The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here
Even as the Omnicron variant of the coronavirus threatens Holiday travel plans, in the U.S. the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened just under 21 million travelers during the 10-day Thanksgiving holiday and expects high travel volumes into December, nearing pre-pandemic levels. As I personally flew between Florida and New York City over the Thanksgiving weekend and again last week, I am very happy to report that my experience was smooth, safe and on-time.
With air travel in mind, this week’s lead story is an update on the massive new 2.4 million square-foot rebuild of a New Terminal One at J.K. Kennedy International Airport, which will cover the sites currently occupied by Terminals 1, 2 and 3. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) announced that the contract has been revised due to post-pandemic challenges, to extend the lease term by ten-years and to build in phases, subject to international traffic levels. See full details and renderings of the beautiful new facility that is scheduled to begin construction in mid-2022 on pages 1-2.
In another positive development, Miami International Airport reports that November was its first month of growth since February of 2020, up six percent from the same month in 2019. Page 3.
TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING
The Duty Free World Council relaunched its online Academy this week. The first offering is a free-of-charge training course based on the Council’s Code of Conduct for the Responsible Sale of Confectionery, Chocolate and Biscuits. Page 3.
As the demand for easy and contactless shopping continues to grow, key retailers are introducing a range of exciting new technologies to accommodate these changing customer preferences.
Hudson expands its digital offerings, and is now the first retailer in the travel industry to offer Amazon’s palm recognition service, Amazon One. Amazon One is now available at Hudson Nonstop – powered by Just Walk Out technology – at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). Page 3.
Servy and Inflyter have formed a strategic partnership to offer platform that combines retail and F&B airport digital shopping experience. Page 4
HMSHost has partnered with eight high-traffic international airports to help eliminate food and beverage lines at the airport with the installation of 60 Mashgin Touchless Self-Checkout Systems. The AI-powered scan-and-go systems instantly ring up food and beverage items, offering travelers an expedited checkout process in as little as 10 seconds. Page 4.
The European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) has partnered with PI Insight and ForwardKeys to relaunch its ETRC Business Performance Index at the upcoming virtual ETRC Business Forum on January 27. Page 4.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
CONFECTIONERY LEADERS SPUR INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) announces path to reach goal to deliver food in 50% of all TR shopping baskets. Using the newly developed model named VERSE (Value, Engagement, Regeneration, Sense of Place and Execution), NITR general manager Stewart Dryburgh outlined a plan to put food in 50% of all travel retail baskets by 2030. Page 5.
Listen to Stewart’s eloquent argument in support of this model to build food into the #1 category in travel retail here.
Mondelez WTR underlines commitment to sustainability and innovation and goes carbon neutral with Cannes stand. Page 6.
PEOPLE
The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Umair Ansari as Vice President and General Manager, Travel Retail Europe, Middle East and Africa (TR EMA), effective January 1, 2022. Page 6.
Chanel has announced the appointment of Leena Nair as its global chief executive officer. Nair has spent 30 years at Unilever Plc, and is currently chief human resources officer. Page 6.
