INTERNATIONAL. Leading travel restaurateur Autogrill and its subsidiary HMSHost have been named as Knowledge Hub Partners for the dedicated food & beverage sessions at the much-anticipated Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 (11-15 October). The company will sponsor the ‘Inspire’ pillar within the F&B module on 14 October.

Each day will feature sessions dedicated to the Lead, Inspire and Transform themes, with speakers drawn from both inside and outside the travel retail community.

Autogrill Chief Marketing Officer Ezio Balarini said: “We are very glad to be a sponsor of the 2021 FAB Conference and Awards, online edition. Over the last decade FAB has been a unique global platform for travel F&B, a great opportunity to share visions on the key topics of the industry and to network with airport partners and other industry influencers. We are pleased to support the return of FAB and look forward to sharing with the airport community our company’s vision to move beyond the pandemic and innovate the traveller experience, adapting it to the new reality.”

Autogrill’s backing lends further strong momentum to the all-digital event, which has attracted many brand and service companies as exhibitors, with the world’s leading travel retailers, travel food & beverage companies and airports committed to attending with their full teams.

In related news, the entry deadline for The FAB Superstars Awards is just days away, on Friday 10 September.

The awards will recognise the efforts and achievements of frontline staff and behind the scenes heroes and heroines in the travel food & beverage sector who have helped keep the industry going throughout 2020 and into this year.

For more information and details on how to nominate individuals and teams, please click here. 

Lead. Inspire. Transform are the pillar themes for the Knowledge Hub at the Virtual Expo. Registration for the event is free to airport companies, retailers and F&B concessionaires.

INTERNATIONAL. DFS Group Chairman & CEO Benjamin Vuchot is the latest travel retail industry luminary to join a powerful and diverse group of speakers in the Knowledge Hub at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October).

Vuchot assumed the leadership role at DFS, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, in October 2020 after a near four-year stint as Sephora Asia President. Before that he was DFS Group Region President Asia North for nearly six years.

He will address how DFS sees the future of the travel retail sector, the key dynamics likely to underpin the business and how the company is intent on creating “destinations within destinations”.

LEAD. INSPIRE. TRANSFORM

The Knowledge Hub programme will feature a diverse range of high-quality speakers over five power-packed days under the pillar themes of the event: Lead. Inspire. Transform. Presentations can be heard live or on-demand. To attend, delegates must register.

They include China Duty Free Group President Charles Chen; Shiseido President and CEO Masahiko Uotani; Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker; Airport Dimensions CEO Mignon Buckingham; Peace Foundation Founder & Chef de Mission for the Olympic Refugee Team Tegla Loroupe; Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin; Pernod Ricard Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Alexandre Ricard; Louis Vuitton President North Asia Michael Schriver; Kim Marotta, VP – Global Environmental Sustainability & Victoria Russell, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Beam Suntory; Aer Rianta International Chief Executive Officer Ray Hernan and many others.

“While the recent environment has been challenging, it has also offered us an unprecedented opportunity to transform our industry,” said Vuchot. “This year’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo will undoubtedly offer great insights into the energy, innovation and inspiration that continue to shape the future of travel retail.”

This year’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo offers a powerful and diverse conference programme over five days in the Knowledge Hub

INTERNATIONAL. Two more travel retail executives who have registered to attend the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, following the latest in a series of weekly prize draws that will run until the event on 11-15 October.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

Edinburgh Airport Senior Business Development Manager Emma Crosbie has won a ticket to enter the Millennium Millionaire competition and could now secure the US$1 million prize if her number is pulled out in Dubai Duty Free’s regular draw.

Gebr Heinemann Director Category Management Soeren Borch goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity to win a luxury car.

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October)

Previous draws have seen tickets won by registered Virtual Expo delegates from DFS Group, Dufry, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Edmonton Airports, Ever Rich Duty Free, Gebr Heinemann, KrisShop, Kansai Airports, Lagardère Travel Retail (Asia Pacific), Malaysia Airports, Perth Airport, Starboard Cruise Services, Tallink Duty Free and Thai Airways, underlining the wide geographical industry interest in the event and its global reach.

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

Launched in June 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe offering a one-in-5,000 chance to win US$1 million. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 32nd year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world. To date, there have been 32 winners who have won the big prize twice.

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have jointly invested in a new platform to further elevate the exhibitor and visitor experience in 2021

Versatility, style and comfort are key features of Zegna’s new ‘luxury leisurewear’ line, says the brand

Ermenegildo Zegna has unveiled its new Autumn/Winter 2021 collection, labelled (RESET) What Makes a Man, which addresses men’s changing fashion needs as a result of the global health crisis.

The line is supported by the #WhatMakesaMan campaign which reflects on the changing lifestyles of modern men and how this has affected their fashion behaviours.

Ermenegildo Zegna will be showcasing the Autumn/Winter 2021 range among other product innovations at the upcoming Virtual Travel Retail Expo, where it is a Gold Partner.

Combining elements of business, casual and loungewear pieces, the range offers a new, wearable luxury wardrobe for Zegna’s customers. It was designed by Ermenegildo Zegna Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori.

The collection represents a move away from formal clothing and instead embraces hybrid garments in the luxury leisurewear category. It features enhanced fabrics and innovative jersey knitting techniques.

The collection introduces Zegna’s new wardrobe items including ‘The New Jacket’ and ‘Overshirt’ which serve as alternatives to the traditional blazer. It also features the Triple Stitch Sneaker, enhanced with upcycled wool from its sustainable #UseTheExisting range.

The #WhatMakesaMan campaign features a diverse line-up of five Zegna Global Brand Ambassadors. The roster includes French dancer Mickael Lafon, Japanese model Yura Nakano, fashion buyer Ingo Sliwinski, American model Maggie Maurer and American photographer Jon Bronxl, with each ambassador challenging traditional notions of masculinity.

It reflects the shift in Zegna’s product strategy, which puts versatility at the forefront of its collections. While Ermenegildo Zegna has a 110 year-heritage in men’s tailoring, the pandemic has caused a shift in its approach.

“The way that modern men dress, their needs and habits have been changing considerably over the past year,” commented Sartori. “Customers are looking for a different style as they turn to more fluid silhouettes and multifunctional yet comfortable outfits. Therefore, clothes have to transition seamlessly between indoor and outdoor to reflect the way we behave and feel.

