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.

The generosity of the travel-retail industry was once again clearly in evidence at the Raven Fox Charity Ball as the trade enjoyed a night to remember.

Community-based initiatives have been at the heart of the latest retail developments at Vancouver International airport. But, writes Kevin Rozario, a growing Asian passenger base means that airside branded offers are coming to the fore.

As well as operating Vancouver International airport, Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVRAA) runs a for-profit subsidiary called Vancouver Airport Services.

Border duty-free has shed its shabby trading post image in recent years, and operators are now as professional and sophisticated as many airport businesses. Gavin Lipsith examines how changes in the business climate have affected tobacco sales at North American land crossings.

Although tourist arrivals to the Americas declined slightly in 2002, the Central American market remained strong?and the past few months have seen tourist numbers start to rise again across the whole region, reports Sandra Newman.

After conducting extensive research, Cadbury Global Commercial has developed a business culture in which aggression, adaptability and accountability are its guiding principles. Michael Eaton speaks to international travel-retail manager Mark Fletcher to find out more.

UltraFemme president Elena Villareal de Garcia has built her business from nothing and continues to maintain a significant price advantage over domestic operations. Jane Labous discovers why this idiosyncratic Mexican retailer is going from strength to strength.

Having made its travel-retail debut in Cannes in 2001, Shiseido has been steadily building its European duty-free business. Now the Japanese skincare specialist is planning to target US and South American travel-retail markets, with newly-appointed regional director for Latin America local markets and Americas travel-retail Bruno Richard in place to do it. Jane Labous asks him how business is progressing.

The newly launched Passport Cosmetics brand is themed around travel and based in hip San Francisco. As World Duty Free and Sephora react enthusiastically to its launch, joint founder Meredith McGann tells Jane Labous why Passport can add a dash of colour to the travel-retail market.

Retail design company Artco has been working with the travel-retail industry for many years and last year it exhibited in Orlando for the first time. On the eve of this year?s show John Gallagher speaks to ceo Dan Romeu about the company?s involvement in duty-free and its plans for 2003.

Duty-free watch sales in many regions are bouncing back, and the Caribbean is no exception. Jonathan Brown reports from a region where retailers are less worried than most about the possibility of war.

Healthy cruiseline numbers at San Juan seaport allowed Puerto Rican duty-free specialist SMT Duty Free to complete another strong year in 2002. Official figures are still to be released but SMT, the duty-free concession holder at the port, believes that passenger numbers are more or less in line with the 2001 figures of 1.25m.

The Caribbean?s tourist industry has been crawling towards a recovery following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The fragile US and Canadian economies have been joined by a recession in Germany; fuel prices have risen worldwide as the US continues to threaten Iraq; crisis-torn Venezuela has been struggling to increase its oil output to normal levels after a damaging national strike?all these factors have affected the numbers visiting the Caribbean. DFNI?s John Gallagher visited the region to gauge recovery, with the Dominican Republic his first port of call.

Winning the prized Cancún airport concession in 2001 offered Aldeasa an opportunity to build its Mexican business. And after smoothing the initial difficulties, country manager Miguel Palmer tells DFNI he has faith in Aldeasa?s future in Mexico.

When Luis Bared took over full control of Alliance Duty Free just short of two years ago, few observers thought that he could turn it into the business it is today.

The legal dispute between airport operator Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 and duty-free concessionaire InterBaires is not the first in the relatively short history of these two companies. John Gallagher reports on a turbulent relationship gone sour.

Puerto Rico enjoys one of the most favourable geographical locations in the Caribbean. With its special relationship with the US and situated just over two hours flying time from Miami, it serves as an important logistical centre for distribution to the smaller islands in the region.

As Columbus realised when he discovered St Maarten in November 1493, all that glitters is not gold on this Caribbean island in the sun. Cruiseship arrivals brought in a record 1m passengers last year?but many retailers remain despondent about overall spending.

Traditionally a male-oriented brand, Paco Rabanne is looking at ways to develop its women?s business. Jane Labous talks to fragrances director Jean-Roch Giovachini about the company?s new travel-retail strategy, and why 1960s sci-fi icon Barbarella may help the brand crack the feminine market.

Ancient Inca monuments, dense jungle, imposing mountain landscapes; Peru is a dream travel destination for many tourists. In the second in our Off Road series, Jane Labous finds out why investors believe tourism in the region can only grow, and asks how the future might look for duty-free.

Dutch national carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines enjoyed 17 years of inflight sales growth after introducing an onboard retail offer in 1980, but since 1997 the tough aviation climate has taken its toll. John Rimmer talks to the airline about its plans to get the growth back.

Alpha Retail has ambitions for its US duty-free business far beyond its Orlando base. And it believes last year?s creation of a strategic partnership with Stellar Partners and Duty Free US give it the perfect platform to realise those dreams of expansion. Dermot Davitt talks to Alpha Retail USA president Rod Wiltshire.

Retailers in Brazil have had a tough few years. The economic situation in Latin America continues to be difficult and the looming war in Iraq could make things worse. Nevertheless, writes Jonathan Brown, operators have survived and amid signs of improvement they remain optimistic.

Disadvantaged business enterprise regulations offer US airports a way to level the playing field for groups that may have suffered from discrimination in the past. They are well meaning, if baffling to many observers and, like many well-intentioned rules, are open to misinterpretation and abuse. Gavin Lipsith examines the issues.

Mango rums, cranberry vodkas, passion fruit liqueurs...all staple products in the average US bar, where the popularity of flavoured spirits is showing no sign of waning. But, asks John Rimmer, is that trend mirrored in duty-free?

