“But the UK is a non-EU country,” complains Dermot. “Doesn’t matter. We’re not allowed to sell duty free to UK-bound travellers. Now if you were flying to Ethiopia you’d be fine, mind.”
Blog
Airports
Waxing lyrical about a 14 year-old candle-maker at Shannon Duty Free
There’s a new supplier in travel retail, and surely the world’s youngest. Meet Evan Quaid, Irish candlemaker and entrepreneur extraordinaire.
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Events
The smiling face of King Kreol
I doubt I have ever seen Lal without a broad smile on his face. In fact he may qualify as travel retail’s most effervescent character.
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Events
The young man and the sea: How a Kiwi created transatlantic history
After a 70 day, 19 hours and 37 minutes journey from the Canary Islands, a young Kiwi makes land in Antigua. Never has The Moodie Davitt Report been prouder to sponsor a fund-raising project.
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Events
Dubai Duty Free serves up a winner
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin told me that the media exposure from two weeks of tennis last year was worth US$920 million.
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Airports
Move over Dubai International. Welcome DXB
“Airports are not just about numbers. They are about the hearts and minds of every single person who comes through our doors every day.”
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Airports
From Cannabis oil to customised watches to four-letter words: Welcome to a brave Nous world
How was it that I felt confident enough to take my cannabis oil home? Simple. It’s been stripped of the principal psychoactive constituent (the THC) and is every bit as legal as carrying a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black or 200 Marlboro Lites.
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Events
Out alone in the Atplastic Ocean
As a sector, travel retail is a serial offender. One that is contributing every day to the Atlantic turning into the Atplastic.
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Airports
The forgetfulness of the long-distance writer
t’s a lovely traditional old hotel with an elevator that looks as though it was built in the 19th century but which might take until the 22nd century to get you to your floor.
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Airports
From Punta Cana to Panama
This week The Moodie Davitt Report has a different interim bureau almost every day, as our roving takes us around the Caribbean, Central America and the USA. We’re making a whirlwind tour of some of Duty Free Americas’ (DFA) most important airport sites in the region, and spending time with owners the Falic family in
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Airports
Creating a new kind of ATV at Hong Kong Airport
“Of course. Come in.” He had the smile of a man who knew his ATV (average trim value) was about to soar.
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Miscellaneous
Filipino flair and Chinese spice: Viewing travel retail through a different prism
People often ask me where I see the next big opportunity in travel retail. Which market? Which consumers? Which categories? Three days in the Philippines has helped shape my answers. Except I wouldn’t say ‘next’ opportunity. It’s here. It’s now. It’s happening.
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Airports
Setting new standards in Cebu
Chinese tourism is booming and with it travel retail is on the up and up. But it’s not just about international tourism. Domestic travel, both by locals and foreigners, is also booming across this spectacularly diverse nation.