“To me, this was the perfect time to rethink what is possible, to reconsider what really matters and to rebalance style while we are called to answer to changing times. A new aesthetic is needed: fluid, ageless, adaptable, where comfort matches perfectly with style.”

Zegna’s Autumn/Winter 2021 collection seeks to redefine luxury menswear for everyday life in the post-pandemic world as work, play and home converge

Global Drinks Ltd (GDL), the fast-growing, Hong Kong company founded by experienced drinks executive Harry Kartasis, has become an exhibiting partner at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October).

GDL is showcasing its offer as a Silver Partner in the Hainan Discovery zone, one of the most exciting enhancements to this year’s Expo. Almost every one of the island’s current duty free licence holders is exhibiting at the event and all are attending as retail visitors.

GDL partners with some of the world’s leading spirits and wine companies in bringing a range of services to both local and travel retail channels.

It runs its own supply chain platform in Hong Kong and Singapore, offering partners a gateway to the world at competitive rates and without the logistical headache that comes with international expansion.

Today the company focuses on four key business areas: brand management, account management, supply chain and customer service.

Earlier this year The Moodie Davitt Report profiled Harry Kartasis’ remarkable story. Click on the image to read.

Harry Kartasis said: “We’re excited to be joining the Virtual Travel Retail Expo as a partner and exhibitor in the new Hainan Discovery zone. Our growing business is specialised in helping brands enter and succeed in the Hainan offshore duty free market and we look forward to meeting partners existing and future on our virtual stand.”

Footnote: The Hainan Discovery zone is shaping as one of the stand-outs of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Besides the multiple retailer exhibitors, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB) is hosting Hainan Discovery and also exhibiting. The island’s leading consumer media, Hainan Hinews Media Co, will showcase from a special suite while producing live coverage from the various exhibitors’ stands for broadcasting island-wide.

Further announcements will be made in coming days. Only two spots remain open with exhibition registrations closing this week.

CHINA. Shenzhen Duty-Free Group (SZDF) has become a Gold Partner and exhibitor for the forthcoming Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October).

SZDF will be exhibiting in the Hainan Discovery zone and the international Retailer Emporium, both exciting additions to the 2021 Expo. The SZDF management and buyers will also be visiting the many brands that are exhibiting at the Expo.

 “We are very excited to be exhibiting at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo – the biggest virtual event in the duty free industry. We will be showcasing our history, our stores and our ambitions to a vast global audience. We invite all brands to come and visit us and discover more about Shenzhen Duty-Free Group.”

SZDF is one of the world’s and China’s most respected duty free retailers. It has a long history of operating duty free stores, a heritage that has helped the company accumulate rich experience in the travel retail industry.

Founded in 1980, Shenzhen Duty-Free Group is the first wholly State-owned enterprise in China approved by the State Council to operate the business of duty free goods retailing.

SZDF noted that it has long enjoyed excellent and stable cooperation with many first-class international brands. In 2020, SZDF and DFS Group began a mutually complimentary international strategic cooperation that resulted in the opening of a new duty free enterprise in Hainan.

Mission Hills Duty-Free Town Phase I (trading as Times DF) was inaugurated on 31 January, 2021 in the Haikou Mission Hills resort complex. Phase II will be completed in 2022.

Flashback to 31 January this year as Shenzhen Duty-Free Group and DFS officials celebrate the spectacular inauguration of Phase 1 of their new downtown duty free retail complex in Haikou Mission Hills

Shenzhen Duty-Free Group’s inclusion adds to a stellar line-up within the near sold-out Hainan Discovery zone, a highlight of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021. Almost all the island’s travel retailers are exhibiting at the event. 

Shenzhen Duty-Free Group Chairman You Jiangwei said: “Shenzhen Duty-Free Group will strive to build core competitiveness and brand influence as always, and become a prominent and comprehensive operator in the duty free industry.”

SZDF added: “We are very excited to be exhibiting at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo – the biggest virtual event in the duty free industry – and working with The Moodie Davitt Report and their partners. We will be showcasing our history, our stores and our ambitions to a vast global audience. We invite all brands to come and visit us and discover more about Shenzhen Duty-Free Group.”

The wonder of things to come: Shenzhen Duty-Free Group has grand plans for its Mission Hills complex to become a one-stop international tourism consumption centre once all phases are complete

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are honoured that Shenzhen Duty-Free Group has joined us as a partner for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. The company has been a great pioneer of travel retail in China and its new business in Hainan is very exciting indeed.

“This is an outstanding chance for brand partners, old and new, to come and discover more about Shenzhen Duty-Free Group’s story and plans.”

Shenzhen Duty-Free Group and partner DFS Group will eventually host Hainan’s largest atrium pop-up space

NOTE: To visit Shenzhen Duty Free-Group and other Hainan travel retailers which are exhibiting at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, you must register. Registration is complimentary for brand exhibitors, retailers/operators and airports and is just US$250 for all other visitors.

Key stories from China and related to Chinese travellers are featured each week on The Moodie Davitt Report’s WeChat Official Account. Please scan the QR code to follow us.

INTERNATIONAL. Two more travel retail executives who have registered to attend the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, following the latest in a series of weekly prize draws that will run until the event on 11-15 October.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

Ever Rich Duty Free Shop Vice President Patricia Wang has won a ticket to enter the Millennium Millionaire competition and could now secure the US$1 million prize if her number is pulled out in Dubai Duty Free’s regular draw.

Starboard Cruise Services Merchandiser Carmen Soto goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity to win a luxury car.

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October)

Previous draws have seen tickets won by registered Virtual Expo delegates from DFS Group, Dufry, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Edmonton Airports, Gebr Heinemann, KrisShop, Kansai Airports, Lagardère Travel Retail (Asia Pacific), Malaysia Airports, Perth Airport, Tallink Duty Free and Thai Airways, underlining the wide geographical industry interest in the event and its global reach.

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

Launched in June 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe offering a one-in-5,000 chance to win US$1 million. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 32nd year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world. To date, there have been 32 winners who have won the big prize twice.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from retailers, brands and airports, with many who attended the acclaimed inaugural event in 2020 pledging to return. In recent days new visitor registrations have included representatives from:

• American Airlines
• Brussels Airport Company
• DAA and DAA International
• JR Duty Free
• P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
• Shenzhen Duty Free
• SUTL Corp
• Warsaw Chopin Airport

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have jointly invested in a new platform to further elevate the exhibitor and visitor experience in 2021

INTERNATIONAL. Exhibitor Registration for what is shaping as a highly successful Virtual Travel Retail Expo is set to close on Friday, 27 August.

