The Moodie Report, still reeling from the post-Cannes lurgy, is in Abu Dhabi for the first-ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While, health permitting, we plan to take in the big race itself, the main reason for our visit is to look at the way Diageo Global Travel & Middle East (GTME), DFS and Abu Dhabi
Airlines
A taste for the finer things in life (and Switzerland)
Another day, another early start. Another visit to my second home, London Heathrow Airport. I’m on my way to Zürich, Switzerland to see a much talked-about ‘Trinity’-style ‘Taste of Switzerland’ promotion involving airport, brands and retailer. Cursed with a head cold that half of the delegates to the Cannes show seem to have returned with, London’s
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Miscellaneous
Reflections on TFWA World Exhibition 2009
TFWA World Exhibition 2009 was an event marked by profound contrasts, and dominated by two key moments – one tragic, one inspirational. Against the backdrop of the worst global economic crisis in the industry’s history, the organizers understandably entered the week with feelings of considerable trepidation. The Moodie Report had been in the same space
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Events
Lots of miles – but not enough smiles
Miles for Smiles in Dubai is now just 27 days away. Training schedules have been thrown into chaos by the inevitable late nights and excess consumption of last week’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes and earlier boasts about reduced times in this second travel retail 10k ‘fun run’ event are having to be hastily revised.
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Miscellaneous
The harps to hell
It’s every conference delegate’s – and speaker’s – nightmare. Yes, the dreaded ring of the cell phone, inadvertently left on despite the organisers’ warnings. Such a fate befell The Moodie Report at Monday’s opening conference to TFWA World Exhibition. Rushing into the hall about one minute before proceedings began, a certain Publisher took his seat
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Miscellaneous
Crocs adds smiles in Cannes
A lot of children will be smiling as a result of a great initiative by footwear brand Crocs at TFWA World Exhibition. The company decided to mark its presence in Cannes (at the Majestic Hotel – it hopes to secure an official stand next year) by raising funds for cleft charity The Smile Train. Crocs offered
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Events
Singing the (praises of) Blues in Cannes
As tastings go, they don’t get much better than a vertical sampling of Johnnie Walker Blue Label during TFWA World Exhibition. The opportunity to taste not only the original Johnnie Walker Blue Label but also King George V Limited Edition and the latest extension to the range, The John Walker (above), saw a who’s who of the
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Miscellaneous
Grant’s: an epic 100-year journey
Grant’s 25yo Scotch whisky – a new travel retail exclusive – alongside the travel bag of Charles Gordon, who left on his epic round-the-world journey to spread the Grant’s message 100 years ago this month Some of the greatest brand stories this industry can boast come from the history and heritage of Scotch whisky. And within
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People
Farewell to Lars
Out through the fields and the woods And over the walls I have wended; I have climbed the hills of view And looked at the world and descended; I have come by the highway home, And lo, it is ended. – Robert Frost, Reluctance The loss of Lars Johansson, that giant-hearted, exuberant, passionate, loving Swedish
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Miscellaneous
Engaging the consumer in the air
Clive Humby: “engage the consumer” inflight “Ensure you remain relevant, and engage the consumer.” That was the key message from Clive Humby, Chairman of retail consultancy DunnHumby, at this morning’s Airline Workshop, held at The Scene venue in Cannes. Humby underlined just how airline retailers need to learn lessons from the best High Street retailers and translate
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Events
Sunglasses – Time to Shine
This morning in Cannes saw an outstanding initiative by eyewear giant Luxottica, which hosted a category management workshop on sunglasses dubbed ‘Sunglasses – Time to Shine”. Around 100 buyers and other retail executives packed the room at the Majestic Hotel to hear Global Travel Retail Director Francis Gros (above) deliver a compelling category-driven presentation on
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Miscellaneous
JTI’s joyous decade
JTI Regional President Fadoul Pekhazis welcomes guests to the company’s tenth anniversary celebration Leading tobacco group JT International (JTI) celebrated its tenth anniversary with a hugely entertaining gala dinner at The Martinez Hotel on Monday night – an event that attracted a stellar cast of leading travel retailers from around the world. Many of JTI’s
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Events
When rarity is perfection
“When man and nature work together to create great things, the rewards may sometimes exceed all expectations.” The elegant black invitation card from Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail promised much. The evening delivered so much more. Last night in the wonderful Château de La Napoule outside Cannes, an exquisite Cognac was unveiled to the world.