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TMI’s spotlight is on Canada this week, as Canada’s Frontier Duty Free Association prepares to welcome the industry to its annual Convention in Toronto next week.
Today and tomorrow, however, members of the industry are meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil at an important conference dedicated to the Latin American border business-particularly in Brazil– organized by Latin America Duty Free Association ASUTIL, and CEFSU, the Chamber of Uruguayan border shop operators. John Gallagher will be reporting from Porto Alegre, and discusses the goals of the meeting on page 1.
Also today, Dufry reported its nine month and third quarter earnings, showing strong results, despite the lingering challenges in parts of South America. See highlights on page 2 & 5.
Looking at more numbers, in the past week Airports Council International released its August air traffic figures and its annual World Airport Traffic Report. Despite some recent moderation in traffic growth, ACI is still forecasting that global traffic should double by 2037, reaching nearly 20 billion passengers by 2040. Both stories can be found on page 1.
SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA
STRONG & FREE.
Canadian streetwear from Strong & Free Emblem is ready to take its three word affirmation all around the world, as the local brand from New Brunswick is now available in fifteen duty free locations across Canada and growing. The brand has also been nominated for an FDFA 2019 Gold Standards Award as Best New Brand of the Year. Full story on page 2.
Queenston Lewiston Duty Free expands focus on whisky and white spirits. The Niagara region store cites excellent results since renovating its store this summer, devoting more space to its best-selling spirits products. Michael Pasternak speaks with Queenston Lewiston’s Chris Foster about the redesign. Page 3.
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), has announced the finalists for the 2019 Gold Standard Awards, which will be awarded at the Imperial Gala on November 13, in Toronto, during the annual FDFA Convention. TMI presents the full listing of the finalists on page 6.
AIRPORT SERVICES
Hong Kong-based airport hospitality services pioneer Plaza Premium Group is expanding its global footprint and enhancing products across 11 international airports -including making a big push in the Americas with new lounges in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Denver International Airport in the U.S. and Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada. Read details on page 5.
SUPPLY SIDE
In a major new initiative, Gold Bar Whiskey has been named the official whiskey of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The multi-year agreement began with the 2019 season and the opening of the new Gold Bar Whiskey Bar on the main concourse of Levi’s Stadium. See page 4.
ALFA Brands has announced the addition of the first craft spirits to its portfolio, with a new partnership with Miami-based craft gin brand Prescribed Spirits, producer of its American Dry Gin and a Barrel Finished Gin, which are produced in small batches, using a 250-gallon pot still. Page 4.
Penha Duty Free has introduced its own, highly exclusive, premium rum, produced by Cihuatan of El Salvador, which will be available exclusively at Penha’s Duty Free store at Curaçao International Airport. Page 4.
Distell Global Travel Retail has announced a new distribution deal with Miami-based InnoTRI Limited (Innovation Travel Retail International) to support Distell’s development in the Americas region. Page 5.
Beam Suntory launched its new unique, super-premium bourbon Legent exclusively with Dufry in the DF &TR market (excluding Asia) in September for a 12-month period, before being rolled out across the rest of the GTR sector. Read how Legent is the “best of the East and the West,” on page 6.