The pioneering virtual event, set for 11-15 October,  has gained rapid momentum over the last few weeks in terms of exhibitors, registrants, sponsors and a power-packed Knowledge Hub programme.

The event is owned and managed by The Moodie Davitt Report and partner FILTR.QINGWA, together with Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (IEDB) as co-organiser and Host of the Hainan Discovery zone.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo offers an unrivalled opportunity to meet leading retailers from Hainan’s booming offshore duty free industry at the Hainan Discovery Zone, with almost all of the current players exhibiting and every one of them attending in force to visit brand exhibitors.

They will be joined by Wangfujing Duty Free, which is preparing to open on the island and on the Mainland in coming months. In advance of its duty free debut, the retail giant is seeking to meet brand partners at the Expo and showcase its highly ambitious plans. Another major partner will be revealed this week.

The Hainan Discovery zone will showcase all aspects of Hainan’s Free Trade Port programme. The dedicated area featurse a new level of digital engagement and offer sponsorship, advertising and promotional opportunities for exhibitors and non-exhibitors alike.

“This is an outstanding chance for brands all around the world to meet with the key players in the world’s hottest duty free location,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie. “Each of our Hainan retailer exhibitors plans to present a dynamic digital showcase of their stores and plans. They are all keen to raise awareness of the Hainan offshore duty free market and to meet with established and potential brand partners.”

Lagardère Travel Retail China has also become a Platinum Partner and exhibitor within the Hainan Discovery zone.

China Duty Free Group (CDFG), China’s and the world’s number one travel retailer by sales in 2020, was recently announced as the Expo’s exclusive Strategic Cooperation Partner. In a major development, CDFG will have its own dedicated digital area in the Expo, called CDFG City, where it will showcase some of its most exciting current and planned projects. A gateway presence to CDFG City will feature in both the Hainan Discovery zone and the Retailer Emporium.

The Hainan Discovery zone promises to be a compelling showcase for the travel retail hotspot

The Expo also marks the return of The QDF Factor, an initiative to champion innovation at a time when travel retail needs that quality more than ever.

The QDF Factor, first hosted in 2020 at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, is a competition open to all brands, both within and outside the travel retail channel. It offers a top prize of a six-month listing (subject to standard commercial and payment terms) in 2022 at Qatar Duty Free’s award-winning retail offer in Hamad International Airport, Doha, recently voted Best Airport in the World by Skytrax.

The victor will also win a free six-month US$50,000 multi-media advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.

Qatar Duty Free, a Diamond Partner of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, has pledged a spectacular digital showcasing of the much-anticipated Hamad International Airport (HIA) Expansion due to open in 2022.

Besides the expansion – one of the world’s most ambitious airport infrastructure projects – Qatar Duty Free (QDF) will be highlighting the extensive retail, food & beverage and services development within the South and North nodes of the existing terminal building.

A powerful and richly diverse speaker lineup is taking shape for the Knowledge Hub of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. It will feature a diverse range of high-quality speakers under the pillar themes of the event: Lead. Inspire. Transform.

As detailed in the video below, the speaker lineup spans multiple travel retail channels and regions as well as thought leaders and inspirational figures from beyond the industry. It will feature industry leaders such as China Duty Free Group Charles Chen; Pernod Ricard Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Alexandre Ricard; Shiseido Chairman, President, CEO & Executive Officer Masahiko Uotani; and Qatar Airways group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

The line-up includes several inspirational social and business leaders. Under Inspire, the opening day of the Knowledge Hub (11 October) will feature a star turn in Tegla Loroupe, Founder & President of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation & Chef de Mission for the Olympic Refugee Team in Tokyo. In addition, Expo visitors will hear from Woman in Travel Thrive Founder and Expedia Group North American Market Management and Lodging Senior Director Silvia Camarota and Beam Suntory Global Environmental Sustainability VP Kim Marotta and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Victoria Russell.

The Knowledge Hub programme will also embrace the Travel Retail Superstars Awards, The Moodies (social and digital media awards) and the FAB Superstars Awards. 

Click here to register for the event

All registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event.

Participants have the chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

More exhibitors and partners will be announced in coming days. Attendance is free for all exhibitors and sponsors, airports authorities, airlines, cruise and ferry companies, retail and F&B operators, other airport service providers, trade associations and official media partners.

Registration for all other delegates is just US$250 for the live week and six-week encore period.

CHINA. Wangfujing Duty Free has announced its official participation in the second Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October), pledging to introduce a new concept of duty free retail at the event. The subsidiary of the famous Chinese department store company* will be a Gold Partner at the Expo.

As reported, Wangfujing Group, one of China’s most powerful and respected retailers, was granted a duty free licenceby China’s Ministry of Tourism in June 2020. The following month it announced the creation of a wholly owned subsidiary duty free company, Beijing Wangfujing Duty Free Management Co Ltd (Wangfujing Duty Free), with registered capital of RMB500 million (US$72 million).

As reported, the company outlined details of its forthcoming Hai Ken Plaza project, located in the centre of the Haikou International Trade CBD, during the Hainan Expo this May. It also has plans to open duty free operations on the Chinese mainland.

The company said that it will present a focus on digitalisation and an enhanced retail service experience inside the Hainan Discovery zone – a highlight of the new-look Expo.

[Click on the YouTube icon to enter the vibrant new world of Wangfujing Duty Free]

Visitors will be able to experience Wangfujing Duty Free’s virtual suite online and enjoy an immersive 360-degree experience.

The Hainan Discovery zone will be a highlight of the 2021 Virtual Travel Retail Expo

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is owned and managed by The Moodie Davitt Report with partner FILTR.QINGWA. This year Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB) is acting as co-organiser and also host of the Hainan Discovery zone. The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo in 2020 was an outstanding success, drawing an audience of 124 exhibitors, 4,373 visitors and 179,934 stand or suite content views.

