The Middle East Duty Free Association promises a healthy dose of fun and to be much more than just a ?talking shop? at its inaugural duty-free conference in December. It will certainly need to be, argues Joe Bates, if the more serious issue of exploiting the region?s largely untapped potential is ever to be realised.

China?s airport managers are busy building on the promise of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, with bigger and better shops. But relying on passenger movements alone to reach inflated sales forecasts is a dangerous strategy. Still, it doesn?t seem to faze duty-free general manager Yan Han, as Anna Fenton finds out in an exclusive interview.

Retail revenues at Sydney airport have been holding up well, despite events such as the Bali bombings. Operator Sydney Airports Corp hopes to maintain retail?s position as the top non-aeronautical earner by attracting more passengers. Kevin Rozario went down under to find out more.

For years Oman has concentrated on the development of its oil riches, leaving tourism to take care of itself. But now the Sultanate has big plans to attract a larger share of the tourist market, and travel-retail is ready to capitalise on the potential. Joe Bates reports.

Are amethysts poised to be the next big thing in jewellery? Rebecca Mann talks to Ik-Hwan Kim, president of Ameth Co, one of the world?s most successful jewellery companies and a leading experts on amethysts.

When a company best known for its Koba Lingerie chain beat Aelia to the confectionery and fine foods franchise at the new Paris Charles de Gaulle terminal 2E, eyebrows were raised. But Michael Eaton finds that CDG Participations partner Gabriel Zeboulon is a man who takes his food very seriously indeed

There are countless myths, legends and beliefs surrounding amethysts and their powers, all of which go some way to explaining their broad appeal.

More and more jewellery companies are managing to coax a polished performance from their Asia/Pacific operations?and many remain convinced the best is yet to come, as Rebecca Mann found out.

Austrian jewellery manufacturer M Frey Wille believes Japan is the key to unlock the potential of the Asia/ Pacific market.

For a while it looked as if writing instruments would be the next victim of the technological revolution as two of the category?s top brands, Parker and Waterman, were left to stagnate. But following their acquisition by Sanford Europe, Rebecca Mann spoke to president Denis Terrien to find out why he thinks it?s time for a revival

Sanford Europe travel-retail and duty-free manager Diane Linon joined the company in September with a wealth of experience in travel-retail, particularly in high-end goods.

It?s been a long time coming and it?s not done yet, but the writing instruments category has started to sharpen up its act. Rebecca Mann reports.

The Chinese are not renowned for their love of confectionery but tastes are changing rapidly. As western suppliers compete for a slice of a growing market, they should remember that progress will take time. Joe Bates reports.

After talking to a wide range of suppliers TRI offers some advice on getting started in the growing Chinese duty-free market.

With federal tobacco taxes rising, many Americans are looking to tax-free outlets on native American reservations and the Internet for savings. And with states forecast to lose billions in tax revenue in the next few years, the US government is desperately looking for a way to stem the flow of cheap tobacco. Gavin Lipsith investigates.

The roll-your-own segment has experienced dramatic changes in the wake of intra-EU duty-free abolition, and other markets are superseding traditional strongholds such as Nordic ferry routes as higher taxes force consumers to economise. Gavin Lipsith reports.

Whether newcomers or old-timers, fashion houses are aggressively promoting their leathergoods and accessories portfolios through a potent mix of stand-alone boutiques, updated store concepts, diversified assortments and good old-fashioned networking. Neena Dhillon reports on the steady progress of an upbeat product category.

When Carré Royal vice-president sales & marketing worldwide Sydney van Volen showed the Spring/Summer 2003 range of Cacharel accessories at Cannes this year, he soon realised that the right balance had yet to be found.

While following the strategy of selective distribution, Ermenegildo Zegna is always ready to take a risk on a well-thought-out alternative retail concept.

What is it that makes some fragrances stand the test of time, and fashion? Jane Labous finds out what gives some fragrances that special something which just keeps customers coming back for more.

Developing innovative merchandising strategies that excite and convert into spend is at the top of every travel retailer?s job description. But few airports can claim to be bucking the global trend in falling liquor sales?except for Sydney Kingsford-Smith. Raven Fox?Horizon Consumer Insight?s Ian Cesa presents some key findings and explains how other catogories can learn from this success.

The airport gate desk, traditionally the snare that deprives stores of their customers, need not be a barrier to sales?if retailers campaign for an innovative cluster system which wouldn?t leave them at the furthest reaches of the terminal, argues Ivo Favotto.

After years of being overshadowed by other travel-retail trading regions, the Middle East is finally getting the audience it deserves.

The international department of food and drinks company Hediard has opened a boutique in Doha, Qatar in partnership with the Al Muftah family.

Bvlgari, Burberry and Salvatore Ferragamo are the top luxury brands featured in Abu Dhabi Duty Free?s (ADDF) new World of Luxury outlet.

Parfums Grès is rolling out Cabaret, its latest edp, following a dramatic launch at TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes in October.

Never one to shy away from the complex relationship between retailers, suppliers and landlords, Dan Cappell is gaining first-hand experience of life on the other side as a retailer. In an exclusive TRI interview, the Abu Dhabi Duty Free deputy managing director shares his insights with Adele Wolstenhulme.

Swiss company Caran d?Ache has made great progress with its pen portfolio, and makes no secret of its ambitious aims.

Asia is set to be the first duty-free move for Ocean Dream, the fragrance brand recently acquired from Procter & Gamble by UK company Designer Parfums.

SAS Trading international business development director Robert Hernadi is to leave the company at the end of 2002 to focus on his own consultancy business.

After three years of frustrating delay, the Espace Voyageur concept for EU airside retail is finally getting off the ground. Pioneered by French airport authority Aéroports de Paris, the concept is being implemented in Paris as well as at several UK airports. John Rimmer assesses the prospects of a campaign that many thought had finished.

The Indian Duty Free Association (IDFA) desperately wants the industry to take India more seriously. Unfortunately, Airport Authority of India?s (AAI) record of stalled retail tenders, and the red tape involved in doing business in the region have soured international perceptions of what is still a promising emerging market.

By Pat Pearce MBE, co-founder of Dreamflight, a charity which sends seriously ill children on the holiday of a lifetime to Florida.