The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here
We begin today’s issue of Travel Markets Insider with the very sad news of the passing of yet another travel retail figure. Doug Andrews, who held positions at companies ranging from Giorgio Beverly Hills to Movado, died two weeks ago after a tragic motorcycle accident.
Michael and I send our deepest condolences to Angelica, his son Christopher, and the rest of the Andrews family. See funeral details on page 1.
There is so much news before the U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday that we are sharing some breaking stories from the TMI website that did not make it into this week’s newsletter due to lack of space.
Please click on the links to see the stories.
Avolta wins two travel retail and F&B 10-year contracts at Washington Dulles International Airport
MIA launches the largest single deployment of automated passport screening in the U.S.
PIT. Back to the newsletter, our lead story of the week is the opening of the new $1.7 billion, 811,000 sq. ft. terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport, which is expected to totally transform the outdated airport. Page 1.
WH Smith. In a very serious development for travel retailer WH Smith, company CEO Carl Cowling announced that he is stepping down following accounting inconsistencies in the North American division that overstated earnings by millions of dollars. Cowlings’ decision comes after an independent Deloitte review. See further details on page 2.
BEAUTY
In some promising news for the industry, research agency Circana reports that the U.S. Beauty industry – such a trend-setter in the Americas – posted a very positive third quarter, especially in fragrance. Read the story on page 2.
Cosmoprof North America has announced that the Miami event will return to the Miami Convention Center for the third time this coming January. Page 2.
Spanish beauty company PyD takes a major step in its development, launching a new business unit through the acquisition of skincare brand Twelve Beauty. Page 5.
AT THE PONT OF SALE: CONFECTIONERY
Travel retail confectionery companies are stepping up their efforts to get more shoppers into airport duty free stores, initiating some of the most compelling, exciting and engaging activations to date.
Nestle and KITKAT have partnered with Avolta to unveil two dedicated Grand Prix F1 spaces in Sao Paulo airport. Page 4.
Ghirardelli Chocolate and DFS celebrate California with an iconic San Francisco Cable Car HPP at LAX. Page 5.
Lindt’s award-winning Dubai Style Chocolate celebrates global success as sales soar past 2 million tablets in travel retail. See the stunning activations in Bogota and Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. Page 6.
IN THE TMI SPOTLIGHT: HEINEKEN
Heineken talks about its latest results across all channels and its strategies in travel retail for the coming year. Page 3.
