Austere times may be around the corner as depressed economies and the possibility of war loom in people?s minds. But one product category that can ride out such periods, and even thrive in them, is that old faithful, the tie. Kevin Rozario unravels the mysteries of this simple and still vital fashion accessory.

The concept of ?dress down Friday? was supposed to signal the death of the tie, but many companies are reintroducing formal wear for work. Are travel retailers expecting to see the benefits?

When Munich airport opens its second terminal at the end of June, fashion will be at the forefront of a retail offer that will take the airport to a new level of luxury. Kevin Rozario examines the upward trend.

This may be a bleak time for Europe?s aviation industry, but investing for the future has never been more necessary. Airports Council International Europe director-general Philippe Hamon argues that lower traffic levels are just temporary, and says airports that fail to build today will suffer the consequences tomorrow. By Dermot Davitt.

Spread across a single terminal, with commercial activity divided among the 13 concessionaires that make up the See Buy Fly group, Amsterdam Schiphol is an airport unlike any other. Determined not to let stability breed complacency, the airport authority is pressing ahead with ambitious expansion plans. John Rimmer talks to the landlord and some of its key concessionaires as a busy year looms.

One of the oldest companies in international travel-retail, Kappé International is looking forward to the imminent expansion of its beauty business at Amsterdam Schiphol. Owner Jacques Parson talks to DFNI about the operator?s plans, and explains why its radical concession formula, Competence Partnership, remains relevant.

Liquor and tobacco operator KLM Tax Free Services? programme of renovation and expansion will reach a new landmark next year as Amsterdam Schiphol?s extended Schengen lounge is completed. John Rimmer visited the operator to find out more.

After next year the Duty Free Show of the Americas will move to Fort Lauderdale. On the eve of this year?s event, DFNI speaks to IAADFS executive director Michael Payne about the thinking behind the move, the changes in store for delegates and visitors, and how the association remains vigilant about any regulatory threats to US duty-free.

Intra-EU duty-free abolition could have spelt the end for distributor Cecil Macdonald, one of the oldest suppliers to the cross-Channel and UK airport market. Instead, the company studied its options, diversified and is now fighting back. John Rimmer talks to managing director Steve Wescott.

Diplomatic supply service ACI is one of the five companies that make up the Cecil Macdonald group

By Gavin LipsithCANADA. Operators on Canada?s land border saw total sales rise by 12.7% in 2002 compared to 2001, as retail revenues hit C$225.8m ($144.7m).

HONG KONG. Nuance-Watson (HK) has been awarded the concession for four pharmacies/personal care shops at Hong Kong International airport.

QATAR. Amid growing talk of war in the Middle East, Qatar Airways is to invest heavily in new aircraft this year.

UK. Omnida, the new inflight services company of former Air 2000 inflight retail manager Tina Sanders (pictured), has gained a contract with start-up carrier FlyJet.

US. The International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) has said that US duty-free operators face tighter controls on the import of bonded goods for sale in their stores.

NORWAY/EUROPE. Prices in duty-free shops at Oslo Gardermoen airport came out highest in a recent survey of leading European locations.

As DFNI goes to press, the looming prospect of war in Iraq hangs like a dark shadow over the travel-retail industry.

By John GallagherSPAIN. Aldeasa, the Madrid-based duty-free and travel-retail operator, has announced net profits for 2002 of E22.1m ($24m), down 12.4 % on the previous 12 months.

CHINA. The China National Tourism Administration has said that the increase in foreign arrivals last year was helped by the global downturn in tourism elsewhere, as the fear of terrorist attack dissuaded travellers from visiting other destinations.

The Baltic and East European Travel-Retail Conference has attracted a strong line-up of speakers.

EU/EUROPE. Further talks will be held between leading regional airports and operators about the possible re-branding of travel-retail in the EU, following an initial meeting held on February 13 in London.

By Dermot DavittUS. From 2005 the Duty Free Show of the Americas will adopt a more unified format with exhibitors in a single area, in contrast to the current arrangement of separate trade floor and suites in Orlando.

CUBA. As revealed in DFNI Jan 15, Barcelona-based Provimar has opened two new retail complexes in the Cuban airports of Cayo Coco and Holguin in partnership with local operator Cimex.

MALAYSIA. Kuala Lumpur International airport (KLIA) has launched the second phase of its shopping campaign aimed at boosting spend per passenger in its retail complex.

US. Last week thieves in San Francisco held up a truck belonging to concessionaire Inflight Sales Group (ISG).

ARGENTINA. With the Argentinian peso now relatively stable at Ps3.20 to the dollar, duty-free operator London Supply said it has been experiencing a recovery in sales at its locations in the country and on the Brazilian border.

By John GallagherARGENTINA. Airport authority Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (AA2000) is locked in a dispute with duty-free concessionaire InterBaires over the operator?s contract at the country?s leading airports.

DFNI Exclusive: by Kevin RozarioCANADA. US?Canada airside revenues are set to rise dramatically at Vancouver International airport following a breakthrough agreement last month.

DFNI Exclusive: by John RimmerNETHERLANDS. Airport authority Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is finalising its plans to extend the airport?s Schengen lounge, set for completion next year.

UK/INTERNATIONAL. FlightStore, provider of seatback intranet services for airlines, has struck a deal with Continental Airlines.

NETHERLANDS. Schiphol Group has posted a net profit of Eu141m ($153m) for 2002, compared with Eu191m ($208m) in 2001.

By John Rimmer

By Gavin Lipsith

By Jane Labous

By Jane Labous

DFNI Exclusive: by Michael Eaton

By Rebecca Mann

By Kevin Rozario