The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
Today’s issue is all about airports-with reports of both new duty free concession contracts and exciting new shop concepts and openings throughout the region.
In our lead story, Aer Rianta International North America has won a 7+ year contract to operate the new duty free stores at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport. This is a big win for the group, since ARINA has operated the duty free stores in Montreal for the past two decades. Read more details on page 1.
In more developments in North America, L’Oréal’s Giorgio Armani team unveiled two expansions in Travel Retail Americas in May, with major openings in Vancouver and New York’s JFK International airports. Page 2.
Dufry continues to develop exciting new retail concepts, especially in Brazil. Among its two latest innovations, the travel retail giant has partnered with Barcelona-based fashion brand Desigual to open two new locations at RIOgaleão- Tom Jobim International Airport Terminal 2 – with both a permanent fashion shop-in-shop boutique and a temporary pop up store in the accessories area. Story on page 3.
While in São Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU), Dufry has partnered with Dior to open the first ever pop up store of the brand. Located in the departure area of Terminal 3 at GRU, the Dior pop-up features two “universes” for the brand for the new Dior Addict Lacquer, as well as a dedicated area for the men’s fragrances from the House of Dior. See more on the stunning concept on page 4.
In other news, Sarah Branquinho was unanimously re-elected as president of the European Travel Retail Council. This is a critical position as the advent of Brexit could herald the return of duty and tax free sales in both the UK and Europe, a measure that the ETRC is vigorously pursuing. Page 1.
It seems that the estimates for the amount of airlift between the US and Cuba was seriously over-estimated. Counter Intelligence Retail (CiR) reports that scheduled air traffic between the two locations fell from a peak of 180 thousand seats in January, to 152 thousand in May, and forecasts a larger downturn in the coming months in light of President Trump’s roll back of travel to Cuba. More details on page 3.
Supplier News
Alfa Brands has been appointed as the exclusive agent for Hardy Cognac in the Canadian Duty Free/Travel Retail markets. Page 5.
