UK. BAA group retail director Brian Collie is stepping down from a role he described to DFNI as "unique" in UK retailing.

SOUTH AMERICA. Regional operators are in buoyant mood as the trade prepares for the annual ASUTIL conference, with many reporting double-digit growth in the first half of the year.

DFNI sister title Travel Retailer International has appointed Anna Fenton as editor, effective this month. She was previously DFNI Asia/Pacific correspondent and DFNI retail news editor.

A round-up of recent movements in the Duty-Free and Travel-Retail industry

InterBaires is targeting sales of $71m this year-up from $40m in 2003-as it emerges from recession. CEO Enrique Urioste tells John Gallagher why things can only get better

From the depths of recession in 2002-3, Argentina's economy has made a remarkable comeback, and a boom in travel-and travel retail-is in full swing. John Gallagher assesses the mood and asks London Supply, one of the country's leading duty-free operators, for an insider's view of the recovery

Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 chief executive Ernesto Gutierrez tells DFNI about the company's plans for the future

As Aldeasa celebrates a decade of growth in Latin America, it can pride itself on having ridden out a regional economic storm and absorbing several shocks to the global industry. John Gallagher speaks to director of international business Julio López Castaño about the company's resurgence in 2004

Securing a market position in China is at the top of every beauty supplier's wish list. But is there a magic formula for market entry and product development? Tina Milton reports

Elizabeth Arden is improving its management regime for beauty advisors as part of the brand's evolution in travel-retail. But how are retailers buying in to brand investment? Tina Milton investigates

Guerlain Paris worldwide travel-retail director Eric Eder is no stranger to the beauty business or to the brand. As Asian travel-retail director last year he weathered the SARS storm. In his new role he comes armed with a three-pronged strategy for worldwide growth. Tina Milton reports

Duty-free operators in the Mercosur trading zone have benefited from the region's strong economic revival. But are the good times back to stay? John Gallagher reports

SOUTH KOREA. Incheon International Airport Corp (IIAC) is to add 100sq m (1,080sq ft) of duty-free space to its airside retail area at Seoul Incheon airport later this year.

SWITZERLAND. The Nuance Group has reported an 11% increase in revenues for the first half of 2004 as it benefits from growth in air traffic.

The first six months of this year have been the strongest half year of trading in Latin American duty-free since 2000.

Raven Fox has announced a raft of exciting new initiatives for 2005.

BRAZIL. Duty Free Bahia has reported a strong recovery in the first half of the year after depressed traffic at Salvador de Bahia's Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhaes International airport hit sales in 2003.

ISRAEL. The Israeli government has dismissed a proposal to halve the country's travellers' allowance to $100 after pressure from local duty-free retailers and the Israel Airports Authority (IAA).

ST MAARTEN. Global real estate firm REMAX has revealed that international travel retailers are lining up to take advantage of lucrative new commercial properties on the island of St Maarten/St Martin, where tourist numbers have grown since the opening of a new cruise terminal.

NIGERIA. Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has suspended duty-free retailing at international airports, citing the abuse of operational guidelines.

UK. Birmingham International airport is hoping to attract interest from international operators who have no presence in the UK when it launches its duty-free tender next month.

SOUTH KOREA. Seoul Incheon International airport is to extend the opening hours of duty-free stores in order to accommodate more night flights.

INTERNATIONAL. Respected industry figure Richard Ferne has left his post as Brown-Forman business development director for duty-free and travel-retail in the Americas and Middle East.

CANADA. Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), the trade body for Canadian border operators, is to move its head office from Toronto to Ottawa in early 2005.

KUWAIT. Kuwait Duty Free is forecasting sales of $34m this year, a 26% increase on the 2003 figure of just over $27m.

HONG KONG. King Power Hong Kong, Traveler Corp and experienced inflight retail executive Rakhita Jayawardena have joined forces to create a new inflight retail and supply group, King Power Traveler Co.

CYPRUS. Aer Rianta International-Middle East (ARI-ME) and its partners are likely to form a new duty-free joint venture at Larnaca and Paphos airports if they win the airport management contract.

PERU. Lima Airport Partners (LAP) is to improve retail facilities at Jorge Chavez International airport after government regulator OSITRAN approved an $80m investment plan.

UAE. The rapid expansion of new national airline Etihad has led Abu Dhabi Duty Free to revise its requirements for the new duty-free complex at Abu Dhabi International airport.

