(31-Jul-2003) **DFNI EXCLUSIVE** The Nuance Group and HMSHost divide the spoils at Toronto's speciality retail tender

(31-Jul-2003) **DFNI eXTRA EXCLUSIVE** Brennan braces DFS for the worst in an internal announcement signalling a major reorganisation

(31-Jul-2003) The carrier announces an invigorated approach to its inflight retail business as duty-free outlets face closure

(30-Jul-2003) Israel Airports Authority announces the first retail tender for Tel Aviv's new international terminal following passenger growth of over 10% in June and July.

(29-Jul-2003) Scotch whisky specialist Morrison Bowmore Distillers has won the distribution rights for the Matusalem Rum range in duty-free and travel-retail markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

(29-Jul-2003) Auckland International airport's growing retail business is to be boosted by a 30% increase in seat capacity when it unveils its summer schedule, commencing in October.

(29-Jul-2003) BAA's pre-tax profits slip 11.2% to £127m ($178m) for the three months to June 30, but results are boosted by a 3.2% growth in net retail income, to £130m ($182m)

(26-Jul-2003) Just one month after the World Health Organisation (WHO) lifted its SARS-induced travel advisory on Hong Kong, the region has been thrown back into panic with the discovery of 18 possible new cases.

(26-Jul-2003) Japanese department store operator Isetan is to wind down its Isetan Duty Free stores at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International airport, citing falling sales at the location.

(26-Jul-2003) The European Commission (EC) delegation to The Czech Republic has reacted angrily to a decision by the Czech chamber of deputies to delay the proposed closure of border duty-free outlets, previously scheduled for the end of the year

(25-Jul-2003) Clarins cuts anticipates growth of only 75% the levels originally anticipated for the year in Asia, but group ceo Christian Courtin Clarins remains optimistic about long-term prospects

(25-Jul-2003) Mexican airport authority ASUR has capitalised on a 10.2% increase in passenger traffic in the second quarter of the year with first-half duty-free revenue growth of 11.5%

(25-Jul-2003) LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton today announced consolidated sales in the first half of 2003 of Eu5.3bn ($6bn), a 9.9% drop compared to the same period in 2002. But operating income for the period rose 3% compared to last year.

(24-Jul-2003) Maltese beauty retailer Leaders, part of the Salvo Grima Group, is fighting to retain its concession at Malta International airport following the airport's decision to award the licence for its skincare and cosmetics duty-free shop to rival firm Franks Travel Retail.

(24-Jul-2003) Helsinki Vantaa airport welcomes Sand and Tie Rack, and says more stores will open by the end of the year

(24-Jul-2003) Philip Morris may be forced to review its local distribution contract with Etinera following the acquisition of its parent company by by rival British American Tobacco

(23-Jul-2003) Scotch whisky company Edrington Group is to open an office in Shanghai to oversee Asia/Pacific sales of its leading malt whisky brand The Macallan. The brand is believed to be the first Scotch whisky to open a base in China.

(23-Jul-2003) Interest is mounting for this landmark regional event, with key retailers and suppliers confirming their support. Book your place by July 25 to save $100 on the conference fee.

(19-Jul-2003) Fijian duty-free operator Motibhai Group has begun a $30m joint-venture project to create a new Suva Central business and retail complex, and its Prouds department store will be the anchor tenant.

(19-Jul-2003) Suppliers including Baume & Mercier, Lindt & Sprungli, Alfred Dunhill and Franco Ferrari will make up the exhibitor profile at the MEDFA-endorsed event, to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on December 1-3.

(18-Jul-2003) American Airlines has appointed Lauri Curtis to the position of vice-president flight services as part of a series of top-level changes. Curtis, formerly vice-president reservations, will take control of inflight duty-free as well as food and beverages, and will oversee the carrier's 19,000-plus flight attendants.

(18-Jul-2003) Beirut Duty Free reported June sales up 52% on the same month last year on the back of a 10% passenger increase. General manager Gerry Crawford said that sales were particularly strong in the fragrances and cosmetics sector.

(18-Jul-2003) **DFNI Exclusive** Beirut Duty Free has reported June sales up 52% on the same month last year. In an exclusive on-site interview with DFNI earlier this week, general manager Gerry Crawford said that he expected sales to continue their improvement after a difficult start for the operator?s new retail complex.

(18-Jul-2003) Airports Company South Africa group executive commercial Rory Mackey tells TRW that major improvements to Johannesburg International airport's retail offer have helped grow the company's commercial revenues by 25%.

(18-Jul-2003) British-American Tobacco's Eu2.32bn ($1.6bn) bid for Italian state-owned tobacco supplier Ente Tabacchi Italiani has been accepted. BAT, with local partners FB Group and Axiter beat stiff international competition, and will become the second largest supplier in the local market.

(17-Jul-2003) Passenger traffic hits 80% of normal figures in Hong Kong while Beijing Capital International Airport struggles to reach 60%

(17-Jul-2003) Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports may face a loss of purchasing power if the facilities are forced to compete following the decision to divide the national airport authority

(17-Jul-2003) The airport's landlord believes the 42% passenger traffic drop in June is as bad as it will get

(16-Jul-2003) Lancaster Group's merged Worldwide Travel Retail & Export division is to establish new headquarters in Miami.

