The last time I saw Olivier Magne he broke my heart. The date was 1999, the location Twickenham Stadium in London. The occasion, the Rugby World Cup semi-final between France and New Zealand’s (then) supposedly invincible All Blacks. Seven minutes into the second half the match was going entirely to script. The All Blacks led
Miscellaneous
Jo Malone goes Wild
Last night, Jo Malone hosted a dinner at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, to celebrate the launch of its new feminine fragrance, Wild Bluebell. Journalists from as far afield as Australia and Japan enjoyed Bellinis and assorted hors d’oeuvres, before dining on white onion soup with lobster, wild sea bass and asparagus, and hot chocolate and
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Events
Singapore swings and slings on the Tulis’ simulated fairways
[Sunil Tuli, Susan Whelan of King Power (Thailand) and Martin Moodie] Some of the travel retail industry’s more talented and eccentric golf swings were on display in Singapore last week and The Moodie Report was on hand with a fast shutter speed camera to capture the action. The occasion was an informal introduction to the Greens
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Miscellaneous
Back in (Double) Black with Diageo
Last Thursday Diageo Global Travel & Middle East hosted a media dinner to celebrate the success of Johnnie Walker Double Black, at Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, in London. And what a dinner it was. Diageo executives gather pre-dinner in the Pomerol Room In the opulent Pomerol Room, guests enjoyed a sumptuous, specially-prepared meal, with
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People
When Martin met Martyn
Ok, he doesn’t know how to spell his first name properly, but otherwise you have to say that Mars International Travel Retail Manager UK and Ireland Martyn Westbury is a guy that gets just about everything right in this business. Not only is he one of the most respected brand executives in the UK/Ireland market
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People
If the (All Blacks) cap fits, wear it
With his trip to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup just five months away, I’m pleased to report that Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin will be suitably kitted out for the occasion. As reported in a recent Blog, the Irishman is partial to quality headwear (see pictures below), and what could be
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Events
Feeling the buzz in Singapore
[All photos: Jacques Gavard/TFWA] From the well-considered (and impeccably observed) minute of silence for the victims of the recent natural disasters in Japan, Australia and New Zealand at the opening conference to the close of exhibition trading 5p.m on Thursday, the TFWA Asia Pacific show hit just about every note perfectly. A total of 2,117
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Airlines
Korean Air unveils its latest innovation
Surely the most talked-about stand at this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition is Korean Air’s. The world’s most successful inflight retailer has created a mock-up of an aircraft in order to show off its latest innovation – the first-ever onboard duty free shop. The shop, dubbed the ‘Duty Free Showcase’, will be a feature of
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Events
The very bearable lightness of being
How fast a year goes by. I’m back in Singapore for the annual TFWA Asia Pacific show. This time last year I was awaiting the results of some preliminary medical tests, which I’d done on the eve of the show. I didn’t feel or look well, but with a fair bit of optimism and naivety
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Airports
Terminal (but not interminable) waiting at Heathrow T5
It’s just like old times. Sipping a glass of good Sauvignon Blanc in the British Airways lounge while I wait for my delayed flight to Asia. As a result of my recent illness, it’s many months since I travelled through Heathrow Terminal 5 and I’d forgotten just what a pleasant and efficient place this has
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Miscellaneous
The (Nivea) Boat That Rocked
There were 1,000 guests – from 50 different countries – onboard a specially-chartered cruise ship. There were multimedia exhibitions, presentations and interactive installations. There was cake. There was Champagne. Hell, even Rihanna showed up to perform a very exclusive gig. As birthday parties go, Nivea’s centenary celebrations were something pretty special. The Moodie Report’s Rebecca
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Events
Sean Staunton – Dubai Duty Free’s Marathon man
News reaches The Moodie Blog of an epic endurance feat in progress by Dubai Duty Free Manager – Operations Sean Staunton. Within a period of four months the popular Irishman is running four marathons across four continents. That’s a total of 168km and it’s all in a good cause – to raise funds for travel
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Airports
Olympian effort required at London Heathrow
The countdown to the London Summer Olympics of 2012 continues and the city is accelerating its preparations for the big event. With millions of visitors expected to pour into the capital I hope that WDF is planning a radical overhaul of its arrivals shops at London Heathrow Airport. I’ve always considered these among the drabbest