Click here to read our recent extensive coverage of Wangfujing Duty Free

王府井免税共赏线上椰林奇境

——《穆迪达维特免税报告》全球旅游零售线上博览会

第二届全球旅游零售线上博览会将于2021年10月11日举行。该展会由《穆迪达维特免税报告》创立，与海南国际经发局和FILTR.QINGWA联合举办，去年10月首次举办就获得了各界褒奖，吸引了124 家参展商及四千余位独立访客，展位内容浏览量高达十余万人次。

王府井免税也将踏浪而来，把全新的免税零售理念融入到此次盛会中，在海南探索（Hainan Discovery）展区向大家展示数字化与极致的零售服务体验，届时访客在线上即可身临其境地体验王府井免税的虚拟展台，感受360度的沉浸式体验。

Key stories from China and related to Chinese travellers are featured each week on The Moodie Davitt Report’s WeChat Official Account. Please scan the QR code to follow us.

Wangfujing Duty Free is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wangfujing Group. Wangfujing Duty Free – a key business model that Wangfujing Group is focusing on developing – is committed to actively exploring and innovating within the duty free industry, the company said.

Wangfujing Duty Free said that with the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the travel retail industry offers many opportunities for co-existing competition. The company intends to provide a range of  high-quality and convenient services for tourists and local residents of Hainan.

Wangfujing Duty Free noted that it enjoys significant resource advantages from Wangfujing Group’s multi-business models (department stores, shopping malls, outlets, supermarkets and ecommerce). The group has a thriving online business with over 30 million consumers as well as the advantage of well-proven brand relationships  in the luxury and cosmetics categories.

Wangfujing Group pioneered the department store business in Beijing in 1955 and still operates there to this day

Based on these advantages, Wangfujing Duty Free believes that it will provide tourists and local residents with a “humanised, personalised and intelligent travel retail shopping experience”. The company aims to enrich the life of people in Hainan and the whole country by providing highly personalised and dedicated services.

Through the platform of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, Wangfujing Duty Free said that it wants to express its determination to vigorously promote the economic and trade development of the province to the people of Hainan and China. At the same time it pledged to bring ‘Wangfujing service’ to “enrich and improve the travel retail industry in Hainan and across the country”.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are honoured and delighted that our second Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be graced by a retailer of such heritage and quality as Wangfujing. The group is among the great names of Chinese and Asia retailing and its move into the duty free sector is one of the most important developments in China’s travel retail industry over recent years.

“Wangfujing Duty Free will be showcasing its plans in great style at the Expo and welcoming brands from all over the world to its stand, while its management and buying teams will also be attending in force and meeting our various brand exhibitors.”

In May this year, Wangfujing Group exhibited at the Hainan Expo. Here company Vice President Qun Zeng (曾群) discusses the future for the department store group’s duty free business with Hainan Hinews Media Company’s Lu Tian Qin, Chief TV Host of Hinews.cn Media and Head of the Duty Free Channel on the hugely popular 新海南 New Hainan app. Hainan Hinews is also exhibiting at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo and is providing live daily coverage of the various brand and retailers’ activities to a large Chinese consumer audience.

王府井免税成立于2020年7月，为王府井集团的全资子公司。作为王府井集团加速发展的重点业态，王府井免税在免税行业中积极探索，创新经营。随着海南建设自由贸易港，旅游零售行业的机遇与竞争并存，为全海南游客以及岛内居民提供优质、便利的服务是零售商重点打造的核心能力。王府井免税依靠王府井集团66年积累的资深零售运营底蕴优势，坚持以初心回归商业服务本质，以匠心打造美好体验为目标。此外，王府井免税拥有王府井集团经营百货、购物中心、奥莱、超市、线上以及自营的多业态资源优势，持有超3000万会员种子用户的积累，以及奢侈品品类人无我有、化妆品品类人有我精的品牌合作优势。相信凭借这些优势，王府井免税会为海南游客以及岛内居民提供人性化、个性化、智能化的旅游零售购物体验，用更贴心的服务来丰富海南以及全国人民的美好生活。

王府井免税希望通过全球旅游零售线上博览会这个广阔的平台，向海南以及全国人民展示大力促进海南经济贸易发展的决心，同时将把王府井式的服务带给海南以及全国，丰富以及完善海南以及全国旅游零售业态。

*About Wangfujing Group

Wangfujing’s first department store opened in central Beijing in 1955. Its predecessor, Beijing Department Store, won world renown as the first department store following the creation of the People’s Republic of China.

The 39,000sq m store remains one of Bejing’s best-known shopping destinations.

Since 1996 the company has been scaling up its presence throughout China. Wangfujing has developed into one of the largest retail groups in China
with over 3 million square metres of space and 60 points of sales in 32 cities, covering all the key economic zones across China. It operates
diversified business formats including department stores, shopping malls, outlets, supermarkets and online shops.

The company was first listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 1994 and has since then been a part of the Shanghai Securities Exchange 30 Index, Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 index and SSE 380.

A domestic retail giant enters the duty free arena. Source: Wangfujing Group

INTERNATIONAL. Two more travel retail executives who have registered to attend the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, following the latest in a series of weekly prize draws that will run until the event on 11-15 October.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

Perth Airport Business Development Manager – Retail Jason Gorgioski has won a ticket to enter the Millennium Millionaire competition and could now secure the US$1 million prize if that number is pulled out in Dubai Duty Free’s regular draw.

Thai Airways Head of Customer Experience and Product Visutporn Poonsawad goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity to win a luxury car.

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October)

Previous draws have seen tickets won by registered Virtual Expo delegates from DFS Group, Dufry, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Edmonton Airports, Gebr Heinemann, KrisShop, Kansai Airports, Lagardère Travel Retail (Asia Pacific), Malaysia Airports and Tallink Duty Free, underlining the wide geographical industry interest in the event and its global reach.

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

Launched in June 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe offering a one-in-5,000 chance to win US$1 million. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 32nd year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world. To date, there have been 32 winners who have won the big prize twice.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from retailers, brands and airports, with many who attended the acclaimed inaugural event in 2020 pledging to return.

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have jointly invested in a new platform to further elevate the exhibitor and visitor experience in 2021

INTERNATIONAL. A powerful and richly diverse speaker lineup is taking shape for the Knowledge Hub at the second Moodie Davitt Travel Retail Virtual Expo, which takes place on 11-15 October. 

As reported, the Knowledge Hub will feature a diverse range of high-quality speakers under the pillar themes of the event: Lead. Inspire. Transform. Registration for the event – hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA, together with Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (IEDB) – is available at this link.