The Vinci Group controls businesses worldwide worth over $17bn, almost the entire value of the travel-retail industry. Yet despite holding airport concerns in many countries, its airport business is relatively small. But this may be about to change. DFNI speaks to Vinci Airports senior vice-president commercial developments Chris Orphanou, who is charged with spotting new opportunities in the commercial and non-aeronautical sectors.

With a new five-year deal at Ottawa secured and a bid for the Toronto concession ready for scrutiny, this could be a momentous year for airport operator Aer Rianta International?North America. John Rimmer speaks to general manager Jacques Dagenais about plans for expansion.

After a dramatic U-turn in the World Health Organization?s proposal to ban duty-free tobacco sales, DFNI gauges reaction from campaigners, and reflects on their three-year struggle to save the industry.

By Jonathan BrownUK. London Luton airport has announced the arrival of a new low-cost airline. The airport, whose retail operations have grown considerably since the advent of the low-cost sector, has been chosen as the UK hub of new carrier Now.

By Jane LabousFRANCE. As revealed on travelretailworld.com, Strasbourg airport authority has awarded its new duty-free and duty-paid retail concession to Aelia following a tender.

CANADA. Airport retailer Aer Rianta International?North America (ARI?NA) has retained the contract to operate duty-free at Ottawa International airport.

US. High-spending UK and Canadian travellers are boosting Alpha Retail USA?s performance at its US operations at Orlando International and Sanford operations in early 2003.

UK. Virgin Atlantic Airways? latest inflight offering is performing well, according to inflight retail manager Samantha Rowe. The new catalogue, called Retail Therapy, was launched on February 1.

By John GallagherINTERNATIONAL. After reporting a 7.2% increase in sales for fiscal year 2002, Aldeasa coo Alfonso Calderón told DFNI the operator had enjoyed a positive start to this year.

SINGAPORE. The tender for three mid-price fashion boutiques at Singapore Changi airport terminal two closed on March 18.

GREECE. Hellenic Duty Free Shops has announced that profits for 2002 rose by over one-third compared with 2001, on the back of a 16% increase in consolidated sales for the year.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Airport operator Inter Duty Free Dominicana is reaping the rewards of heavy investment, with the company posting substantial growth for the second successive year.

Exclusive: by John RimmerJAPAN. As Tokyo Narita airport authority NAA prepares for its privatisation in April 2004, the company has confirmed it is considering a move into directly-operated retail at the location.

By Jane LabousETHIOPIA. A new passenger terminal and runway has opened at Ethiopia?s Addis Ababa Bole International airport, coinciding with a leap in tourist numbers to the East African nation.

CYPRUS. Cyprus Airways has announced strong growth in 2002 on the back of an impressive performance from its duty-free ground shop division.

CANADA. Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is preparing to call the tender for the main duty-free concession at Toronto Lester B Pearson International airport?s new terminal one and redeveloped T3.

US. Miami International airport director Angela Gittens has told DFNI that ambitious plans for expansion and refurbishment have been put in doubt by the uncertain aviation climate and the financial problems faced by leading carriers.

By Dermot DavittINTERNATIONAL. DFS Group broke even in 2002 as the company cut costs, restructured its product lines and renegotiated concessions, according to parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton in results announced on March 6. Arnault said he would wait until profits improved further before deciding on a sale.

By Gavin LipsithRUSSIA. British Airways (BA) is to transfer its flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo in favour of nearby Domodedovo airport from July 1, a move that could have far-reaching consequences for duty-free joint venture Aerofirst.

ARGENTINA. The dispute between InterBaires and Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (AA2000) has escalated, with the operator accusing the landlord of hampering its remaining operations at Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport.

SCANDINAVIA. SAS Trading, SAS Flightshop, Spanair and Braathens have created a joint purchasing pool for their airport and airline retail operations. SAS Trading, SAS Flightshop and Spanair already worked together but the addition of Braathens lends the purchasing pool added weight.

HONG KONG. Airport Authority Hong Kong has invited bids for the Perfumes and Cosmetics concession, currently held by Nuance-Watson (HK). The tender closes on April 28.

UAE. Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) has made a bullish forecast for 2003 as the retailer aims to build on last year?s solid growth. ADDF?s revenue in 2002 reached $77.6m, a year-on-year increase of 4%; and it has predicted further growth of 10% this year.

As DFNI went to press, war in Iraq appeared just hours away as last-minute diplomatic efforts to avert conflict faltered.

ISRAEL. On the eve of launching the duty-free tender at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport?s newly-constructed terminal three, the Israeli Airports Authority (IAA) has awarded two crucial duty-free contracts.

HONG KONG. The pneumonia epidemic which started in a Hong Kong hospital last week and rapidly spread to scores of staff, doctors and patients, prompting a World Health Organisation warning, looks set to lead to large-scale flight cancellations.

By John GallagherURUGUAY. Senior Uruguayan officials including transport minister Lucio Caceres and head of civil aviation brigadier general Enrique Bonelli have been conducting a road show in the US in a bid to interest investors in the contract to manage Carrasco International airport in Montevideo.

ICELAND. Leifur Eiríksson has decided to appeal against the verdict of the Icelandic Competition Commission (ICC) that it has an unfair advantage in duty-free business at Keflavik International airport.

SPAIN. Barcelona-based ship supplier and duty-free shop operator Provimar has posted 2002 sales of Eu79.6m, up 5.6 % on the previous 12 months.

Exclusive: by John Rimmer

By Gavin Lipsith

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By Jane Labous

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