The Moodie BLOG’s epic journey as the official chronicler of the global duty free launch of Chivas Regal 25yo reached its final destination this morning – Singapore Changi Airport. After a numbing 22-hour journey from New York JFK (site of the Americas launch on Saturday) via Frankfurt, Pernod Ricard Asia Travel Retail boss Alexandre Ricard,
Airlines
A Regal journey
This Moodie BLOG comes to you from the lounge at Frankfurt Airport, 7 hours into a unique travel retail journey from New York JFK Airport to Singapore Changi. I’m travelling with the Pernod Ricard Asia travel retail team, Managing Director Alexandre Ricard and two of his senior team, Patrick Castanier and Gloria Song. And one
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Events
The Eagle has landed
Many delegates at next month’s Cannes show will be turning up with a bad case of fever. No, not avian flu or dengue, but rugby fever. The Saturday preceding the exhibition – the day of arrival for many visitors – is also the day (or night) of the Rugby World Cup final, to be played
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Miscellaneous
The man in the chocolate suit
Some travel retail executives really live their job. But not many actually wear it. A notable exception is David Spillane, ebullient Irishman, confectionery specialist and part-time rock ‘n roller in the industry’s Billy Norman Band. David runs GTR Sales and arrived in Delhi this week to attend the Incredible India conference and to moderate a
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Airports
Quivering at inflight security
It’s little wonder that we have an aviation security crisis when you see what some passengers try to take onboard. The transparent disposal bins at many airport security points always make fascinating viewing and it’s amazing how many passengers still seem to think it’s fine to take scissors and pocket knifes onboard, let alone the odd litre
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Events
Win two Rugby World Cup quarter-final tickets, support The Smile Train charity dinner and transform some young lives
Missing the match hurts – but it is more than offset by the pleasure of knowing a great cause will benefit. I’m offering my two tickets to a glamour quarter-final match at the Rugby World Cup on 6 October for auction. The game is likely to be played between the New Zealand All Blacks (unless Scotland pull off
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Events
ASUTIL erupts amid Argentinean rugby triumph
To say the room erupted when the final whistle blew (pictured) is an understatement. ASUTIL 2007 ended with a cacophany of sound, celebration and dancing among the Argentineans.
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Airports
True style knows no boundaries
One of the nicest, most tasteful stand-alone stores The Moodie BLOG has encountered in recent times is at Madrid Barajas Airport. It’s an absolutely delightful Carolina Herrera store that lives up to the designer’s oft-stated motto ‘True style knows no boundaries or generations’. Where so much airport retail is loud and unsubtle, this store is understatement epitomised.
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Airports
Just another day at Dubai Duty Free
Every picture tells a story. Or in this case a myriad of stories. Our image was snapped early on a Saturday morning at Dubai International Airport as we rode up the escalator towards the gate. The picture captures the incredible throng of people and the sheer buzz that constantly pervades the retail area at Dubai
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Quirky
Pilgrim’s progress slowed as Lourdes prayer fails to avoid security crackdown
The Lourdes giveth, the lord taketh away… The following story (offered verbatim in case you don’t believe us) comes to The Moodie BLOG courtesy of Hume Brophy partner John Hume, a tireless worker on behalf of the duty free industry in recent months in trying to solve the aviation security crisis. “Hold the front page” says
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Events
Who will be the BOSS at this year’s Rugby World Cup?
What’s a girl about town to do ? Especially when she has an acute sense of fashion (and the responsibility of championing one of its great names) and when she’s stuck for a choice of outfit for one of the great social occasions of the year? Followers of rugby – and there are many in
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Airlines
Kiwis reach for the wrong sort of Summit
It’s the unspoken fear that every Kiwi holds deep within. Like the mystery room at the top of the stairway that you must not enter or the guilty family secret that has been unspoken about for years. Yes I’m talking about being usurped by Australia, which delights in bumping aside what it perceives to be its country
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People
The gentle edge of a Thorne
Meet Grahame Thorne (top left). He’s one of New Zealand’s most famous rugby players, a star centre for the legendary All Blacks from 1967 to 1970, playing ten test matches and ranking as the most dazzling runner of his generation. He would have played many more games for his country but for his decision to