As detailed in the video and images on this page, the speaker lineup spans multiple travel retail channels and regions as well as thought leaders and inspirational figures from beyond the industry.

They include:

• Charles Chen, President, China Duty Free Group
• Alexandre Ricard, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Pernod Ricard
• Masahiko Uotani, Chairman, President, CEO & Executive Officer, Shiseido
• Han Shengjian, Director General of Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB)
• Tegla Loroupe, Founder, Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation and Chef de Mission for the Olympic Refugee Team in Tokyo
• Michael Schriver, President North Asia, Louis Vuitton (speaking in a personal capacity)
• Mignon Buckingham, CEO, Airport Dimensions
• His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group
• Kim Marotta, VP – Global Environmental Sustainability, Beam Suntory
• Victoria Russell, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Beam Suntory
• Sunil Tuli, Group Chief Executive, King Power Group (Hong Kong) & President of APTRA
• Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Dubai Duty Free
• Ray Hernan, Chief Executive Officer, Aer Rianta International
• Thabet Musleh, Vice President Operations, Qatar Duty Free
• Marc André Kamel, Global Head of Retail Practice, Bain & Company
• Mauro Anastasi, Partner, Bain & Company Italy
• Jack MacGowan, Director, Castlepole Consulting
• Fraser Brown, Retail & Property Director, Heathrow Airport
• Heidi Köpple, Head Commercial Centers, Zürich Airport
• Stewart Dryburgh, General Manager, Nestlé International Travel Retail
• Chris Pok, CEO, KrisShop
• Eudes Fabre, Chief Executive Officer – North Asia, Lagardère Travel Retail
• Óscar Vela, CEO, Areas
• Phillip Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer, IPP Travel Retail and Vice President Business Development Imex Pan Pacific Group
• Ray Gaul, CEO and Co-Founder, Retail Cities
• Silvia Camarota, Senior Director North American Market Management and Lodging, Expedia Group, and Founder of Women in Travel Thrive (WITT)
• Mary Wyse, Retail Analytics Manager, Aer Rianta International and member of WITT

Senior industry figures (see also video above) who add allure to the list of speakers include (top row, from left) ARI CEO Ray Hernan and Nestlé International Travel Retail General Manager Stewart Dryburgh; (below, from left) Retail Cities CEO Ray Gaul and Bain Global Head of Retail Practice Marc André Kamel; (third row, from left) Zürich Airport Head Commercial Centers Heidi Köpple and Castlepole Consulting Director Jack MacGowan (bottom row, from left) Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh and Women in Travel Thrive representative Mary Wyse

More leading names will be announced in coming days.

Visitor bookings also continue to rise quickly. Retailers, airport companies, service providers and associations that have registered to attend in recent days include:

• Denver Airport
• Kappé Schiphol
• Rio Galeão International Airport
• MTR Corporation
• Cathay Pacific Airways
• United Airports of Georgia
• ETRC
• Diplomatic Supply Service

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

INTERNATIONAL. Leading drinks companies William Grant & Sons and Edrington are among the latest exhibitor partners to sign up for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, set to take place on 11-15 October. The event continues to gain rapid momentum in terms of exhibitors, registrants and a power-packed Knowledge Hub programme. Reservations close this week for exhibition bookings.

Expo hosts The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA, together with co-organiser Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (IEDB), are delighted to welcome the travel retail divisions of William Grant & Sons and Edrington.

Speaking on behalf of Edrington Global Travel Retail, Regional Managing Director Jeremy Speirs said that the event represents “an incredibly valuable opportunity to drive connectivity and collaboration” within the industry. He said the company would use the digital platform provided by the Expo to connect with partners and present its latest product innovations.

INTERNATIONAL. Two more travel retail executives who have registered to attend the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, following the latest in a series of weekly prize draws that will run until the event on 11-15 October.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

Kansai Airport Retail Services Wine & Spirits, Tobacco Products Group Manager Ko Ogawa has won a ticket to enter the Millennium Millionaire competition and could now secure the US$1 million prize if that number is pulled out in Dubai Duty Free’s regular draw.

Corinna Schäfer, Senior Buyer at Gebr. Heinemann goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity to win a luxury car.

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October)

Previous draws have seen tickets won by registered Virtual Expo delegates from DFS Group, Dufry, KrisShop, Lagardère Travel Retail (Asia Pacific), Tallink Duty Free, Malaysia Airports and Heinemann (Australia), underlining the wide geographical industry interest in the event and its global reach.

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

Launched in June 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe offering a one-in-5,000 chance to win US$1 million. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 32nd year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world. To date, there have been 32 winners who have won the big prize twice.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from retailers, brands and airports, with many who attended the acclaimed inaugural event in 2020 pledging to return.

For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community in these difficult times. The booking deadline for exhibitors is 16 August.

For details on exhibiting or sponsoring the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please email Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Sarah Genest at Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com or Phil Peachey at Phil@MoodieDavittReport.com

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have jointly invested in a new platform to further elevate the exhibitor and visitor experience in 2021

Mast-Jägermeister, producer of the top-selling Jägermeister and the recent line extension Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee, also makes a welcome return. The company said, “We are very much looking forward to participating in the second year of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo with our brand Jähgermeister and showing the travel retail world our commitment to the industry.”

Molson Coors Beverage Company is another leading drinks company to be again participating in travel retail’s leading digital event. Molson Coors Travel Retail EMEA & APAC Senior Manager Mykola (Nick) Nogai said, “Molson Coors Beverage Company’s Travel Retail team are delighted to be taking part in the Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo again this year.

“We’re all learning how to effectively operate in this new climate, and so it is crucial to stay connected and take a united approach to drive growth in the travel retail sector. We look forward to spending this time together at the secondd Virtual Travel Retail Expo to strengthen our existing business relationships and form new collaborations.”

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has also attracted some of the world’ leading retailers as both partners and exhibitors. As reported, China Duty Free Group (CDFG), China’s and the world’s number one travel retailer by sales in 2020*, was recently announced as the exclusive Strategic Cooperation Partner of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October. More major retailer announcements will be made in coming days.

CDFG will have its own dedicated digital area in the Expo, called CDFG City, where it will showcase some of its most exciting current and planned projects. A gateway presence to CDFG City will feature in both the Hainan Discovery zone and the Retailer Emporium.

