotherm has added a new product to the Biotherm Homme skincare range for men.

By Michael EatonCDG Participations has opened its Lafayette Gourmet store at the new Paris Charles de Gaulle terminal 2E after financial disputes with potential suppliers delayed the opening scheduled for June 17.

Swiss gourmet biscuit maker Tante Agathe has created three new recipes for its Pépites collection of cookies for presentation in Cannes.

Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) has claimed that the simple strategy of persuading shoppers to trade up from standard Kit Kat Chunky Gift Packs to the larger Mega Packs helped it achieve record confectionery sales with Dubai Duty Free (DDF) in July.

Goldkenn will introduce two line extensions to its growing collection of premium chocolate truffles in Cannes next month

Masterfoods International Travel Retail (MITR) has again stressed the growing significance of children?s confectionery with its line-up of product launches planned for TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.

By Lorna StricklandUK electronics retailer Dixons Tax Free opened a new outlet at East Midlands airport.

German miniature camera supplier Minox has launched a variety of new products ahead of next month?s Cannes exhibition.

Plush gifts supplier Russ Berrie has reported a 25% increase in inflight sales for the first half of 2003 compared with the same period last year.

A report on the global camera-phone business states that the market is set to double by the end of the year.

Swiss watch supplier Niclas is preparing for Cannes with a selection of new models across its range of brands, which includes Aigner, Camel Active, CAT and Wenger.

Italian jewellery company Rebecca is to make its first appearance at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes this year.

By Jonathan BrownThe Hong Kong Trade and Development Council (HKTDC) has signed a contract committing its members to a continued presence at the Baselworld watch and jewellery fair.

Raymond Weil has expanded its Parsifal range with the introduction of the men?s Parsifal Sport

By Kevin RozarioSand plans to make Germany a priority market for its airport business in 2004, and talks are already under way with the country?s biggest travel retailer Gebr Heinemann, DFNI has learned.

Luxury leathergoods, fashion and home furnishings group Mulberry last week ratified the increase in Singaporean billionaire Christina Ong?s share in the company from 41.5% to a controlling stake of 52%.

Belgian diamonds and fashion house Gautam has revamped its two shoe stores in concourses A and B at Brussels Zaventem International airport, turning them from mono-branded Bally outlets into stores selling six brands.

The new Crystal Village at next month?s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, which sold out of space by early August, will be dominated by luxury fashion brands.