The Nuance Group ceo North America Roger Dunbar is not afraid to challenge the archaic legacy of old-style duty-free retailing. Nor does he pull his punches on suppliers, suggesting that the retail aspect of the business should be left to the experts. In TRI?s exclusive interview, he talks candidly to Adele Wolstenhulme.

Manchester has begun a five-year revamp with a £5.5m reconfiguration of terminal one  even though the airport is not trying to increase capacity. Neena Dhillon spoke to managing director John Spooner and retail business manager Jane Barber to find out why they are focusing on the retail offer.

Most airports have tended to give skiers and snowboarders the cold shoulder when it comes to meeting their needs. But, as Rebecca Mann finds out, with cheap flights and heavy snowfalls in the Alps attracting  ever-increasing numbers of skiers and snowboarders, numbers have reached a point where travel retailers should rethink their strategy.

Making a profit out of major sporting events requires an unparalleled attention to detail as last summer?s World Cup showed. Joe Bates takes a whistle-stop tour around the globe to see how travel retailers are preparing for up-coming events, not least the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Longer dwell times are giving US airport retailers grounds for optimism, but is the business realising the full commercial potential of the post-September 11 travel environment? Joe Bates investigates.

While the big story for US airlines is one of cost-cutting and consolidation, carriers still see retail revenue as a useful contribution to the bottom line, even if it is smaller than before. Eluned Jones finds out how, by outsourcing and honing their offer, airlines plan to make inflight work.

Following a turbulent period for Argentinian operators there are signs that the tide could be turning, as airport passenger traffic rises and retail sales recover. But while economic prospects look healthier, concessionaire InterBaires still has a significant problem to resolve, as John Gallagher discovers.

As the business climate in South America brightens, the duty-free picture in Argentina is less certain as duty-free concessionaire InterBaires and airport operator AA2000 fight it out in the courts over the validity of their concession contract and the legality of an addendum signed in 2001.

Welcome to the first of a new TRI series in which we invite a panel of experts to rate some of the products familiar to travellers around the world. In this issue we look at vodka?one of the world?s most popular spirits but whose complexity is rarely appreciated by consumers. John Rimmer hosted TRI?s first tasting session at the Ochre Vodka Bar in central London.

Uncertainty shrouds sunglasses suppliers? plans for expansion and development in the Americas in 2003. Kevin Rozario talks to some of the industry?s key players about the challenging market conditions that continue to dog the sector.

Niche sunglasses concepts are opening new doors in airport retail. The latest to take its expansion plans outside the US into neighbouring Canada is Sporting Eyes, a retail brand owned by Oakley-owned company Iacon.

French fashion firm Jean Paul Gaultier is aiming to quadruple its travel-retail share. For any other firm that might be dismissed as an idle boast, but JPG has proved a fast mover. Eluned Jones speaks exclusively to JPG president Donald Potard to find out how he plans to make that dream a reality.

Traditionally, travel retailers don?t consider Americans worth targeting, preferring instead to woo higher-spending Asian travellers. But Raven Fox-Horizon Consumer Insight?s recent study in Hong Kong has shown that for overall spend this is not true, and it is high time travel retailers targeted Americans with items unique to the destination.

The sale by LVMH of its Urban Decay and Hard Candy brands to The Falic Group throws up more questions than answers. Kevin Rozario asks the new owners what their intentions are, now that they are firmly back in the beauty business and one of the leading lights in US travel-retail.

Israel?s situation has never been more precarious. A government under pressure, growing internal friction and the threat of another Gulf war all add to the uncertainty. Nevertheless, Israel Airports Authority remains determined to invest. Gavin Lipsith looks forward to the opening of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport?s new international terminal.

Post September 11, this issue?s guest columnist Alan Bork emphasises the continuing need for the three industry participants?airports, retailers and suppliers?to debate and work in unison.

The cosmetics sector is fast catching up with fragrances, traditionally the staple of the beauty category in the travel-retail business. With more and more make-up, skincare and full-service cosmetics counters at airports, Jane Labous finds out if the two sectors can still live happily together.

Niche sunglasses concepts are opening new doors in airport retail. The latest to take its expansion plans outside the US into neighbouring Canada is Sporting Eyes, a retail brand owned by Oakley-owned company Iacon.

Determining how much retail space an airport can profitably sustain is one of the most difficult questions of terminal planning. But Ivo Favotto argues that no airport has ever maximised the number and size of outlets it can support.

French fashion firm Jean Paul Gaultier is aiming to quadruple its travel-retail share. For any other firm that might be dismissed as an idle boast, but JPG has proved a fast mover. Eluned Jones speaks exclusively to JPG president Donald Potard to find out how he plans to make that dream a reality.

Italian company Pupa is to focus on international expansion and consolidation projects in 2003. It plans to invest in strengthening its brand in countries where it is already present and to search for new partners in new markets.

German fragrances company Mäurer + Wirtz has told TRI it aims to push strongly into the South American market. It is seeking a presence in local and duty-free markets in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Panama and Venezuela by the end of the year.

Brands from all sectors of the travel-retail industry have confirmed participation at the year?s TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition, to be held from May 20 to 23 in Singapore.

Fragrance house Paco Rabanne has created a new logo specifically for the travel-retail sector in an attempt to gain greater visibility in the market.

Zirh International...Cosmopolitan Cosmetics...Safilo Group