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) is expected to appoint a new duty-free operator for Curaçao International airport at the beginning of this month following an invitation-only tender

Kobrand International will unveil a fourth flavour in its Alizé range of cognac-based fruit liqueurs at TFWA World Exhibition

Ian Macleod Distillers is to give DFNI readers the exclusive chance to win a bottle of its The Six Isles pure malt whisky.

Belgian liqueur supplier Fourcroy has gone back to basics with its Mandarine Napoléon liqueur brand, consolidating its position in key markets and rationalising the range.

Liquor sales on board HH-Ferries have almost tripled since the Danish government cut taxes on spirits by more than 45% last October.

Canadian wine grower Vincor International has acquired Western Wines, the UK's largest independent wine importer, distributor and marketer, for £84m ($153m).

Oettinger Davidoff will enter a new stage in its travel-retail operations when it opens its first airport boutique at Zürich's new Airside Center this month.

Swiss supplier Villiger has reported strong sales of its Premium line of small cigars as the trend for flavoured cigarillos grows.

Hong Kong International airport liquor and tobacco concessionaire Sky Connection has reported a strong increase in sales of premium Cuban cigars.

Italy's strong luxury goods tradition has been extended to cigars with the introduction of a new line from CAO.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) has criticised beauty suppliers for being slow to respond to its calls for assistance in dealing with the grey market, the growth of which is hitting its airport business.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) is not the first duty-free retailer to speak out on the grey market. But it is one of the few to go public by calling for supplier help to halt the spread of grey-market activities.

A number of retailers are to invest in beauty consultants' training regimes to aid integration with generic staff.

High-end skincare brand La Prairie is developing a new counter concept and exploring different ways to display the brand in the airport retail environment.

Maike Kiessling, former general manager Europe distributor markets travel-retail at La Prairie, is to spearhead a new skincare venture funded by parent company Beiersdorf.

Estée Lauder skincare brand Origins is to open a counter at London Heathrow terminal three in November.

Aelia has piloted a new promotions concept at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CdG) airport, and confectionery and fine food companies are its first partners.

Singapore-based Distriworld is joining forces with key Asian operators, including Dufry and King Power (Thailand), to promote changes to the Chocolaterie Duc d'O range this month.

Swiss chocolate specialist Goldkenn has benefited from a reduction in the price of its Gold bar range following the launch of 100g Truffle bars with Mumm's champagne, Rémy Martin and Grand Marnier recipes earlier this year.

Estée Lauder's new Origins shop at London Heathrow terminal three, due to open in November, will help launch an innovative chocolate range called Sensory Therapy created for the Origins beauty brand by French chocolatier Jacques Torres.

Point-of-sale and in-store promotions equipment supplier Retec Europe is expanding in UK travel-retail bookstores.

UK travel-retail company Scorpio Distributors has made a foray into the electronics world, setting up a new toys and technology division headed by ex-Hasbro business account manager Keith Coveney.

Dutch distributor Dufri International has extended its product line-up with three new ranges from its existing clients.

Gulf Air began stocking best-selling books onboard its long-haul routes at the beginning of the peak summer season, with stocks including signed copies and recently released works.

German miniature optics supplier Minox has launched the ultra-flat DD100 digital camera boasting 3m pixels and a 5X zoom.

UK entertainment operator GameGrid re-opens

US news and gifts retailer Paradies Shops opened a CNBC newsstand at Oklahoma City airport at the beginning of the summer.

Australian jewellery supplier MKD Design International has entered the travel-retail market.

Italian jewellery house Unoaerre's travel-retail distributor Reflecta has predicted a boost in sales in emerging markets, particularly through Russian operator LenRianta.

Italian fashion brand Versace's sister company Versace SA has consolidated its timepiece collection for travel-retail and introduced lower price points

UK travel-retail distributor Cat Design has reported good results in the first half of the year with its freshwater pearl brand Orquidea.

Austrian enamel jewellery specialist Frey Wille is increasing its fashion accessories business by adding to its collections of men's and women's ties and scarves.

A year after Munich airport opened its Star Alliance hub at terminal two, the focus at the location is again on T1, where a makeover will give fashion a prominent position in the retail mix.

New London-based leathergoods brand Chantal Aurora has designed its autumn/winter collection specifically for travelling women

French eyewear supplier L'Amy is presenting this season's collection to travel-retail buyers.