Latest posts by Martin Moodie (see all)
My various Moodie Davitt Report Interim Bureaux of recent weeks have been more interim than usual. In the past three weeks I’ve set up shop in Toronto, Dublin, Moscow and Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Asia beckons next.
A spell of ten days back in London is a treat but so indeed were those days on the road, packed with experiences and encounters with amazing people.
I wrote in a recent Blog that I had arrived in Moscow for Regstaer’s annual party. In fact, the term ‘party’ sold a memorable few days short. Over the course of the ensuing three days, Regstaer’s guests (including brand partners and Dufry executives) were treated to an enthralling tour of the Kremlin; a visit to the marvellous GUM department store; a magnificent evening boat ride and dinner along the Moskva River; and an exhilarating Russian evening at the Aptypc countryside hotel just outside Moscow.
Regstaer Commercial Director Vadim Sagive and Patrón Spirits hGlobal Director, Travel Retail John Kilmartin enjoy the ride along the Moskva
For me there was a considerable bonus, the chance to visit Regstaer’s first-class (and fast-expanding) duty free and duty paid offer at Vnukovo Airport as well its multiple stores at Sheremetyevo Airport.
I include some of the most striking images below but what stood out to me was the brilliant theming of some of the duty paid shops; the real sense of localisation; the quality of the Vnukovo shop executions in particular; and the heavy Chinese influence at Sheremetyevo. I watched amazed as one couple bought six bottles of ultra-premium Russian vodka in special gift presentations, a spend worth over US$500. Every store (and there are many at Sheremetyevo, not just Regstaer’s) had plenty of Chinese shoppers, many comparing prices on their phones and then snapping up bargains.
The Russian market has bounced back this year after a dreadful 2016. With the Chinese coming in ever-greater numbers and the addition of arrivals shops next year, the future looks bright for the country’s duty free retailers.
- VNUKOVO AIRPORT DUTY PAID
2. VNUKOVO AIRPORT DUTY FREE
3. SHEREMETYEVO AIRPORT DUTY FREE
From Moscow, I landed at Heathrow late last Friday, waking early to head to George Best Belfast City Airport, en route to golf’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The organisation, marketing and hosting skills of Dubai Duty Free are well documented but this event might just see the company at its very best.
The global publicity it receives in return for its investment is tremendous but the management and staff always ensure it’s exposure of the very best kind, thanks to a rare combination of planning right down to the last detail and warm human engagement from all the Dubai Duty Free management and team. <
On the final day, as the Irish skies opened, I followed a young English golfer Matthew Southgate for his concluding round. I have written about Matthew previously (click here for an earlier Blog), whose career (and life) was threatened by a battle with testicular cancer, for which he was successfully treated.
I chose the right day. Matthew shot a brilliant 67 to finish second, his best-ever result on the European tour and a tremendous fillip to his career. Wonderful to see such a nice guy prospering.
