Here we go again. It’s time for the (gulp) second Moodie Multi-National Marathon, in support of Hand in Hand for Haiti. Somebody warn the staff at my gym. I think three of them are still having therapy after trying to train me for last year’s event. The others have probably left. Running Mann goes the
Blog
Airports
A butterfly takes flight
In the parlance of Facebook – ‘like’. World Duty Free Group’s new logo and corporate identity unveiled this morning, features what the company calls a “two-colour infinity icon”. The company notes: “The flexible, sweeping lines within the logo are inspired by the architecture of airport environments; whilst the rounded shapes and ‘organic’ nature of the
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Airports
Culture, tradition and experience at Incheon Airport
At last week’s Trinity Forum in Seoul, Incheon International Airport Corporation President & CEO CW Lee jokingly implored all delegates to buy in his shops on their way home. To laughter, he noted during the Opening Cocktail that all delegates’ names were known and that he would be checking to see who had bought duty
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Miscellaneous
Cappell turns tears to Smiles after Baggies bonanza
The Trinity Forum 2012 provided many memorable moments, inside and outside the conference hall. Readers will forgive this writer for honing in on a particular personal highlight, which took place thousands of miles from the conference venue in Seoul. On Sunday February 12, my beloved West Bromwich Albion FC – alias the Baggies – travelled
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Miscellaneous
Magnificent memories from the Land of the Morning Calm
Writing this at 35,000 feet in the air somewhere over the Baltic Sea en route from Seoul to London, I’m still trying to take in the incredible experience of the past few days at The Trinity Forum. How does one even begin to sum up the hospitality and the warmth, the grace, courtesy, professionalism
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People
Catching up with Seoul’s retail dynamos
It’s sunny but cold here in Seoul, as we move towards kick-off time for the 2012 Trinity Forum that begins tonight with the traditional Opening Cocktail. On Friday I took a break from preparations for the event to catch up with three retailing powerhouses – Lotte Duty Free, Korean Air and The Shilla Duty Free.
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People
YS Choi – still a champion
As an amateur boxer he fought 100 times (winning 95) and never got knocked down. In business and in life YS Choi, who retired last week from his post as President of Lotte Duty Free, has always shown the same indomitable spirit. Here in Seoul the local travel retail industry is still reeling from Mr
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Events
See you in Seoul
The Moodie Report Seoul Bureau is open for business. I’ve arrived at the Grand Hyatt, where I will be joined by many industry colleagues over coming days. This year’s Trinity Forum has attracted over 500 delegates, an incredible number, with a very encouraging mix of airports, retailers and other service providers, and brands. This morning
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Events
Trinity 2012 here we come
I’ve arrived in Korea for the 2012 Trinity Forum, via an excellent Asiana Airlines flight from Heathrow. A warning to all delegates who are flying in this weekend – wrap up warm. It’s cold, very cold here, about 6 degrees below zero and it might dip further in coming days. But don’t worry. The Korean
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People
Duty free’s founding father brings more smiles to the world
“I think that duty free shops have a great part to play in the world because they are an extraordinary kind of world link… a universal gesture at airports”– Dr Brendan O’Regan, founder of the airport duty free business “A billion stars go spinning through the night, Blazing high above your head. But in you
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Miscellaneous
Polishing up my act with Elemis
I didn’t think anything short of Johnny Depp could persuade me to take off my clothes in the middle of Mayfair during this current Arctic snap, but when Elemis invited me to experience its new Total Face & Body Polish (to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its flagship Day-Spa), frankly, I couldn’t disrobe fast enough.
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Airports
Something for everyone at Suvarnabhumi
I’d forgotten just how strong and diverse the King Power International Group retail offer at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport was. But transiting through the airport last night its vibrancy was immediately apparent. It’s a vast, sprawling retail complex, punctuated with a wide range of individual boutiques and generic duty free stores, many replicated due to the
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Airports
Swift Swiss reaction by SSP
Remember my recent Blog on the lack of Swiss wine at Zürich Airport’s acclaimed Center Bar, run by SSP (named the world’s best airport bar at The Moodie Report’s inaugural Airport Food & Beverage Awards last year)? While applauding the environment and atmosphere, I bemoaned the fact that I could not order a glass of