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 […]
Travel Retail
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 […]
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 […]
TFWA reveals “New Era of Innovation” theme of reimagined Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference for 2026
TFWA says that it is set to redefine the future of travel retail with the launch of a completely reimagined TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 2026, taking place in Singapore from May 10-14. Designed to inspire, connect, and elevate the industry, the new edition introduces concepts that expand both the business and creative potential […]
Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 27 No. 1
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, […]
IAADFS & ‘KickCancerThon’: Uniting the global travel retail Industry to fight Cancer
The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) today announced that it is formally partnering with GO2 for Lung Cancer to participate in a landmark fundraiser that embraces the spirit of the KickCancerThon. KickCancerThon, a global movement to raise funds to fight cancer, and raise awareness while fostering a sense of global unity, […]
3Sixty Duty Free announces Gary Cavanagh as new president of operations
3Sixty Duty Free has appointed Gary Cavanagh as President of Operations, effective January 5, 2026. Gary will succeed Alexander (Alex) Anson-Esparza, who has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2019 and will be leaving the company at the end of the year for personal reasons. Previously holding senior executive roles with The Nuance Group, Dufry, and Gebr. […]
Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 26 No. 47
The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here Greetings to all our readers around the world. We hope that you are all getting ready for a joyful Holiday. In today’s issue of Travel Markets Insider we start with more major news from airport operator ASUR. The Mexico-based company has completed […]
Maison Martell celebrates Year of the Horse with limited editions supported with a 360 campaign
In celebration of Chinese New Year, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail (PR GTR) and Maison Martell have launched a range of limited edition bottles and gift boxes, including three travel exclusives. The Year of the Horse launches are supported by an omnichannel masterbrand campaign and multiple GTR activations across key locations in Asia-Pacific and the […]
Sarah Branquinho elected new TFWA President
TFWA today announces that Sarah Branquinho has been elected President of Tax Free World Association following a vote by the TFWA Management Committee. She succeeds Philippe Margueritte, who held the role for the past year. A highly respected and long-standing figure within global duty free and travel retail, Branquinho brings decades of industry leadership, advocacy, and commercial expertise to the […]
SKYdeals expands its Shoppertainment e-commerce platform beyond aviation
Travel retail e-commerce platform SKYdeals is taking its shoppertainment expertise beyond the aircraft cabin. After five years testing and refining its platform with Air France, Lufthansa Group, Etihad Airways, and La Compagnie, where it is g rowing its presence on U.S.-bound routes, SKYdeals now offers its platform to the entire travel retail ecosystem: airports, cruise […]
