This morning in Cannes saw an outstanding initiative by eyewear giant Luxottica, which hosted a category management workshop on sunglasses dubbed ‘Sunglasses – Time to Shine”. Around 100 buyers and other retail executives packed the room at the Majestic Hotel to hear Global Travel Retail Director Francis Gros (above) deliver a compelling category-driven presentation on
Events
When rarity is perfection
“When man and nature work together to create great things, the rewards may sometimes exceed all expectations.” The elegant black invitation card from Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail promised much. The evening delivered so much more. Last night in the wonderful Château de La Napoule outside Cannes, an exquisite Cognac was unveiled to the world.
Read More
Events
The Challenge of Change – Investing in People and Mankind
Never at an industry conference have I been moved to tears – other than perhaps by sheer boredom. Today, thanks to a searing, visceral speech by humanitarian and singer Sir Bob Geldof, that changed. The man who first became famous for his signature song ‘I don’t like Mondays’ with The Boomtown Rats seemed to underline
Read More
Events
Famous four to the fore at Gebr Heinemann & Hugo Boss golf tournament
A high-class four-ball of (left to right) Dubai Duty Free’s Colm McLoughlin, Frey’s Clive de la Roche, L’Oréal Produits de Luxe International’s Eric Tarral and Aer Rianta International-Middle East’s John Sutcliffe won Sunday’s annual Gebr Heinemann & Hugo Boss golf tournament that precedes TFWA World Exhibition. Held at the Cannes Mandelieu course in brilliant
Read More
Events
Avec pommes frites?? Sacre bleu!
Cannes’ restaurants provide a fascinating, sometimes glorious, sometimes extortionate, often maddening range of experiences. Most long-time Cannes visitors have their well-established favourites, places where fine French cuisine can be found, across a variety of budgets to suit the occasion. Others, as numerous complaints to the TFWA organisers down the years will testify, are not so
Read More
Events
‘Where brands meet the world’
The Moodie Blog is in Cannes for the TFWA World Exhibition – the 25th anniversary of the travel retail industry’s leading trade show. As always we’ve set up our temporary French Riviera bureau at our apartment right opposite the Palais. Across from us a giant hoarding promoting the exhibition dominates the skyline, and the Moodie
Read More
Events
Heart 2 Art from TFWA as dreams come true
Take a look at each of these pictures – let your eyes linger longer than they normally would. Look at the happiness and beauty bursting from them all. They each form part of an outstanding initiative by TFWA to mark its 25th anniversary in Cannes later this month. The association has pledged €50,000 to two
Read More
Airports
Trackside to airside at Changi
What better way to wind down from the stresses – and they are considerable – of organising and moderating The Trinity Forum than a weekend of Formula 1 racing? The Moodie Report, along with half the Asia Pacific travel retail industry it seemed, headed for Singapore over the weekend to watch the Singapore Grand Prix.
Read More
Airports
Trinity reignited
The Trinity concept – and spirit – is alive and kicking. That was the unmistakable conclusion to emerge from the fifth Trinity Forum that concluded in Macau last Friday. As has been well documented, the event was postponed from its normal March slot due to the economic crisis. But as the dark shadow of gloom
Read More
Events
Miles for Smiles 2009 – you’re gonna need a quality shoe
You don’t want no stand-by pair ‘Cos these’ll take the wear and tear Made to take good care of you For that trip by road or rail For extra grip on those rocky trails You’re gonna need a quality shoe – ‘A Quality Shoe’ – Mark Knopfler Yes there’s plenty of rocky trails ahead as
Read More
Events
A blended dram that simply may never be bettered
All can be revealed. Indeed, all has been revealed. As mentioned in my last Blog, I am here in Singapore to witness a unique collaboration between a brand, a retailer, an airport and a charity. Yesterday at Singapore Changi Airport (the airport), an extraordinary new Scotch whisky blend was unveiled to the world at the
Read More
Airlines
Excitement builds in Singapore after heart-warming generosity at ARC
The Moodie Report is in Singapore, where later today a major launch involving an airport, a brand, a retailer and a charity takes place. All is embargoed for now but I can tell you the excitement is building here for what amounts to a very special launch indeed. The Moodie Report has been asked to
Read More
Airports
And the winner is…
The Moodie Report always likes to make a difference in people’s lives and it was with great pleasure – and a lot of fun – that we did exactly that at Doha International Airport on Friday. Qatar Duty Free Company, a subsidiary of the Qatar Airways group, runs a highly successful car raffle at the