North America News

(15-Oct-2006) CANADA. Ambassador Duty Free Store, which operates a shop on the Canada–US border, has expanded its store by 2,500sq ft (232sq m)

(15-Oct-2006) CANADA. Operators on the Canada–US border have welcomed a delay in the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Transport Initiative, which requires all passengers crossing US borders to carry a passport. An amendment to the original bill has delayed its implementation until July 2009, giving the industry time to prepare for the changes

(15-Oct-2006) Baja Duty Free has reported strong growth in sales of Philip Morris brands at its Las Americas store in San Ysidro following the installation of new furniture supporting the supplier's Marlboro brand family

(15-Oct-2006) More fashion & leathergood news

(15-Oct-2006) Butlers Chocolates has formed a novel association with Irish fashion and accessories designer Orla Kiely to create a new selection of premium chocolates and keepsake chocolate boxes that will be launched on the Butlers stand in Cannes this month

(15-Oct-2006) Dubai International, the world's third biggest airport for duty-free sales, has ambitious expansion plans, including a new terminal that will allow Dubai Duty Free to more than double the size of its operation. Gavin Lipsith looks at the planning behind the largest single investment in the retailer's history

(15-Oct-2006) Bacardi-owned cognac house Otard has launched its first vintage cognac in a limited edition of 975 bottles

(15-Oct-2006) Family-owned Canadian icewine brand Peller Estates has joined forces with experienced former Allied Domecq duty-free executive Peter Ayling to expand travel-retail distribution in Europe and the Middle East

(15-Oct-2006) US. The request for proposal (RFP) to develop and operate duty-free retail at Chicago O'Hare International airport has finally been released by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation, six months after incumbent Duty Free Americas' original contract was due to expire

(15-Oct-2006) US. Alpha Airports Group has completed renovation work at Orlando Sanford and Orlando International airports. The operator invested $2m at the locations, expanding its two stores—one from 4,000sq ft to 5,000sq ft (370–465sq m) and the other from 1,000sq ft to 2,300sq ft (93–214sq m)