The CDFG management, buying, branding and merchandising teams will be out in full force at the Expo, both in CDFG City and also visiting the various brand exhibitors. CDFG President Charles Chen will also deliver the morning keynote address in the Knowledge Hub on the first day of the Expo.

As reported, luxury travel retail specialist 2.0 & Partners has announced its participation in the upcoming Virtual Travel Retail Expo, where it plans to highlight its channel-specific services that aim to help partners rebuild and gear up for a post-pandemic recovery.

“To be returning to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the perfect way for us and the industry to really take our recovery to the next level,” commented 2.0 & Partners CEO Fabio Bernardini.

“We truly believe that building connections is how we will all emerge from this challenging time with an industry which is stronger, more innovative and more engaging than ever. Our shoppers have changed, and we must change with them. But no one person or company can do this alone.”

Rodenstock’s Gestin continued: “The Virtual Stand enabled us to showcase a flavour of our digital capability and the overall experience was very rewarding. So, it goes without saying, that in 2021 – with recovery now a reality – it makes sense for us to be back again, supporting a platform that is so user-friendly for a global audience.

“For us, travel retail is very much a global business and being able to connect with buyers in all regions is vital. Especially in these difficult and restrictive times such an innovative event is the only way to meet with our travel retail partners from around the world.”

2.0 & Partners Senior Executive Vice President Marco Passoni added, “This is not a time for holding back. Our industry needs bold and innovative strokes and a deep understanding of the latest trends to build a future which both our customers and our partners desire and deserve.

“We have big and complicated questions we must answer about the use of space, creating engagement for brands and providing a fresh, exciting offer for our customers. None of us can do this alone and we are looking forward to reconnecting with everyone at the Expo to see what future we can create together.”

Independent eyewear company Bravo Fashion also makes a welcome return to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo this year. Founder Terry Smith promises to wow attendees with style, innovation and true product diversity at its #Virtual Stand.

He said, “Bravo Fashion is very proud to be a Silver partner for the second year at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Our participation shows that big is not always better. The diversity, quality, style, innovation and technology you get from a small company, you don’t get elsewhere. Bravo Fashion offers all of the above with great delivery and customer service too. 

Lagardère Travel Retail China has also become a Platinum Partner and exhibitor within the Hainan Discovery zone.

Lagardère Travel Retail North Asia CEO Eudes Fabre said: “Lagardère Travel Retail is very pleased to take part in this year’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo with a special focus on China and Hainan. The travel retail and duty free markets in this part of the world present unprecedented opportunities which we look forward to developing with our partners.

“We believe the Virtual Travel Retail Expo is a great occasion to connect with all industry stakeholders and take a collaborative approach to promoting the growth and evolution of travel retail.”

Other retailers, airport companies, service providers and associations that have registered to attend in recent days include

• Bristol Airport
• Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
• Edinburgh Airport
• International Duty Free Shops (IDFS) Maroc
• Kansai Airports
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Travel Food Services

Underlining the cost efficiency of the virtual model, many retailers are bulk registering multiple members of their team. For example, a 30-strong management team from Ever Rich Duty Free in Taipei is attending the Expo. Ever Rich is also exhibiting in the Retailer Emporium.

Lu Tian Qian, one of Hainan’s most renowned media personalities, will lead Hainan Hinews’ extensive on location coverage from the Virtual Travel Retail Expo

CHINA. Hainan Hinews Media Co, Hainan’s leading media house and The Moodie Davitt Report’s strategic partner in Hainan, today released details of the unprecedented coverage of Virtual Travel Retail Expo exhibitors and activities that the company plans to bring to its vast consumer audience in Hainan and on the Mainland.

Hainan Hinews is also exhibiting as a Platinum Partner in the Hainan Discovery zone, one of the exciting enhancements to the Expo, which returns after a highly successful debut in 2020.

Hainan Hinews’ coverage of the event – which will be a combination of live and delayed reporting – will be led by star Hainan media personality Lu Tian Qin, Chief TV Host of Hinews.cn Media. Tian Qin is also Head of the Duty Free Channel on the hugely popular 新海南 (New Hainan) app, which has had over 2 million downloads.

In a recording on New Hainan and for The Moodie Davitt Report in English and Chinese, Tian Qin notes: “I’m going to be reporting live each day from the Virtual Travel Retail Expo this October where Hainan Hinews Media Company will also be exhibiting in the new and exciting Hainan Discovery zone. Come and visit us and take a look at our amazing media offering.

“Our team will also be visiting all the exhibitors and reporting on all the exciting activities to our vast consumer audience. Hainan people are eager to know more about duty free products. And I’ll be ensuring they get to know all about the great brands on offer at the Expo.

“The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is big news here in Hainan. And we’re excited to see that the Hainan duty free sector has been given its own dedicated zone.”

Hainan Hinews Media Co also represents The Moodie Davitt Report at key travel retail launches, campaign activations, conferences and store openings in Hainan. Their coverage plays out to a unique combination of a large Chinese consumer audience and The Moodie Davitt Report’s international B2B readership. Below are two recent examples of Tian Qin’s reports.

In July, The Moodie Davitt Report proudly presented a special on location report from Lu Tian Qin dedicated to an exciting new collaboration between Estée Lauder, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) and Marriott Bonvoy Hainan Hotels.

In this programme, Tian Qin visits the Haikou Marriott Hotel to experience this pioneering crossover event and takes afternoon tea Estée Lauder-style, dubbed ‘Cool Summer’. Tian Qin notes the “unprecedented” collaboration between a hotel, a brand and a duty free retailer.

Key stories from China and related to Chinese travellers are featured each week on The Moodie Davitt Report’s new WeChat Official Account. Please scan the QR code to follow us.

Tian Qin and Hainan Hinews were also on hand as William Grant & Sons celebrated the global duty free launch of Glenfiddich Grande Couronne 26 Year Old with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) last month by opening a pop-up store in CDF Mall at the Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay.

That evening the company hosted a spectacular commemorative dinner at the Beauty Crown Grand Tree Hotel in Sanya, Hainan.

In the video Tian Qin visits the new pop-up store; interviews William Grant & Sons Regional Manager Global Travel Retail China Duan Fei & Customer Planning & Activation Manager – Global Travel Retail North Asia Jean Chen; and delivers the seal of approval for Grande Couronne 26 after a nosing and tasting with Jean Chen at the pop-up.

As reported, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB) is an official co-organiser of the Expo and host of the pioneering Hainan Discovery zone.

