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NORTH KOREA. A new 500sq m (5,380sq ft) duty-free store is scheduled to open at North Korea's Geum Gang San mountain resort—developed by Hyundai Asan—in June
UK. The future ownership of BAA is in the balance following a hostile bid for the UK airports operator from a consortium led by Spain's Grupo Ferrovial. Last week the BAA board rebuffed a move from the consortium that valued the business at 810 pence a share, or about $15bn
IRELAND. Aer Rianta International (ARI) recorded profits of €17.4m ($21.2m) in the year ending December 31 2005, a big increase on the 2004 figure of €9.4m ($11.5m)
Insight
Mention the potential for duty-free business in North Korea and most will either wince or express doubt that the market even exists
At first glance, the proposals looked like an unexpected piece of regulatory good cheer for the European industry
Two years on and the jury is still out on the Duty Free Show of the Americas' move to Fort Lauderdale
One of the most intriguing new store openings in the travel-retail industry this month will take place in Tallinn on April 28, when ferry company Tallink launches its latest super-ferry, the M/S Galaxy
The precarious future of duty-free tobacco was thrown into relief once again earlier this month when the Sri Lankan government made good its pledge to ban sales of tobacco at the country's arrivals duty-free stores and on board flights into Colombo
Travel retailers have increasingly turned to colour coding as a way to improve product presentation and to guide shoppers through their stores. But it could work so much better if the effort was coordinated across the industry
Three years ago this month the SARS crisis was at its peak, warranting front-page coverage in DFNI as concern over travel to and from Asia spread panic among tourists and business travellers
People & Company
More people and company news
More people & company news
Summit news
Features
Cigar supplier Altadis USA has established a strong presence in Asia/Pacific domestic markets over the past seven years. Now the company has set its sights on the duty-free channel to build sales and exposure in the region. By Gavin Lipsith
For growth in Europe, look east. Travel-retail markets in Western Europe remain the engine of the regional industry, but the pace of development is quicker in former Soviet countries. DFNI looks at some of the key locations and asks retailers how growth can be maintained
The Volatility of Bulgarian politics makes it difficult to predict the duty-free industry's next twists and turns. While the country's airport stores go from strength to strength, its border stores suffer peaks and troughs in their fight for survival. Tina Milton reports on the latest developments
Aelia's London Luton airport store was designed to attract brand-loving UK travellers with an eye for discounts and promotions. But persuading passengers to venture airside and shop 'til they drop remains a challenge that the retailer is addressing. Tina Milton investigates
Toy buyers in the travel-retail channel must satisfy the desires of the world's most demanding customers. emily Pacey discovers what retailers look for in their search for the next big thing in the toy market
As the exclusive distributor of Cuban cigars to the world's fastest-growing market, Pacific Cigar Co has driven growth in Asia/Pacific's cigar category and offers a unique perspective of the market. Gavin Lipsith speaks to the company, its client retailers and brand owners
The second annual presentation of the Raven Fox Awards for Travel Retail Excellence in the Americas was made in Fort Lauderdale last month, honouring the best of the regional industry. DFNI looks back on the event and profiles the winners
Retail News Analysis
ASIA/PACIFIC. Raven Fox is pleased to reveal the shortlist for its Awards for Travel Retail Excellence in Asia/Pacific 2006
HONG KONG. Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has teamed up with luxury duty-free suppliers to produce a range of commemorative items to celebrate its 60th anniversary
SRI LANKA. Retailer Alpha Orient Lanka is continuing its lobbying effort against the Sri Lankan government's recent decision to ban sales of tobacco in arrivals duty-free (DFNI April 1)
RUSSIA. Retailers are preparing for the introduction of new legislation governing import licensing and product labelling on items sold in Russian duty-free shops. The changes will affect the liquor trade in particular
UK. Low-cost airline BMI Baby has named catering and logistics company Air Fayre as its onboard retail concessionaire
TURKEY. Turkish retailer Unifree is to open a 413sq m (4,443sq ft) arrivals shop and a gate store covering 45sq m (484sq ft) at the new international terminal at Dalaman airport, which will open in May
SPAIN. Spanish travel retailer and caterer Areas posted an 18.9% increase in net profit in the fiscal year ending September 2005. Company turnover reached €605.3m ($738.1m), an increase of 9% on the previous year
UAE. Dubai Duty Free has posted sales of Dh571m ($155.6m) in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 12% on the same period last year
EUROPE. The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has reacted with alarm to proposed changes to allowances for travellers entering the EU from a third country
RUSSIA. Aer Rianta International's Runway Duty Free business has recorded strong year-on-year sales increases in the first three months of 2006
