Taking the temperature of a vibrant regional market

The dynamism of the Nordic cruise and ferry travel retail business never fails to excite and surprise me when I travel in this region. The retail environment is different, and certainly less premium, than at most airports; and the offer is relatively narrow, based around the drivers of spirits and confectionery on most routes. Yet

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Pentalpha goes into overdrive with Help for Heroes

One of the most respected exhibition firms in travel retail is lending its support to a vital charity for UK soldiers injured in the line of duty – and the industry is being encouraged to assist. Next month three team members of Derbyshire-based Pentalpha Exhibitions and Interiors – Ian Kirk, Paul Sheldon and Andrew Lancashire

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Band on the Run strikes right chord

As the clock ticks down to The Moodie Report Great Travel Retail Educathlon (28-30 June), word is coming in of some extraordinary fund-raising efforts around the world. As reported, the 2013 event is the follow-up to the hugely successful Moodie Multi-National Marathons of the past two years, which have raised over US$650,000 across the worldwide

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Harbouring hopes of regional renewal in Hamburg

ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec greets guests to the ACI Trading Conference & Exhibition cocktail on Monday night alongside (right) host Hamburg Airport CEO Michael Eggenschwiler Hamburg, one of northern Europe’s most attractive port cities, is this week’s venue for one of the region’s key airport commercial events – the ACI Europe Trading Conference & Exhibition.

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Taking the luxury leap in China’s lower tier cities

The digital speed clock in the train carriage ticks past 303 kilometres per hour, and outside the countryside and towns of Jiangsu province in eastern China flash by. We’re heading for Zhenjiang, a Tier 3 level prefecture city, to see how luxury brands are penetrating new markets within this vast country. I’m in the company

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Jack Daniel’s turns up the brand power in Dubai

So who exactly is the man in the white shirt being mobbed for his autograph in the photo above? A rock star on a farewell tour maybe? Or a famous sportsman suddenly identified in a hotel by legions of adoring fans? Neither. In fact, it’s Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, one of the

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Vino Volo: A story of passion, pride and people

At The Moodie Report we like to champion those companies and individuals who put passion and heart into the way they run their businesses. Few do so with such commitment as the team at Vino Volo, the fast-growing US wine bar operator and retailer. Even if you’re not a wine enthusiast, you’d find it hard

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Billy Norman strikes a chord in wine review with a difference

Billy Norman welcomes guests to his wine evening Billy Norman, well known in travel retail circles for his skills as a musician and his support of industry-backed charities, has taken on a new challenge: wine reviews with a twist. With the help of some industry friends, he took his new venture to the public late

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England pour water on Irish Six Nations hopes

 The teams line up for the national anthems at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday; the scoreboard in the background shows 0-0, which was as good as things got for Ireland on the day It’s not as if a drop of rain is unexpected in these parts, but the all-day downpour that hit Dublin on Sunday was biblical even by

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In the swing with Gentleman Jack

One of the finest social days in the Middle East industry calendar hit a new milestone on 28 January, as Brown-Forman’s travel retail team hosted its tenth annual Jack Daniel’s golf tournament in Dubai. The hugely popular event attracted golfers from around the region, many of them customers of the brand owner. It took place

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Bond and Bollinger add to Schiphol’s licence to thrill

Bollinger (left) builds on the Bond theme at Schiphol Over the past three years Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s reputation as one of Europe’s most consumer-friendly airports has risen dramatically. That’s partly on the back of Schiphol Group’s investment in infrastructure – which continues soon with a partial redevelopment of Lounge 1 and a planned overhaul of Lounge

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Camel connoisseurs

Translated from the Arabic, ‘Al Nassma’ means ‘the refreshing breeze from the desert’. Today the UAE company that bears the same name wants to blow a wind of change through the premium chocolate category – with the aid of its 3,000-strong herd of camels. A visit to Al Nassma’s premises is an eye-opening experience for the

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Championing Chambord

From Cannes to the Loire Valley might seem a short hop from south to north through France, but for those of us who made the trip at the end of TFWA World Exhibition last week, the contrasts could hardly have been sharper. The balmy weather of the French Riviera was replaced by late autumnal chill,

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