Absolut Vodka has partnered with Tabasco Brand for the launch of a new spicy vodka, Absolut Tabasco. The new collaboration launches this February across 50+ markets including global travel retail. According to Rae Gibson, Director, Power Brands and Emerging Categories, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Pernod Ricard will be staging a “truly global takeover” in travel […]
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ARI North America introduces new Salon Du Vin retail concept across key Canadian locations
ARI North America has launched a new category concept, Salon du Vin, at Montréal Duty Free and Quebec City Duty Free. This newly developed wine lounge concept was inspired by the Speakeasy bars, lounges and wine bars that can be found across Montréal and Quebec City, offering passengers an authentic experience as they shop an expertly […]
HMSHost opens first Eataly location in a North American airport at JFK T8
Avolta’s HMSHost opened its first Eataly location in a North American airport at JFK Terminal 8. The opening is the first of three Eataly locations planned for the airport, expanding the partnership across multiple terminals at one of the United States’ busiest international gateways. The new 5,526-square-foot full-service restaurant, 1,353-square-foot wine bar, and retail shop […]
DFA again partners with the Miami Dolphins to raise $I million for Breast Cancer Research through redesigned 2026 Golf Tournament
Duty Free Americas has once again partnered with the Miami Dolphins football team to raise one million dollars for breast cancer research through its 11th annual Charity Golf Tournament taking place on February 5, 2026 at the Trump National Doral Country Club in Miami. The sold-out golf event – which has become a key event […]
Women in Travel Retail+ chooses Morgan’s Army as official Charity Partner 2026
Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has announced Morgan’s Army Charitable Foundation as its official charity partner for 2026. Based in Wales, the charity was founded by Natalie and Matthew Ridler following the cancer diagnosis and subsequent death of their son Morgan, shortly before his 4th birthday. Today, Morgan’s Army supports families across South Wales affected […]
Starboard Group brings together Cruise and Retail Industry Leaders in Cancún for 2026 Annual Summit
Starboard Group held its 2026 Unleash the Potential Summit in Cancún, Mexico, last week, bringing together more than 200 Starboard retail managers and senior corporate leaders as well as executives from the world’s top cruise lines and retail brands. The three-day summit featured speakers from several of Starboard’s cruise line partners, including Christine Duffy, President […]
Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 27 No. 2
The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here There is a saying in the Caribbean that when the U.S. sneezes, the islands catch a cold … or worse. It appeared that the Caribbean might suffer a full-blown’ flu epidemic’ at the start of the year, […]
Peace Arch Duty Free begins landmark investment of $6.5 million in renovations
Peace Arch Duty Free, North America’s largest land-border duty free retailer located on the Canadian border in Surrey, British Columbia, has embarked on a $6.5 million investment redevelopment project The project, which Peace Arch founder and President Peter Raju says will be the world’s most luxurious land-border duty free shop, is being designed to significantly enhance the […]
Luke Barras-Hill launches new strategic communications advisory
Experienced travel retail professional Luke Barras-Hill has launched TRDF Media, a specialist B2B communications and media advisory company. Barras-Hill has more than 15 years’ experience in the global travel retail and duty free industry, most recently as Editorial Director and Board Member at TRBusiness. TRDF Media supports brands, retailers, airports and other stakeholders across global […]
China Tourism Group Duty Free to acquire DFS’ Greater China Retail Business
In a major breaking news story, China Tourism Group Duty Free (CTG Duty-Free) will acquire DFS’ stores in Hong Kong and Macau and intangible assets in Greater China. The new “definitive agreement” was announced today in a joint statement by DFS, parent company LVMH andDFS’ co-founder and shareholder Robert Miller, and Beijing-based CTG Duty-Free. Through this transaction, CTG […]
Ashish Gandham appointed Suntory Oceania Managing Director
Suntory Oceania has announced the appointment of Ashish Gandham as Managing Director, Suntory Global Spirits – Oceania. Gandham currently serves as Managing Director of Suntory Global Spirits Global Travel Retail in Singapore. No replacement has yet been appointed for the GTR role. The company says GTR remains a top priority for Suntory Global Spirits, and […]
Ghost Tequila names John McDonnell Executive Chairman
Boston-based Ghost Tequila has announced the appointment of John McDonnell as Executive Chairman of the Board. Until recently, McDonnell served as Managing Director, International, at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Over his 12-year tenure he led the expansion of the brand from a handful of North American markets to nearly 150 countries and islands worldwide and distribution […]
René Machon joins Blue Caterpillar as Commercial Director Europe
International boutique spirits distribution company Blue Caterpillar has announced the appointment of René Machon as Commercial Director Europe as of January 1st 2026. Based in Hamburg, Germany, Machon will lead Blue Caterpillar’s European expansion and development efforts. René Machon brings more than 20 years of international experience in the spirits industry, with a strong focus […]
DFS to close all Hawaii stores after 63 years
Following a tenure of 63 years in business, DFS has announced that it is closing its three stores in Hawaii this year. The company has confirmed to travel retail media that it will close its Waikiki downtown store on January 28 and its Honolulu Inter-national Airport store on March 31. It will also be closing its […]
OAG: Canada continues to reduce airline capacity to the U.S.
The traditional “snowbird” winter season of travel between the United States and Canada continues to be impacted negatively by Canadian sentiment to actions by the current U.S. administration, with airlines adjusting capacity downwards, reports OAG. Canadian airlines have reduced USA-bound capacity by nearly 10% for Q1 2026, representing 450,000 seats. Capacity shifts away from traditional […]
