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.

They say you can always tell a depressed market by its booming lipstick sales. Jane Labous asks whether this theory holds true for the duty-free cosmetics market or whether the dual effects of the war in Iraq and the SARS virus are proving just too devastating for the world?s beauty houses.

Swiss skincare company Pureneige, which bases all of its products on minerals from the Dead Sea, is building its distribution network from scratch, with an emphasis on worldwide travel-retail. Jane Labous talks to ceo Amir Alon about his strategy for 2003.

Founded by the great-grandsons of Max Factor himself, Smashbox Cosmetics has all the right connections. Jane Labous talks to key figures in the company about what makes Smashbox so different, and why they believe it can hold its own among all the other trendy niche brands on the shelves.

After two months the worst seems to be over and Hong Kong is learning to live with SARS. But now the nightmare of China?s exposure to the bug is unfolding. Hong Kong-based Anna Fenton reports on the reality of living with the constant threat of a deadly virus.

The sense of relief across the trade is palpable following TFWA?s decision to cancel this year?s Singapore exhibition and conference, as the SARS virus devastates the business across Asia/Pacific. In this section, DFNI assesses the mood among retailers and suppliers following the decision.

Now established as the industry?s leading news website, travelretailworld.com will shortly unveil a sharp new look designed to improve navigability for the site?s growing number of regular users.

The fourth annual Airline and Supplier Conference is to take place from June 29 to July 1 in Geneva.

Puerto Rican agency seeks luxury and fashion brands.

BAA has appointed Rebecca Slater as director of finance of the landlord?s retail arm World Duty Free with immediate effect.

Changes at Pernod Ricard and Niclas

This startling statement by Ethiopia?s tourism commissioner illustrates what a powerful effect tourism has on a country?s economy. In the case of Ethiopia, a new airport and the foreign investment that follows will help this drought-afflicted country to recover, as Jane Labous reports.

UK. The value of credit card fraud in the UK?s duty-free shops hit £143,102 ($223,240) in 2002, according to new figures from the Association for Payment Clearing Services.

By Dermot DavittUAE. Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) is pressing ahead with new store openings and projects as the war in Iraq comes to an end.

ASIA/PACIFIC. From noon on April 28 Taiwan began to quarantine all arriving passengers from Hong Kong, China and other SARS-affected countries.

MALAYSIA. Dutch operator Kappé International is to close its Asia/Pacific division Asiankape following the dissolution of its agreement with management company Lada.

URUGUAY. Roberto Yavarone, sub Secretary of State at Uruguay?s Ministry of Defence, has confirmed that the tender to manage and operate Montevideo?s Carrasco International airport has been postponed for a second time.

ITALY. The Nuance Group has secured a six-year contract to operate 12 specialist shops at Rome Fiumicino airport, covering 1,800sq m (19,375sq ft) of retail space across the location?s terminals.

GREECE. Greek airport, port and border shop operator Hellenic Duty Free Shops has enjoyed a promising start to 2003.

By Jonathan Brown

DFNI ExclusiveEASTERN EUROPE. As interest builds in the Raven Fox Baltic & East European Travel Retail Conference, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) has predicted strong growth in passenger arrivals in the region over the next 20 years.

PORTUGAL. Madeira airport authority ANAM has extended Aldeasa?s duty-free concession until June 2004.

By John Rimmer, deputy editorThe decision to cancel this year?s Singapore show, gut-wrenching though it must have been for Tax Free World Association (TFWA), was the only sensible option given the widespread unease of companies reluctant to expose their staff to perceived health risks, however small.

UK. Alpha Retail has renewed its tax- and duty-free contract at East Midlands airport in the UK, and has opened two new-look stores, branded Alpha Airport Shopping and Alpha Duty Free.

US. DFS Hawaii has agreed to pay the State Department of Transportation $25m in back rent after the two sides agreed to continue negotiating a new duty-free contract.

As a special service to readers and advertisers, bonus copies of the May 15 issue of DFNI will be sent to visitors who normally attend the TFWA Asia Pacific event. The issue will focus on the trade in Asia/Pacific and how operators are coming to terms with the SARS virus; it will contain interviews with the leading players in the region and will focus on the path to recovery. At a time of crisis, receiving accurate and up-to-date information on your business is more critical than ever. Don?t miss out on DFNI May 15.

Even a few short weeks ago, the Gulf region would have seemed an unlikely place on which to pin hopes of recovery in travel-retail. Yet, three weeks on from the fall of Saddam in Iraq, sales at the region's leading operators are climbing back to pre-war levels, operators are pressing ahead aggressively with their development plans and the mood among the trade in the region is upbeat

ASIA/PACIFIC. Despite its attempts to ensure that this year?s TFWA Asia Pacific show in Singapore would go ahead, Tax Free World Association bowed to the inevitable last week and announced the cancellation of the event.

HONG KONG. The tender to operate nine fragrance and cosmetics outlets at Hong Kong International airport closed on April 28.

By Dermot DavittUAE. Daily sales at Dubai Duty Free have almost returned to pre-March levels after a sharp fall in traffic and spend during the war in Iraq.

Following the cancellation of this year?s TFWA Asia Pacific show, the Raven Fox Awards ceremony?due to take place in Singapore?has been postponed. A special dinner for sponsors and nominees will now be held in Cannes during the TFWA World Exhibition on Friday October 24. Details of the venue will follow shortly.

By Anna FentonHONG KONG. As the SARS virus continues to spread, struggling retailers at Hong Kong International airport (HKIA) received a welcome boost when Airport Authority Hong Kong announced a two-part relief package last week.

MIDDLE EAST. The Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) has promised a dynamic programme and more audience interaction at this year?s MEDFA conference at the end of the year.

JAPAN. The plan to create new retail space at Japan?s second biggest airport Osaka Kansai is to go ahead despite a severe drop in traffic at the location.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. The future of Dominican Republic duty-free operator Inter Duty Free (IDF) is unclear following government intervention at Banco Intercontinental.

By John RimmerCANADA. The ambitious retail development programme at Toronto Lester B Pearson International airport is advancing according to schedule despite the scare over the SARS virus, which has claimed a number of victims in the city.

By John Rimmer

By Anna Fenton and Gavin Lipsith

DFNI Exclusive

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