The International Civil Aviation Organization has recommended that its 189 member states adopt the same restrictions on liquids now in place at European airports. If applied inconsistently the new rules could threaten liquid sales to transfer passengers worldwide. DFNI examines the next steps for the duty-free industry

While travel retailers are preparing for one of the world’s biggest duty-free opportunities at Seoul Incheon International airport next year, it is interesting to recall that nine years ago international operators were eagerly anticipating a similar opportunity at the location

In a region often considered to be a few steps behind the rest of the world in travel-retail terms, news of a forward-thinking initiative, such as that being carried out by Dallas Fort Worth International airport concessionaire Buckaroo Duty Free, travels fast

Any first-time visitor to Dubai cannot help being impressed by the pace of development in the Gulf’s leading city.

More people and company news

After six years consolidating its business following the merger between Saresco and Aeroboutique, Aelia is ready to look beyond its French base. In The DFNI Interview, Aelia vice-president organisation and business development Ambroise Fondeur explains how the international success of ambitious parent company Hachette Distribution Services (HDS) is fuelling Aelia’s expansion strategy

As the European ferry market emerges from a wave of consolidation, Lorna Strickland assesses the implications of recent mergers

A recent legal ruling on cross-border sales was welcome news for European ferry operators, but their onboard beer businesses remain under threat from domestic discounting, writes Joe Bates

Following two high-profile launches of travel-retail exclusives in the cigar category, Gavin Lipsith asks whether other suppliers are likely to pick up on this trend and why the time is right to launch cigar exclusives

Despite the trials and tribulations of the past year, investment by retailers in the cigar category has continued apace. DFNI tracks some of the main developments of the past 12 months and looks forward to the big projects due to open in 2007

Although it has been several months since the trade last heard about the threat to duty-free sales of tobacco products, European Travel Retail Council secretary general Keith Spinks reminds DFNI that vigilance is essential if the industry is to protect itself from further restrictions

The forecast for the sunglasses category looks bright but are retailers embracing the category as fully as they should? And if they are what lies in store for the future? Kevin Rozario finds out

YSL Beauté president and CEO Chantal Roos and vice-president worldwide travel-retail Sylvie Lavagno talk openly about the company’s beauty strategy and its flagship men’s fragrance L’Homme Yves Saint Laurent

The industry has welcomed a number of innovative product launches and marketing initiatives throughout 2006. DFNI’s product category specialists present their pick of the new products, stores and marketing campaigns from the past 12 months in this year’s DFNI Product Awards

DFNI looks back on some of the year’s memorable quotes and pictures

Two of Europe’s leading travel retailers—Dufry Group and Hellenic Duty Free Shops—have just released positive financial results for the first nine months of this year.

Alpha-Pantaloon appointed at Delhi | Nuance-Shoppers’ Stop claims Bangalore victory | Contracts valued at over $100m each | Hyderabad launches request for proposals

UK. The Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) plan to refer BAA to the Competition Commission is a blow for the UK airports group and new owner Grupo Ferrovial, as are the damning results of the OFT’s market study on the UK airports industry

SINGAPORE. Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is preparing to launch its two airport-wide mega-tenders for liquor and tobacco and fragrances and cosmetics, but it is not slowing the pace of other commercial activities at Singapore Changi airport

More news analysis

Slovakia. Bratislava airport’s decision to take control of duty-free operations after a new board of directors was appointed has caused confusion in the Slovakian city

EUROPE. The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has urged the industry to continue its financial support of the Aviation Security Campaign following a growing number of pledges over the past month

SCANDINAVIA. Ferry operator Tallink/Silja’s decision to withdraw from its duty-free purchasing agreement with Inflight Service may have surprised some

SWEDEN. The loss of the Tallink/Silja duty-free purchasing contract will have a significant impact on Swedish retailer and distributor Inflight Service’s buying pool, but will not greatly affect its profitability, the company has claimed

UK. London & Continental Railways (LCR) is in “advanced discussions” with duty-free retailers regarding the contract to run tax-free retail at Eurostar’s new UK hub at London St Pancras station

CHINA. King Power Group (Hong Kong) subsidiary Orient King Power has been appointed to operate landside and domestic retail at Shanghai Pudong airport (RavenFox.com, December 1)

Morrison Bowmore is to introduce an exclusive range of duty-free whiskies for its flagship single malt brand Bowmore as part of an extensive, five-year £20m ($39m) investment plan

Will Maxxium withdrawal pave the way for Rémy sale?