HONG KONG. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has announced the winners of its tenders for new retail space at Hong Kong International airport's SkyMart
CZECH REPUBLIC. Prague Airport and its retail tenants expect a sharp rise in passenger numbers to boost sales this summer, as extra capacity and new airline routes take effect
ICELAND. Keflavik International airport has announced the appointment of three new operators in its new terminal, which will open in stages to retailers and passengers from June
INTERNATIONAL. Leading airport catering company Select Service Partner (SSP) and its US arm Creative Host Services have been bought by European private equity firm EQT
AUSTRALIA. Brisbane airport's expanded international terminal is to feature a line-up of global and local brands, Brisbane commercial director Barry Kairl told DFNI Asia
RUSSIA. St Petersburg Pulkovo airport operator Lenrianta posted sales growth of 22% last year as the company built on five years of rapid growth
Liquor & Wines
Alpha Airport Shopping has developed new concepts to promote the liquor and wine offer at its new £1.4m ($2.45m) flagship store at Birmingham International airport
Italian spirits company Distilleria Bottega will launch a grappa-based cream liqueur at the TFWA Asia Pacific show in Singapore next month
V&S Absolut Spirits is set to launch a grapefruit-flavoured Absolut variant this summer, the eighth flavoured vodka in the range
Jamaican spirits group Wray & Nephew has added a new super-premium sipping rum to its Appleton range
German wine company Racke has formed a joint venture with Chilean winery Aresti to launch a wine brand called Espiritu de Chile.
Independent Scottish supplier Inver House Distillers has announced the relaunch of its Heather Cream liqueur at next month's TFWA Asia Pacific show in Singapore
Tobacco Products
The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is to host the tobacco workshop at next month's TFWA Asia Pacific show, focusing on the numerous threats that have emerged in the region during the past year
Imperial Tobacco has built on the success of its core UK brands on board P&O Ferries with the addition of new fixtures on one of the operator's key routes
Franco-Spanish tobacco manufacturer Altadis is increasing its focus on Asian duty-free to boost its cigar and cigarette divisions
Fragrances
Coty has created Coty Prestige, a division to manage the company's premium brands
More fragrances news
P&G Prestige Products general manager travel-retail Americas Thierry Rouquette has unveiled the group's strategic direction in the Americas, following the transitional phase it underwent last year
Cosmetics
More cosmetics news
Aelia is to launch a series of exclusive beauty items at its 1,000sq m (10,760sq ft) store at London Luton airport, mirroring the strategy adopted at its Paris operations
Turin airport reported "better than average" beauty sales during the Winter Olympic Games, with revenue in February up by over 50% year on year
Essence Corp's Clarins division, which distributes the Clarins brands in Americas travel-retail, plans to boost its portfolio in the first half of 2006 with several new additions
Confectionery & Fine Foods
Swiss premium chocolate company Favarger, which celebrated its 180th anniversary during the Versoix chocolate festival at its headquarters near Geneva last month, has yet to complete a year in the duty-free channel but is performing ahead of expectations, according to the company
Swiss sugar-free and herb-based sweets specialist Ricola, which was relaunched in the duty-free sector last year (DFNI November 1 2005), is continuing to strengthen its distribution network
UK chocolate manufacturer Elizabeth Shaw, which re-entered the travel-retail sector less than two years ago (DFNI November 1 2004), has sold a majority stakeholding to leading Icelandic confectionery company Nói Síríus
Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) will present its full portfolio at TFWA Asia Pacific in Singapore next month
Gifts & Electronics
Hudson Group has completed a deal to operate and expand Discovery Channel airport stores in the US and Canada
The US division of plush toy company Russ Berrie staked its claim for the Americas duty-free market last month
P&O Ferries has reported impressive sales growth in the toy category in 2005
UK enamel gift supplier Halcyon Days has launched a range of Easter gifts and accessories
Jewellery & Watches
This year's Baselworld watch and jewellery show, which took place from March 30 to April 6, once again provided suppliers with an impressive platform to showcase their latest products
UK watch company Rotary relaunched its second heritage brand at Baselworld earlier this month. Windmills is a traditional English watch brand dating back to the eighteenth century
Fashion & Leathergoods
More fashion & leathergoods news
Sports sunglasses are set to make a greater impact in duty-free this year as retail buyers look to cater for a younger passenger profile
Gebr Heinemann has opened a second Hugo Boss store at Vienna International airport, in the location's east pier.
Allure Eyewear, an affiliate of privately-owned eyewear producer and distributor Marchon, has signed deals sealing the debut of Oscar de la Renta sunglasses in the travel-retail market
Following the launch of its first luggage collections less than a year ago, UK fashion house Paul Smith has added a further range targeted at weekend travellers and passengers who want to travel light