CHINA/INTERNATIONAL. In major breaking news, China Duty Free Group (CDFG), China’s and the world’s number one travel retailer by sales in 2020*, is today announced as the exclusive Strategic Cooperation Partner of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

The Expo will be held on 11-15 October with a six-week ‘encore’ period when stands and suites will remain open.

The all-digital event, owned by The Moodie Davitt Report (with support from FILTR.QINGWA and co-organiser Hainan Provincial Bureau of Intentional Economic Development), is the follow-up to the successful Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October 2020, where CDFG was a Diamond Partner.

In a pioneering digital development, China Duty Free Group will host its own dedicated virtual area called CDFG City, where it will showcase its most exciting current and planned projects

CDFG said in a statement on its WeChat Official Account: “As the representative of China’s duty free industry, CDFG participates in the brand promotion project of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 as exclusive ‘Strategic cooperation partner’, which not only shows its great global brand influence, but also the status and immense potential of China’s duty free market in the industry.”

(Above) CDF Mall, part of the acclaimed CDF Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay, currently the world’s busiest duty free shopping location. Below is CDFG’s magnificently ambitous Haikou International Duty Free City, set to open in mid-2022.

In a hugely exciting development, CDFG will have its own dedicated digital area in the Expo, called CDFG City, where it will showcase some of its most exciting current and planned projects. A gateway presence to CDFG City will feature in both the Hainan Discovery zone and the Retailer Emporium.

The CDFG management, buying, branding and merchandising teams will be out in full force at the Expo, both in CDFG City and also visiting the various brand exhibitors.

China Duty Free Group President Charles Chen, who has driven the retailer’s remarkable ascendency to world number one in recent years, will deliver the opening keynote address at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo

CDFG President Charles Chen will also deliver the morning keynote address in the Knowledge Hub on the first day of the Expo.

CDFG said that the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 sees the return of the global industry’s largest virtual event, bringing together brands, retailers, airports, airlines, F&B operators, associations and other stakeholders in a powerful ecosystem.

In its statement, CDFG called the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo “the pioneering and unprecedented virtual exhibition and seminar in the travel retail industry”.

The retailer described The Moodie Davitt Report as one of the world’s most successful multimedia B2B publishers in the world… “an indispensable source of reliable and real-time business intelligence for the global travel retail sector”.

The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie said: “China Duty Free Group’s rise to become the world’s number one travel retail sales represents an extraordinary success story. We are very honoured that CDFG will play such a leading role in our event and showcase its market-leading expertise to Expo visitors.”

*Source: The Moodie Davitt Report Top 25 Travel Retailers

Note: For details on how to exhibit at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com 0r Sarah Genest (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com) or Phil Peachey (Phil@MoodieDavittReport.com).

Bookings close around 16 August due to virtual stand creation lead times.

Registration is free for all exhibitors and sponsors, airports authorities, airlines, cruise and ferry companies, retail and F&B operators, other airport service providers, trade associations and official media partners.

Registration for all other delegates is just US$250 for the live week and the six-week encore period.

CHINA/INTERNATIONAL. Lagardère Travel Retail China has become a Platinum Partner and exhibitor within the Hainan Discovery zone at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October).

The dedicated zone is one of the highlights of the 2021 Expo, the follow-up to the hugely successful 2020 event. As reported, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB) is the official Host of the Hainan Discovery zone, as well as being an Expo co-organiser alongside The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA.

As reported, the Expo continues to gain momentum with several inspirational social and business leaders added to the Knowledge Hub speaking programme and more exhibitors signing up.

Further major exhibitor announcements will be made next week.

Advertising and exhibitor opportunities are still available in the Hainan Discovery zone, the Retailer Emporium and the main Exhibition Pavilion.

However, the deadline for exhibitor bookings is just 10 days away on 16 August.

Lagardère Travel Retail North Asia CEO Eudes Fabre said: “Lagardère Travel Retail is very pleased to take part in this year’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo with a special focus on China and Hainan. The travel retail and duty free markets in this part of the world present unprecedented opportunities which we look forward to developing with our partners.

“We believe the Virtual Travel Retail Expo is a great occasion to connect with all industry stakeholders and take a collaborative approach to promoting the growth and evolution of travel retail.”

The Hainan Discovery zone will capture all the exuberance and natural charm of the island as well as focusing on its great man-made attraction, duty free shopping

These renderings from Virtual Travel Retail Expo digital curation partner FILTR.QINGWA underline the excitement that the digital representation of travel retail’s hottest market will create. Click to enlarge.

Interest continues to build in the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, with 10 days until the 16 August exhibitor booking deadline

Retailers, airport companies, service providers and associations that have registered to attend in recent days include

• • Adani Airports (the new powerhouse of Indian airports)
  • Airports Council International
  • AirCanteen
  • Bahrain Airport Company
  • Budapest Airport
  • Emirates Leisure Retail
  • Iraq Duty Free
  • JDC Duty Free
  • King Power Group (HK)
  • King Power International
  • King Power Traveler
  • KrisShop
  • Lagardère Travel Retail China & North Asia
  • Layam
  • Maldives Airports Company
  • Noida International Airport (a proposed international airport to be constructed near the town of Jewar in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India)
  • Paradies Lagardère
  • Regstaer
  • Shilla Travel Retail
  • TRG Concessions
  • Western Sydney Airport.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register.

For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community in these difficult times. As noted above, the booking deadline is 16 August.

For details on exhibiting or sponsoring the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please email Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Sarah Genest at Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com

INTERNATIONAL. Two more travel retail executives who have registered to attend the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free. This follows the latest in a series of weekly prize draws that will run until the event on 11-15 October.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

Heinemann Asia Pacific Fashion Buyer Rachel Chia has won a ticket to enter the Millennium Millionaire competition and could now secure the US$1 million prize if her name is pulled out in Dubai Duty Free’s regular draw.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Assistant Vice President Concessions Kevin Lemmons goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity to win a luxury car.

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October)

Previous draws have seen tickets won by registered Virtual Expo delegates from DFS Group, Dufry, KrisShop, Lagardère Travel Retail, Tallink Duty Free, Malaysia Airports, Edmonton Airports and Heinemann (Australia), underlining the wide geographical industry interest in the event and its global reach.

