Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 16 No. 33

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Breaking News: BEAM SUNTORY COMPLETES INTEGRATION OF SUNTORY SPIRITS OPERATIONS

As we go to press, Beam Suntory Inc. today announces that it has completed the organizational integration of Suntory Holdings’ spirits businesses. According to Matt Shattock, chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory, the integration of Suntory’s spirits businesses welcomes more than 1,000 new “team members” to the Beam Suntory family, and makes it the world’s #3 premium spirits company.

Basically, the company has separated the Japan spirits business from Suntory’s beer business in Japan, merging it into Beam Suntory. The Japan spirits business is now one of Beam Suntory’s four operating regions, alongside North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific/South America (APSA).

Second, Suntory’s international spirits operations are now part of the Beam Suntory family, with management reporting directly to Beam Suntory. The businesses integrated into Beam Suntory include Morrison Bowmore Distillers in Scotland, Mozart Distillerie in Austria, Louis Royer in France, Suntory Mexicana, Suntory (Aust) in Australia and Suntory Taiwan. More details to come as they become available.

In a news-filled issue, Dufry continues to make headlines and grow the company, most recently adding the Denver Duty Free concession to its North American portfolio. Page 1.

Looking south, the Mexican government revealed its plans for the “revolutionary” new $9.2 billion airport it will be building for Mexico City next year. The soaring design is by British architect Lord Norman Foster and Mexico’s Fernando Romero. Page 1.

In more airport news, United Airlines has awarded OTG Management the dining and retail concession contract for its Terminal C hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Page 4.

Canada’s airport duty free sales continue their double digit surge, according to the August figures from the Canadian Border Services Agency, although sales in the land border stores remain basically flat. Page 1.

PEOPLE NEWS. L’OrĂ©al Luxe promotes Barbara Lavernos to an executive vice-president position and names Vincent Boinay to replace her as head of Travel Retail. Onboard Media‘s dynamic president Sarah Beth Reno is leaving the company after nearly 20 years to join Carnival Cruise Lines as vp-entertainment.

Brown-Forman Global Travel Retail will pay tribute in Cannes to its beloved former colleague Patrick Moran, who passed away in May. Details on page 2.

SUPPLY SIDE-SPIRITS:
IWSR reports first decline in duty free sales volume in a region in five years-with spirit sales in former growth leader Asia Pacific falling by more than 4% in 2013 over 2012. The Americas post the highest growth, up 4.2%. Full story on page 3.

IWSR also reports that Brown-Forman brands Jack Daniel’s and Finlandia recorded the fastest growth among the top 10 brands in TR last year, as Johnnie Walker holds onto the top spot, with a strong lead over #2 Absolut.

Travel retail favorite DANZKA Vodka launches DANZKA Vodka Apple, its first new flavor in 10 years. Taste it in Cannes at the booth at Green Village H52. Page 3.