Bravo to Aldeasa-WDF for not only organising the first competition between shops across its UK and Spain networks but for the way in which the newly integrated retailer did it. The concept, designed to reward excellence at particular retail establishments, saw London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 and Málaga Airport pick up the respective UK and Spanish
Events
Racing down to Rio
Travel retail’s ultimate marathon man, Dubai Duty Free’s newly promoted Vice President of Operations Sean Staunton, has completed one of the industry’s truly great feats in the cause of corporate social responsibility. As revealed in an earlier Blog, Sean set out to run four marathons across four continents in four months. That’s a total of 168km,
Read More
Airports
It’s the real McCoy as champion jockey switches rides
It’s not a story we would normally run, but we loved the images so much we just had to… Heathrow Airport today announced that 16-time champion jockey AP McCoy had swapped his horse for a ride-on suitcase to compete in the first-ever ‘Trunki’ race at Heathrow to launch the airport’s programme of summer activities.
Read More
Airlines
Getting the royal (duty free) treatment
Now this just could start a trend… The Daily Mail Online reported this week that Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge were given £200 in duty free vouchers by British Airways as compensation after their inflight entertainment system failed en route back from the US. The recently wed royal pairing
Read More
Miscellaneous
Christmas Crackers
Christmas seems to start earlier every year – but 20 July is something of a personal best for this writer, who earlier today managed to tap into a little festive spirit, courtesy of the Elemis and Mandara Spa Christmas Collection previews, in London. A selection of Christmas sets from the Elemis brand The Elemis Day
Read More
People
No midlife crisis for Enchong
Enchong Formoso rocks! You read it here first. The Moodie Report knows so because we heard the Duty Free Philippines boss’s band, Midlife Crisis, play in downtown Manila last night. Enchong (pictured left below) plays rhythm guitar and both back-up and lead vocals in the band, drawn from a bunch of professional executives, celebrities
Read More
Miscellaneous
Feasting in France with Valrhona
The Moodie Report has been fortunate enough to feast in France this week, courtesy of luxury confiserie house Valrhona. This writer greatly enjoyed the fabulous hospitality of Eric Carlier and his team, experiencing not just a full immersion into the Varhona universe, but also an amazing voyage gastronomique of the wider Tain L’Hermitage region, where
Read More
Miscellaneous
Fiesta time in Manila
The Moodie Report’s Manila bureau is in full operation this week as I spend a few days talking to key stakeholders in the Philippines’ travel retail and tourism industry. From my 24th floor room at the New World hotel, I look out each morning over this sprawling city of contrasts, said to be the most
Read More
Airports
The land of the Arrivals duty free phenomenon
I’ve arrived in Manila, home to the world’s most important duty free Arrivals shopping business. From the moment you enter Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the signage for Duty Free Philippines’s (DFP) Fiesta Shopping Mall is everywhere. The legions of Balikbayans (overseas-based Filipinos) and OFWs (overseas foreign workers) who pour through this airport every year represent
Read More
Airports
Catching up in Qatar
I’m on the road again, this time bound for Manila to meet Duty Free Philippines. I flew with Qatar Airways via Doha and was impressed by the experience. Fantastically friendly service onboard, a great choice of inflight entertainment – and one of the best duty free shopping magazines I’ve seen in a long time. Weary
Read More
Events
Sean’s epic journey continues
Travel retail’s ultimate Marathon Man, Sean Staunton, is continuing an epic endurance feat around the world. As revealed in an earlier Blog, the Dubai Duty Free Manager – Operations is running four marathons across four continents in four months. That’s a total of 168km, all for a mighty cause – to raise funds for travel
Read More
Miscellaneous
Small but perfectly formed
With peak launch/event season in full swing, The Moodie Report team is spending even more time than usual on the road – and in the air. Last week this writer passed through London City Airport en route to Milan, an experience that was efficient and enjoyable in equal measure. I’d forgotten how much I like
Read More
Airports
Arriving in style at Geneva Airport
The introduction of Arrivals duty free shops at Swiss airports – legislation permitting the concept came into effect on 1 June – is set to have a profound impact on intra-airport shopping dynamics in Europe, and possibly beyond. Not only will Swiss airports such as Geneva, Zῢrich and Basel benefit from much-enhanced revenues (remember European