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.

Weitnauer Group has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Woodland as chief procurement officer, effective from June 1. Woodland will also join the group?s executive committee and will be based in Basel.

The Rt Hon Paul Keating, former prime minister of Australia, will deliver the keynote address at the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference on Tuesday May 20 in Singapore.

A number of suppliers believe retailers are failing to offer consumers value for money. They say it is time for a rethink on pricing and merchandising strategies and time to consider a new image to help draw consumers into the shops. Michael Eaton reports.

Watch fashions vary dramatically in different parts of the world and are constantly changing. Travel-retail suppliers therefore need to be creative in their choice of product offer and keep up to date with technological advances. But they mustn?t forget that the channel continues to offer unique advantages for consumers. Jonathan Brown reports. 

As the watches category suffers from a downturn in travel, retailers should pay more attention to detail, writes Jonathan Brown. Most importantly, they need to offer value for money and ensure that staff are well trained and knowledgeable about what they sell.

As the IAADFS show in Orlando closed its doors last Thursday, news emerged of the death of Jose Taratuty, the founder of Argentinian airport operator and duty-free specialist London Supply.

The global travel-retail industry once again opened its hearts for a fabulous cause on March 7, raising about $60,000 for children's charity Dreamflight at the annual Raven Fox Fantasy Ball in London.

By Adele WolstenhulmeUS. The state of Hawaii is suing DFS Group for $49m in back rent. The news came last week as talks stalled on a renegotiation of the operator?s duty-free contract.

US. New legislation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could change the way the country?s operators manage their stocks of consumable goods.

UK. A strong performance from its UK retail arm helped Alpha Airports Group profits rise 14.8% for the year to January 31.

By Gavin LipsithCANADA. Douglas Crossing Duty Free president Michael Beler has told DFNI that he expects no difficulties in securing a lease from landowners at the Douglas crossing within 90 days.

US. The first meeting of the American chapter of the fledgling Inflight Duty Free Association (IDFA) was held at the Duty Free Show of the Americas last month.

The best that can be said of the crisis in which this industry finds itself today is that things can only get better?can?t they?

By Jane LabousMIDDLE EAST. Gulf travel retailers continue to operate stores around the clock despite a dramatic fall in traffic and sales across the region.

By John GallagherARGENTINA. London Supply has taken a minority stake in InterBaires, Argentina?s leading airport operator.

AMERICAS. The Association of South American Duty Free Shops (ASUTIL) is opening associate membership to Central American and Caribbean companies, and plans to move its annual conference to Cancún, Mexico.

US. Los Angeles World Airports has agreed fresh terms with DFS for the retailer?s duty-free contract at Los Angeles International airport.

HONG KONG. Incumbent liquor and tobacco retailer at Hong Kong International airport Sky Connection has retained its pivotal anchor concession.

HONG KONG. Latest figures from Hong Kong show that the atypical pneumonia virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which has so far killed 14 people in the territory, continues to spread with disastrous consequences for Asian airports.

Exclusive: by Dermot DavittGERMANY. Gebr Heinemann is to open Germany?s first Travel Value arrivals store at Düsseldorf airport next month. The company will open an initial 25sq m (269sq ft) outlet but plans to expand if it proves a success.

By Anna FentonThe successful renegotiation of DFS Group?s duty-free contract at Los Angeles International airport comes as a relief to both the operator and landlord Los Angeles World Airports.

By Jane LabousBULGARIA. Sofia airport is expecting a 5% increase in duty-free revenue this year following the airport?s best ever duty-free sales performance in 2002, duty-free director Galina Trolieva has told DFNI.

US. Baja Duty Free, the retail arm of Fairn & Swanson, is benefiting from increased numbers of travellers crossing the border at San Ysidro, both on foot and by public transport.

INTERNATIONAL. The second meeting of the Duty Free & Travel Retail World Council took place on the eve of the Duty Free Show of the Americas in Orlando last week, with a dozen associations represented.

MOROCCO. Weitnauer has opened its latest shop in the refurbished terminal at Marrakech Menara airport.

UK. Hugo Boss, Ted Baker and Stefanel are among the brands that will feature at Manchester airport?s new terminal one this summer, following a £5.5m ($8.5m) revamp.

By John Rimmer

Exclusive: by Gavin Lipsith

By Jane Labous

By Rebecca Mann

Exclusive: by Michael Eaton

By Rebecca Mann

By Jonathan Brown

Exclusive: by Kevin Rozario