Anna Marchesini, Head of Business Development, m1nd-set, at the 2023 TR Consumer Forum. Conversion of visitors in the alcohol category in duty free has risen to 54% in Q4 2023, following a post pandemic dip to 38% (in 2021 and 2022), however, the average amount spent has fallen to $78 compared to $88 before Covid hit, according to the latest category insights by m1nd-set. The data also shows that alcohol footfall increased during the first two years following the pandemic, before declining back toward pre-Covid levels (2017-Q1 2020) in Q4 2023. “Duty free alcohol buyers in Q4 2023...

Dr. Peter Mohn, Owner and CEO at m1nd-set at the 2023 TR Consumer Forum. Men have a higher conversion rate and spend more when shopping in travel retail, says new research from m1nd-set. The insights, which drill down on the differences in shopping habits of men versus women in the channel, shows that 45% of men entered duty free shops in 2023 compared to 44% of women. Furthermore, 29% of men purchased one or more products in the shops compared to 26% of women purchased. The data from the Swiss research agency shows a...

King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) has unveiled the first stage of its much-vaunted duty free expansion project across Terminals 3 and 4. His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Ayman Abu Ababa, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), inaugurated the overhauled duty free market – understood to be partially open at this stage – at Terminal 3 earlier this week. The visit coincided with an inspection of the site to develop the international Terminals 1 and 2. Lagardère Travel Retail runs duty free exclusively in T1 and T2 under its existing concession contract, which it won as part of a consortium with Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC) and Arabian Ground Handling Logistic Company in 2016, with rights extending to the new T3 and...

Influential speakers will unpack the most effective strategies for understanding and engaging with today’s travelling consumers at the 2024 TR Consumer Forum, which is taking place from 3-5 June in Dubai, supported by Dubai Duty Free as Host Sponsor. TRBusiness and esteemed research partner m1nd-set have revealed details of the consumer-centric global conference agenda, curated under the theme of ‘Turning Expectations into Reality, Catering to Travel Retail’s New Consumer’. The first wave of speakers have been confirmed alongside, with senior executives from leading airports, retailers, brands and other stakeholders set to take to the stage to deliver a dynamic and interactive conference experience that’s packed with actionable insights. A wealth of knowledge will be shared with delegates throughout the...

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) has adopted a new identity: the Duty Free and Travel Retail Association of the Americas. In a dual announcement, attendees to the opening conference of the Summit of the Americas on Monday 15 April heard that this year’s event is the last to take place in West Palm Beach before moving to Miami in 2025. Speaking during the opening plenary session, IAADFS Chairman René Riedi confirmed that membership to the new entity is now open to stakeholders across all channels (whereas previously airport duty free concessionaire companies only enjoyed the benefits of full membership, with additional associate supplier and buyer membership tiers – Ed). Categories have been streamlined to three: operators, suppliers and honorary members in a move designed to foster greater...