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

Launched in June 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe offering a one-in-5,000 chance to win US$1 million. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 32nd year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world. To date, there have been 32 winners who have won the big prize twice.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from retailers, brands and airports, with many who attended the acclaimed inaugural event in 2020 pledging to return.

For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community in these difficult times. The booking deadline for exhibitors is 16 August.

For details on exhibiting or sponsoring the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please email Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Sarah Genest at Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have jointly invested in a new platform to further elevate the exhibitor and visitor experience in 2021

INTERNATIONAL. The Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October) continues to gain momentum with several inspirational social and business leaders added to the Knowledge Hub speaking programme and more exhibitors signing up.

Further major exhibitor announcements will be made next week. The deadline for exhibitor bookings is just 11 days away on 16 August.

Drinks company Campari, which won five global design, experience and marketing awards for its Fly Campari Group Virtual Stand during the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo last year, returns this year as a Gold Partner.

Mast-Jägermeister is another big name to return. The Jägermeister brand, one of the world’s biggest-selling spirits brands, will be showcased via another high-impact Gold virtual stand. Other partners include confectionery & food powerhouse Mondelez World Travel Retail (Gold) and dynamic German eyewear specialist Rodenstock (Silver) each returning having exhibited successfully at the 2020 event.

Meanwhile Taipei-based travel retailer Ever Rich Duty Free has confirmed its presence as an exhibitor within the newly developed Retailer Emporium, alongside other leading retailers.

Campari was the most-visited stand at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, an affirmation of how well the company pre-marketed its presence and ensured highly engaging experience for on-site visitors

Expect plenty of trademark vibrancy, fun and immersive activity as the hugely popular independent Jägermeister brand makes a welcome return to the event

Interest continues to build in the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, with 11 days until the 16 August exhibitor booking deadline

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is owned and managed by The Moodie Davitt Report and event partner FILTR.QINGWA. As reported, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB) has become a Co-Organiser of the Expo and Host of a major standout of the event, the Hainan Discovery zone.

(Above) Dynamic German eyewear specialist Rodenstock and (below) confectionery & food powerhouse Mondelez World Travel Retail each make a welcome return after succesful showings from their 2020 virtual stands (pictured)

Retailers, airport companies, service providers and associations that have registered to attend in recent days include

• • Adani Airports (the new powerhouse of Indian airports)
  • Airports Council International
  • AirCanteen
  • Bahrain Airport Company
  • Budapest Airport
  • Emirates Leisure Retail
  • Iraq Duty Free
  • King Power Group (HK)
  • King Power International
  • King Power Traveler
  • KrisShop
  • Layam
  • Maldives Airports Company
  • Noida International Airport (a proposed international airport to be constructed near the town of Jewar in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India)
  • Paradies Lagardère
  • Regstaer
  • Shilla Travel Retail
  • TRG Concessions
  • Western Sydney Airport.

LEAD. INSPIRE. TRANSFORM

The Knowledge Hub will feature a diverse range of high-quality speakers under the pillar themes of the event: Lead. Inspire. Transform.

Under Inspire, the opening day of the Knowledge Hub (11 October) will feature a star turn in Tegla Loroupe, Founder & President of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation & Chef de Mission for the Olympic Refugee Team in Tokyo.

Leading, inspiring and transforming: (Left to right) Tegla Loroupe, Mignon Buckingham and Marc-André Kamel

Tegla is a former champion Kenyan long-distance track and world record-holding road runner and a passionate global spokeswoman for peace, women’s rights, education for all and recogniton and compassion for the displaced. Her session features a conversation with Martin Moodie, in which she will share her story, career highlights, ambitions and the driving force that inspires her to bring positive change to the world.

Later during the first day under the Lead theme, Mignon Buckingham, CEO, Airport Dimensions will then present a special session on ‘Envisioning The Airport Experience of The Future – a Consumer-centric View’. Airport Dimensions is a global leader in delivering airport lounges and traveller experiences.

With 30 years’ experience in business strategy, development and management, Mignon Buckingham has played a significant part in the growth of Airport Dimensions’ parent company Collinson for over 20 years. This session, leveraging consumer research especially commissioned for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, will focus on understanding traveller needs, demands and aspirations for the airport experience of the future.

Day Two, Tuesday 12 October, in the Knowledge Hub will provide a special session under the Transform theme led by Marc-André Kamel, Global Head of the Retail practice and leading member of Bain’s Full Potential Transformation practice. He will be joined by Mauro Anastasi, Partner, Bain & Company Italy and Jack MacGowan, Director, Castlepole Consulting.

The trio will offer a key follow-up to the Trinity White Paper written by Anastasi and MacGowan that was published earlier this year in association with The Moodie Davitt Report. Among other findings, the paper said that travel retailers need to embrace digitalisation (CRM, data-enabled commercial decision making, omnichannel focus etc.) to a much greater degree, in a way that is customised for the channel. Kamel will address what this means in practice and how such a vision can be achieved.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register.

For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community in these difficult times. As noted above, the booking deadline is 16 August.

For details on exhibiting or sponsoring the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please email Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Sarah Genest at Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com

INTERNATIONAL. Two more travel retail executives who have registered to attend the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free. This follows the latest in a series of weekly prize draws that will run until the event on 11-15 October.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Click here to register for the event.

Edmonton Airports Director Concessions Development Daphne Shelton has won a ticket to enter the Millennium Millionaire competition and could now secure the US$1 million prize if her name is pulled out in Dubai Duty Free’s regular draw.

Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East Beauty Category Manager Shannon Pye goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity to win a luxury car.

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October)

Previous draws have seen tickets won by registered Virtual Expo delegates from DFS Group, Dufry, KrisShop, Lagardère Travel Retail (Asia Pacific), Tallink Duty Free, Malaysia Airports and Heinemann (Australia), underlining the wide geographical industry interest in the event and its global reach.

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

Launched in June 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion has captured the imagination of travellers around the globe offering a one-in-5,000 chance to win US$1 million. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 32nd year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world. To date, there have been 32 winners who have won the big prize twice.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from retailers, brands and airports, with many who attended the acclaimed inaugural event in 2020 pledging to return.

For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community in these difficult times. The booking deadline for exhibitors is 16 August.

For details on exhibiting or sponsoring the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please email Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Sarah Genest at Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com

The booking deadline for the exhibition is 16 August.

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have jointly invested in a new platform to further elevate the exhibitor and visitor experience in 2021