(16-Jul-2003) Thailand's finance ministry is to readdress the issue of reducing tariffs on luxury goods in an attempt to drive tourism in the country.

(12-Jul-2003) Baselworld organiser MCH Swiss Exhibition has announced that Basel will host the entire show next year.

(12-Jul-2003) The state-owned authority is to split into three boards controlling Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. Aer Rianta International director-general Eamon Foley tells TRW that although the implications for the retailer are not yet clear, he is not concerned about the transition.

(12-Jul-2003) Legislation passed today by the Japanese parliament paves the way for the privatisation of Tokyo Narita International airport by setting up a new government-controlled airport management company, to be turned public in 2007.

(12-Jul-2003) UK-based distributor Cecil Macdonald has signed an agreement to distribute key Interbrew beer brands in selected UK travel-retail markets. The deal includes the Stella Artois, Boddingtons, Tennents and Bass brands in markets such as ships stores and military outlets.

(12-Jul-2003) COLOMBIA. The Colombian government has named November 2004 as the privatisation date of Bogotá?s Eldorado International airport.

(12-Jul-2003) The Hawaii State Department of Transportation has agreed to extend the deadline for rent relief discussions with DFS Group from July 10 to August 9.

(12-Jul-2003) The Clark Development Corp has given approval for the construction of a new duty-free shopping centre within the Philippines? Clark Special Economic Zone.

(11-Jul-2003) Travelretailworld publisher Raven Fox announces key changes to the editorial teams of sister titles DFNI and TRI

(11-Jul-2003) A legal action launched by Keflavik International airport's principal concessionaire Icemart could lead to a more competitive and open tender process if it wins support amongst Iceland's lawmakers.

(11-Jul-2003) Nuance-Watson (HK) has added two airside speciality shops to its concession tally at Hong Kong International Airport.

(11-Jul-2003) Hong Kong International Airport announced on Monday that daily passenger numbers for the first week of July had recovered to 70% of the same week last year.

(11-Jul-2003) The Nuance Group has pinpointed Europe's fastest-growing tourism markets, plus China, as potential targets for expansion over the next five years.

(8-Jul-2003) Driving supplier membership was high on the agenda at the UK Travel Retail Forum annual general meeting on Friday. The association discussed initiatives to broaden its membership base and encouraged operator members to enlist support from their own contacts in supplier companies.

(8-Jul-2003) Kuwait Duty Free has shrugged off the combined effects of SARS and regional conflict to produce record results in June.

(8-Jul-2003) A strong performance from landside and airside concessionaires has helped Denver International airport achieve record revenues at the start of 2003.

(8-Jul-2003) The Bulgarian Association of Duty-Free Enterprises has called for international support in the fight to retain its border duty-free business. Operators are to seek parliamentary reprise from last week's decision by the finance ministry to close the country's port and border stores on January 1 2004.

(4-Jul-2003) Inflight Service is to handle purchasing and distribution to SAS Trading's Euroshop airport stores under an agreement announced yesterday.

(4-Jul-2003) The US Federal Aviation Administration has launched a study into the economic impact of airline bankruptcies on airports. The report will focus particularly on how airport operations and finances are affected.

(4-Jul-2003) State-owned Airports of Thailand (AOT) said it has delayed its public share offer until the first quarter of 2004 awaiting 2003 earnings that should surpass its previous estimate after the end of the SARS outbreak.

(4-Jul-2003) **DFNI EXCLUSIVE** Bhutan has become the first country to ban the duty-free sale of tobacco products after signing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

(3-Jul-2003) 4th annual Airline and Supplier Conference. Under discussion were such topics as the effect on the industry of the Iraq war and SARS, strategies for improving sales, security, and inflight technology.

(3-Jul-2003) The International Air Transport Association has urged carriers to face the future with confidence as the world heads out of a downturn in international travel.

(3-Jul-2003) The Bulgarian Association of Duty Free Enterprises (ADFE) has refused to confirm media reports that it will seek legal action against the government if it decides to close border duty-free stores on January 1 2004.

(3-Jul-2003) Alpha Retail Group has made several changes to its retail presence at UK?s East Midlands airport following the five-year extension to its operations last summer.

(3-Jul-2003) South Korean tourism office and duty-free operator Korea National Tourism Organization has announced a major promotional drive targeting US, Chinese and Japanese visitors.

(3-Jul-2003) US-based liquor supplier Brown-Forman posted double-digit sales growth in its travel-retail business in the 2003 financial year, the company has reported.

(3-Jul-2003) The Indian civil aviation ministry has announced that it will forge ahead with plans to privatise Mumbai and Delhi airports despite organised protests by airport employees.

(1-Jul-2003) German airport group Fraport has registered a 1.6% decline in passenger traffic in the first half of the year, with the group's six airports handling almost 30.9m travellers.

(1-Jul-2003) Scotch whisky supplier Glenmorangie has created a new wood finish that will initially be available only in duty-free.