Essence Corp has kicked off 2026 with a slew of high-profile successes for Fenty Beauty, Parfums de Marly and Dolce & Gabbana. Not only was the Miami-based beauty distributor honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award in Travel Retail 2026 at the Parfums de Marly Paris Annual Convention (see Starboard story on page 22 to read […]
Caribbean
MONARQ Group rides diverse premium spirits portfolio to Latin American success
The Latin American market continues to demonstrate strong momentum for MONARQ Group, particularly within beer as well as the premium and super-premium spirits segments. MONARQ Regional Director Latin America Conrado Perez tells TMI that MONARQ’s portfolio benefits from a strong balance between established volume drivers and emerging premium innovations. “Heineken and Peroni continue to provide […]
DISC focuses on Caribbean distribution and grows premium portfolio of powerhouse brands
Juan Gentile’s Distribution Spirits Company (DISC) continues to experience strong growth across the Americas, with the Caribbean remaining the core driver of its business and premium spirits portfolio leading the momentum. “80% of our business is in the Caribbean, with all brands supplied from our FTZ warehouse in Miami. Our power brands, including The Macallan, […]
Essence Corp launches Fenty Beauty in Guyana through Glamour Beauty
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty has officially launched in Guyana through local retailer Glamour Beauty, adding the 13th Caribbean market to the brand’s growing regional presence. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty officially launched in Guyana on March 28, bringing the superstar’s flagship cosmetics and skincare brand to the South American country for the first time through a partnership with […]
Blue Caterpillar brings expertise to appeal to cruise and Caribbean
Boutique spirits distributor Blue Caterpillar has been growing its footprint across all the geographies and markets it handles since it was founded in 2021 by well-known travel retail executives Michael Gebrael and Christoph Henkel. And it has no plans to slow down any time soon. The Blue Caterpillar founders say that the company has evolved […]
ACTIUM’s steady growth marks $100 million milestone in Travel Retail Americas beauty and luxury
Step by step, with strategic focus on specific categories and segments, the ACTIUM group has grown into one of the largest beauty distributors in the Americas. From its beginnings as a beverage agent in 2004, then its move into luxury retail, its entry into beauty, and finally the expansion of the L’Oréal portfolio in the […]
Exquisite Clive Christian Perfumes launch in the Caribbean travel retail through luxury event at Penha in Grand Cayman
Iconic fragrance distribution company Marivi launched the exquisite Clive Christian Perfume collection at a gala event with Penha in Grand Cayman in March. This marks the first time that these fine British fragrances, considered some of the most luxurious in the world, are available in travel retail in the Caribbean. The company will be announcing […]
DISC activates Ian Macleod whisky brands in key airport and cruise locations
Distribution Spirits Company (DISC) has mounted major activations for the Ian Macleod whisky portfolio in U.S. airports and the luxury cruise market this summer. With the success of these activations, DISC founder Juan Gentile remains optimistic about both the short and long term prospects for the future. “Although the industry is currently experiencing some slowdown, […]
Raymond Kattoura: Pioneering duty free entrepreneur helped shape Caribbean luxury market
One on One with Raymond Kattoura One year after Buenos Aires-based Perfumerias Rouge announced it was expanding into the Caribbean and launched its first stores in Grand Cayman in July of 2015, the aggressively growing company audaciously forecast that it was on track to deliver 15 stores within two years. A water-front perfumery in St. Thomas, an […]
Dominican Republic sets new tourism arrivals record
The Dominican Republic is on track to shatter its tourism records this year, welcoming more than 6.1 million visitors (6,145,008) in the first half of 2025. Tourism Minister David Collado predicts a year-end total of 12 million arrivals. The first-semester tally marks a 3% increase over the same period last year, representing an addi-tional 185,166 […]
Appleton Estate unveils elevated Montego Bay boutique
Campari Group Global Travel Retail (GTR) has unveiled a refreshed, elevated Appleton Estate boutique experience at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Designed to immerse travelers in the story of one of Jamaica’s most iconic rums, the boutique reflects the brand’s mission to lead the premium dark rum category through craft, provenance, and exclusivity, […]
The Boolchand Group debuts HEYDUDE in the Caribbean with new store in Aruba
The Boolchand Grouphas officially opened the doors to its first HEYDUDE footwear store in Aruba, marking a significant expansion milestone for the lifestyle footwear brand. The Aruba opening, which took place last week, positions the longstanding Caribbean-based company as a key player in regional retail innovation. With over 90 years of industry experience, The Boolchand […]
Fenty Beauty’s march across the Caribbean reaches St. Lucia and St. Thomas
Essence Corp has opened its 20th Fenty Beauty location in the Caribbean on June 7th, marking a significant mile-stone in the brand’s regional expansion. This latest launch, in partnership with Avolta, is located at Castries Duty Free in St. Lucia and represents the fourth Fenty Beauty location opened with Avolta, following the initial launch in Barbados […]
Carnival signs contracts with 26 Bahamian business owners to operate at Celebration Key
Carnival Corporation has signed the first set of contracts with 26 Bahamian companies that will be operating retail and food and beverage outlets at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama. Set to open this July, the $600 million world-class Celebration Key cruise destination will initially bring more than two million guests a year to the island […]
Tairo brings Sabrina Carpenter fragrances to Mexico & the Caribbean
Tairo Group, in partnership with Scent Beauty, has launched the Sabrina Carpenter fragrances in Mexico and the Caribbean’s local and travel retail markets. This expansion marks a major milestone, bringing the star’s signature scents to a wider audience. A singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion icon, Sabrina Carpenter has a worldwide fan base. With gold-certified hits, […]
