Travel Retail in fine shape after exhibition

The travel retail sector has been hailed as being in robust health following a highly successful Tax Free World Association World Exhibition in Cannes.

Erik Juul-Mortensen, president of the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) said he was “very happy” with the outcome of this year’s exhibition.

He continued: “We all recognise that 2009 was not easy. The show here this week reflects the very positive start we have made to this year and the positive state of the industry.”

The event, which ran from Monday 18 October until Friday 22 October, welcomed 5,398 visitors from over 2,500 companies – an 8% increase on 2009 visitor figures.

Over 70% of the guests – a total of 3,852 people – were duty free operators, retailers, landlords, agents and distributors.

The visitors were able to browse the latest products of 457 exhibitors, including 51 new companies.

A record 820 people attended the opening conference on the Monday to listen to speakers: Jean-Paul Argon, CEO L’Oreal, Lord Alan Watson, chairman Havas Media UK, branding expert Martin Landstrom and Juul-Mortensen.

Throughout the week further conferences and seminars covered a wide range of topics; from retail opportunities in the Far East delivered by Paul Husband, MD Husband Retailing Consultancy, to the issues facing the industry chaired by Michael Payne, executive director of the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores.

At the closing party, auctions raised €19,000 for the charity Hand in Hand for Haiti and €10,000 for flood victims in India and Pakistan.

Rupert Millar, 27.10.2010