I’m flying at 35,000 feet, somewhere between Omsk and my old haunt of Novosibirsk. I’m bound for Hong Kong and the launch of an extraordinary single malt whisky that, like me, has been around for a long, long time, but which unlike me is reputed to still be in impeccable condition. I won’t reveal too
Blog
Miscellaneous
A cracking time in California with Wonderful Pistachios
My sanity has been questioned many times over the years – not least, on occasion, by myself – so the nut job jokes came thick and fast when I accepted an invitation from Wonderful Pistachios to visit (via private jet!) parent company Paramount Farms’ plantation and processing facility in Lost Hills, California, prior to this
Read More
Miscellaneous
BOD out, FOC in; the ‘failed’ Trinity concept; and nonsensical awards
For personal reasons I was unable to attend the annual Duty Free Show of the Americas in Orlando this week but by all accounts (and certainly those from the seven Moodie team members there) it was again a great success. Pancho Motta and his IAADFS board and Michael Payne are collectively a class act. I will
Read More
Miscellaneous
An encounter with a stranger – bringing the tragedy of flight MH370 home
As relatives, loved ones and colleagues desperately seek news of the fate of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, a poignant tale has emerged of an encounter by a JR/Duty Free employee at Perth Airport, Australia, with one of the passengers on the missing plane. The story comes from Radio station ABC Perth and I urge you
Read More
Miscellaneous
Pregnancy lingerie? Bit of a push, even if you are a supermodel
If I ever were to become pregnant (no Mum and Dad, I’m not announcing it this way), I hope I manage to look even half as effortlessly chic as Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova (above), writes Brands Editor Sarah Lysecki. While I may not possess her svelte 34-24-34, 5 foot 9 inch frame, I think I
Read More
Miscellaneous
Finding paradise in a troubled world
I think I’m jinxed… If losing my UK passport somewhere in/between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok wasn’t bad enough, I have also found myself sans suitcase in first Bangkok and then Krabi since I began a short but long-promised ‘post-Trinity Forum’ holiday on the beautiful southwest coast of Thailand. This time [message to my long-suffering, disbelieving,
Read More
Miscellaneous
Passport-less, hopeless, Chanel-less…
Good morning Ladies & Gentlemen and welcome to the 2014 Trinity Forum. My name is Martin Moodie, Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report and I’m delighted to be here with you in the great city of Bangkok… Hold on… I am in Bangkok, but where is everyone else? After a brilliant onboard experience with
Read More
Miscellaneous
The Moodie Blog: Live from 35,000 feet onboard Etihad Airways
Welcome to The Moodie Report Interim Etihad Airways Bureau. As I begin this Blog I am 803 miles out of London, en route to Abu Dhabi, Bangkok and Hong Kong. We’re flying at 35,000 feet at a ground speed of 909k per hour. And I, dear readers, am blogging live. It’s the first time I’ve
Read More
Miscellaneous
Resurgent England put boot into Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes
A beautiful spring Saturday in south-west London, wonderful company for the afternoon, the spectacle of two teams brimming with attacking intent, plus some great scores. Not much to complain about really…well, apart from the result. Over the past decade we Ireland fans have grown used to beating England both in London and at home in
Read More
Miscellaneous
Readers’ competition results and why Irish eyes weren’t smiling
Our competition asking readers to pick the result of Saturday’s rugby international between Ireland and England attracted a record number of entries, particularly from travel retail’s sizeable Irish contingent. To a man and woman, the latter all chose Ireland to win, as well as supplying some magnificent replies (some of them repeatable) to our two
Read More
Miscellaneous
Ireland v England rugby: Win US$1 million and the world’s most exclusive DVD!
This weekend’s rugby showdown between age-old rivals England and Ireland has all the makings of a classic. Can unbeaten Ireland continue on its winning ways and beat the auld enemy? Can England, so soundly beaten by the All Blacks in the Autumn series, bounce back from a narrow loss against the French (backed up by
Read More
Miscellaneous
Hold the front page! (Until the fourth model graces the catwalk)
A ringside seat: The Moodie Report had the pleasure of seeing the Matthew Williamson AW14 collection first-hand In over a decade of experience as a technology, beauty and travel retail writer, I’ve come across (and respected) many an embargo, writes Brands Editor Sarah Lysecki. But I’d never heard of the ‘fourth runway model embargo’ until
Read More
Miscellaneous
‘Tearing up the rule book’: Abu Dhabi’s big Trinity statement
Turning a new page: Abu Dhabi Airports’ evocative display of how traditional tender convention should be consigned to the shredder Last Sunday, 9 February, may yet come to be seen as a milestone day in our industry’s evolution. Then, as it hosted the cream of the world’s travel retailers and many leading brand owners to