The vaccination process is going forward in South America, albeit slowly, reported José Luis Donagaray, Secretary General of South American Duty Free Association ASUTIL during a far-ranging webinar last Wednesday. With an average of only 18% of the population currently fully vaccinated in the region, Donagaray confirms that the region is still far behind North […]
Latin America
Lagardère wins Lima DF concession with pioneering profit-sharing business model
Travel retail operator Lagardère and Lima Airport Partners (LAP) have announced that the French company will take over the master duty free concession at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Peru. The two companies signed a long-term agreement that goes into effect from January 2022. LAP is part of the Fraport Group. The concession contract is […]
WEBB Banks expands into fast-growing CBD and Wellness category with launch of WB Canna Co. & Wellness
Miami-based wine and spirits distributor WEBB Banks has opened a new division focused on the distribution of top- quality cannabidiol (CBD) and wellness products, a product area in which the company sees tremendous growth potential. The new wholly owned subsidiary, called WB Canna Co. & Wellness, will handle distribution of these fast-growing product categories in […]
First Corona store in the world opens at Cancun International Airport
Grupo Modelo in partnership with Francobolli opened the first official Corona store in the world at Cancun International Airport earlier this month. Rafael Pulcinelli, Director of Business Expansion Grupo Modelo, says the opening of the store is a dream come true and the company has been working on the project since last year. Corona’s presence […]
InnoTRI opens in new Brazilian Cell Shop Duty Free on Brazilian border in Iguaçu
Miami-based specialist distribution company InnoTRI has partnered with Cell Shop Duty Free for the opening of the largest land-based free shop in Brazil this month. Christoph Henkel, InnoTRI co-founder and manager, tells TMI the collaboration with the Brazilian land border operator for its new 2,000 sqm store located in the Catuaí Palladium Shopping Mall in […]
Tairo International’s “Perfect” launch for new Marc Jacobs fragrance goes high profile with SEARS in Mexico
Miami-based fragrance distributor Tairo International held a high profile, impactful launch for the new Marc Jacobs Perfect fragrance with SEARS Mexico across its stores in February, which included dressing windows and store fronts, as well as interior podiums and sampling. The HPP followed Tairo’s December 2020 launch in travel retail stores throughout the Carib-bean and […]
One on One with Marcelo Montico, CEO, Neutral by Luryx
Neutral under new ownership looks ahead with confidence One of the most important news stories in Latin America in 2019 was when Panamanian company Top Brands International acquired Neutral Duty Free, the largest duty free chain in Uruguay, that July. The acquisition made Top Brands one of the largest duty free players in the region, […]
Relationships times three lead WEBB Banks to powerful new brands and growing business
With tourism essentially shut down, WEBB Banks’ focus on the Caribbean local markets during the coronavirus pandemic has helped propel the leading wine and spirits distribution company to a stronger position than it was in a year ago, says WEBB Banks CEO Andy Consuegra. TMI met recently with Consuegra; Phillip Jarrell, Vice President, Marketing & […]
MONARQ Group reaches customers with digital innovations
As international tourism dried up MONARQ Group shifted its focus to digital marketing, social media and e-commerce, Managing Director Robert de Monchy tells TMI. To promote its brands on social media, the independent premium wine and spirits distributor launched MONARQ’s Social Club early on during the pandemic with overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. The company […]
GAP chooses The Design Solution for US$300m redevelopment of commercial space at Guadalajara International Airport
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) has partnered with The Design Solution to redesign Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport. GAP, which says it wants to create the “best airport in Mexico” at its home base in Guadalajara, plans to invest 10 billion Pesos (US$504m) by 2026. The plan includes an additional runway and new […]
Lancôme TR Americas and Dufry open Lancôme’s biggest flagship in South America
Lancôme Travel Retail Americas and Dufry have partnered to open Lancôme’s biggest flagship in South America. The 43sqm store opened at the international departures area of Terminal 3 of São Paulo International Airport (GRU Airport) on January 31, 2021. Lancôme’s new flagship features numerous eye-catching screens and embraces the values of the brand – joy, […]
ASUTIL and m1nd-set launch B1S recovery monitor to support return to growth
Latin American duty free association ASUTIL is among the first of the regional associations to partner with Swiss research agency m1nd-set to adopt m1nd-set’s recovery monitor and share insights with its members. mind-set is supporting the industry’s return to growth with traffic and shopping behavior insights from its data tool Business 1ntelligence Service (B1S). According […]
Argentina extends AA2000’s airport concession by 10 years
The Argentine Government has extended the airport management concession contract held by Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (AA2000) by 10 years, until 2038. The current contract was due to expire in 2028, and the extension follows a recommendation by ORSNA, the Government control-led airports regulator. AA2000 has agreed to invest a minimum of US$2.5bn during the remaining […]
New allowances and more stores announced at Brazil border conference
South American Duty Free Association, ASUTIL, and CEFSU, the Chamber of Uruguayan Free Shops, held a two-day virtual conference on Nov. 24-25, that examined new opportunities arising from the opening of duty free shops on the Brazilian border, during which government officials unveiled increased duty free allowances and details of new store openings. Originally planned […]
New border shops open in Brazil despite slowdown
Border store openings in Brazil slowed down towards the end of 2019 when the Brazilian economy stagnated and did not advance in line with expectations. The pandemic clearly made the situation much worse for all operators and business was non-existent during the second quarter of this year. As of the beginning of the third quarter, […]