Berry Bros & Rudd has launched a range of aged Cutty Sark whiskies in a bid to take the 83-year-old brand upmarket

New labelling requirements could threaten sales of flavoured vodkas and rums in Canada, Blue Water Bridge Duty Free Shop director Peter Brain told delegates at the Frontier Duty Free Association annual convention last month

Pernod Ricard Gulf has revealed that its duty-free business in the Middle East is thriving thanks to rising passenger numbers and increased consumer purchasing power, driven by the booming regional economy

Champagne brand Vranken Pommery Monopole has highlighted its historical links with the worlds of art and fashion with the introduction of a new limited-edition designer wrap for 2006

Airports could do more to encourage smokers to spend at their duty-free stores, British-American Tobacco (BAT) managing director worldwide duty-free Neil Lovett told delegates at last month’s Middle East Duty Free Association conference in Dubai.

Japan Tobacco is in preliminary talks with Gallaher with a view to acquiring the UK-based supplier of Silk Cut cigarettes

The European Union’s ruling on inbound traveller allowances will allow governments to adopt their own limits on the amount of duty-free tobacco passengers can bring into their countries, industry campaigners have warned

More tobacco news

Aelia has unveiled plans for The Men’s Lounge, which it operates in partnership with Aéroports de Paris at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport terminal 2D

Beauté Prestige International (BPI) COO Eric Henry has described 2006 as a “good year” for the company and emphasised the importance of BPI’s “pillar” brands

Well-being concept Rejuve has closed its outlet at London Heathrow terminal one eight months after it opened

Stretch mark-reducing cream turned anti-ageing brand StriVectin is to step up its travel-retail presence and is seeking partners and distributors to back its expansion plans

US spa operator XpresSpa has revealed its expansion plans for 2007, when it is set to open six new outlets in the US

Parfums Christian Dior unveiled its long-awaited men’s range Dior Homme Dermo System at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes

French gourmet food specialist Fauchon is marking its 120th anniversary with a diversification programme focusing on food accessories and what it calls “the art of gracious living”

Delaviuda, the Spanish company best known for its turrón products, is expanding its chocolate range with a push towards the luxury end of the travel-retail sector

Caffè Florian, operator of the famous bistro/cafe in Venice’s Piazza San Marco for almost 300 years, has expanded in travel-retail after two years of exhibiting at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, and is keen to develop retail partnerships

Belgian biscuit manufacturer Jules Destrooper aims to formalise its activities for next year by staging one promotion every quarter and offering it to all retail partners, rather than trying to manage a range of offers

Pen supplier AT Cross has just recorded its first sales growth in 10 years following a move into stationery and leathergoods earlier in the year

Music and entertainment retailer InMotion Entertainment has opened a store in the Airmall retail area at Pittsburgh airport

Swiss luxury jewellery and watch supplier Chopard has received proposals from 13 retailers and airport authorities to open new boutiques in travel-retail

Monaco-based pearl jewellery supplier Misaki has opened new store displays in seven locations in recent months

Fine jewellery sales at cruiseship operator Carnival Corp have shown higher increases than in any other category in the past two to five years, DFNI understands

UK airports group BAA is expected to roll out its in-house multi-branded fashion and accessories concept Collection to other locations following the success of its first two stores at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports

One of the world’s best-known fashion brands, Calvin Klein, is considering opening stand-alone stores in travel-retail in the coming year

Danish fashion house Sand is going upmarket at all new airport locations with the introduction of its premium men’s line XO

Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) bank balance went up by €900,000 ($1.2m) this autumn thanks to sales of Ryder Cup merchandise. Of this, 82% was attributable to fashion items