Airports

Emotion and engagement at Taoyuan International

Classic, colourful, quirky: we’ve championed the virtues of Taiwan Taoyuan International before, but a visit here this week reminds me just what a compelling experience this great airport can be. I’m here on a short trip – little more than 48 hours – to attend the official opening of The Macallan’s striking new store in

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Events

Muguruza captures French hearts with unlikely triumph

The moment of victory, captured on the giant screens around the arena, will stay with those of us who were there for a long time. Garbine Muguruza’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open in disbelief as she realised that she had won the French Open, defeating arguably the greatest of all women’s tennis champions,

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Miscellaneous

The West’s Awake as Connacht dreams come true

As Leicester City’s wonderful story of triumph in the English Premier League was taking shape over the past nine months, another unlikely tale of an underdog made good was unfolding in the world of European rugby. And it reached its climax on Saturday night last. Then, Connacht – the oft-forgotten fourth Irish province behind Leinster,

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Miscellaneous

A prayer to the golfing gods at the K Club

My throat is dry, my stomach is doing flips and I can’t feel my legs. Worse, I can’t keep a firm grip on the golf club that’s shaking in my hands and the ball sitting on the tee three feet away looks no bigger than a tiny white marble. “Go on, you just need one good

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Airports

Stirred (and shaken) in India

In the few hours since I stepped off the plane from Heathrow, I have already had the senses well stirred (and occasionally shaken), reminding me that there is nowhere else on earth like India, this country of stunning contrasts.

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Miscellaneous

Singing a new song with Aigner

The recent story of German leathergoods brand Aigner is one of change and renewal. From being a name that was respected by an older generation of (mainly German) consumers, under the guidance of CEO Sybille Schoen it has added edge and recognition among a demographic under 40, with the Middle East and Asia now key

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Miscellaneous

A new face for destination retailing in Warsaw

Premium Food Gate: The clunky name doesn’t give much away but that makes a visit to this superb destination store at Warsaw Chopin Airport all the more surprising. I was in Poland last week for the unveiling of Lagardère Travel Retail’s new commercial operations – straddling duty free & luxury, news & convenience (which the

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Miscellaneous

Taking the independent route at JFK T4

The broad, open spaces of the Retail Hall at the new-look JFK Terminal 4 As the only independent operator of an airport terminal in the USA, JFKIAT is used to thinking differently. That’s underlined by the transformation of Terminal 4 at New York JFK – a project where phase one opened in May 2013 and

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Miscellaneous

Heathrow T2: Making a statement about airport F&B

It’s just over two months since the opening of London Heathrow Terminal 2 : The Queen’s Terminal, and the transition continues for many of the carriers that will eventually use the new facility. The stores and restaurants at T2 won’t reach their full trading potential probably until 2015, as airline capacity builds and as passengers

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