ASUTIL closes with a theme of partnership

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Retail developments at one of the region's largest landlords and the theme of partnership between retailers and suppliers were discussed on the closing day of the Latin American conference

The second and final day of Latin American trade association ASUTIL's eighth annual conference, co-organised with TRW publisher Raven Fox, featured an insightful presentation from one of the region's largest landlords on retail developments and an engaging discussion on the benefits of co-operation between retailers and suppliers.
 
Infraero commercial director Fernando Bendagio de Almeida delivered Friday's keynote address, outlining the Brazilian airport authority's challenges in operating a network of 66 airports and catering for an estimated 250m airport users. Infraero's new Aeroshopping concept aims to develop landside shopping malls in several airports and will be a vital component of future airport development, he said.
 
One of the most interesting sessions of the final day was an analysis of partnerships between retailers and suppliers. Zeinal Hermanos brands manager Alejandro Reyes, Bright Star general manager duty-free Nicolas Urioste and Altadis duty-free area manager Franck Lemonnier all argued that dialogue and information exchange lead to better planning, boosting penetration.
 
The 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the Latin American duty-free industry went to Zeinal Hermanos chairman Walter Zeinal senior and was accepted on his behalf by CEO Walter Zeinal junior.
 
The conference was sponsored by Aldeasa, Bacardi, Brasif, Cailler, Diageo, Duty Free Bahia, Dufry Group, InterBaires and Zeinal Hermanos.
 
See DFNI October 1 for a comprehensive report on the ASUTIL conference.