The Moodie Davitt Report - The Moodie Davitt Report

Virtual Travel Retail Expo attracts 100 exhibitor companies representing hundreds of brands

Exhibitors of all sizes are seizing the opportunity to connect with business partners at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo against the challenging background of the COVID-19 crisis. Read More
“An important step in a long journey back:” MSC Cruises to restart operations in the Mediterranean

MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will restart seven-day sailings from 16 and 29 August respectively, in a big boost to the cruiseline and to its MSC Retailing arm. Read More
Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport launches COVID-19 laboratory tender

The planned laboratory at the major gateway to the state comes as Israel prepares to ease travel restrictions and to “open the sky”. Read More
COVID-19 Update: Global case tally approaches 20 million

We bring you all the latest news on the global pandemic, viewed with particular reference to the aviation, tourism and travel retail sectors. Read More
#TimeForTravel: Qatar Airways extends US flight network

#TimeforTravel is our chosen hashtag as we report on the steady reopening of the aviation, tourism and travel retail sectors. LATEST: Qatar Airways set to resume flights to Houston and Philadelphia. Read More
The Moodie Blog: Bloody Shiraz, bloody good

I tried it with tonic (given COVID-19, it had to be Fever-Tree) to balance the sweetness. Then I tried it straight. Gin straight? I tell you, well chilled and on the rocks (the gin, not me) it was a revelation. Read more
Travelex agrees rescue deal but announces more than 1,300 UK job losses

A deal struck by administrator PwC on behalf of the foreign exchange specialist safeguards many jobs across the group but also means the loss of over 1,300 roles in the UK, including at airports. Read More
Shiseido hit hard by COVID-19 but sees “encouraging momentum” in China and Korean travel retail

Hainan and South Korea are leading Shiseido’s travel retail recovery as a tough H1 culminated in a -34.4% reported Q2 sales decline. The COVID-19 crisis is accelerating the company’s digital and China strategies. Read More
Lagardère Travel Retail makes Japan debut with ‘Made in Pierre Hermé’ concept at Tokyo Station

It is the first of several openings planned by Lagardère Travel Retail and Pierre Hermé, a contemporary F&B concept created by the renowned pâtissier. Read More
ACI Europe: “If the recovery does not accelerate significantly, many airports will simply run out of money”

ACI Europe says that the slow pace of recovery in regional air traffic, with some states reimposing travel restrictions, puts airports’ viability at risk. Read More
Dufry and Lotte Duty Free executives become latest Virtual Travel Retail Expo draw winners

Dufry Global Category Director Manuela Facheris and Lotte Duty Free (Oceania) General Manager Marketing Allisha Parker go into the latest Dubai Duty Free prize draws, having signed up for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Read More
Trip.com Group and AirAsia.com unveil strategic alliance to boost travel revival in China and Southeast Asia

The partnership will see Trip.com Group and AirAsia.com collaborate on popular products and services across both digital platforms. Trip.com, parent company of Virtual Travel Retail Expo exhibitor Ctrip, is a leading one-stop travel service provider. Read More
Beirut Duty Free partners back fund-raising drive for victims of tragedy

Donations will go to the Lebanese Red Cross and the Dafa Campaign to support victims of the devastating explosion in Beirut this week; read on for details of how to contribute. Read More
A new digital shopper journey: The Experiential Column in association with CircleSquare

We bring you the latest in our column series from experiential marketing, brand activation and consumer engagement specialist CircleSquare. Read More

Brand News
Travel Blue extends Zürich Airport presence with Orell Füssli Thalia

Travel Blue partners with local retailer Orell Füssli Thalia to build its presence at the Swiss hub. Read More
Game, Set, Match Point: Coty reveals new masculine fragrance from Lacoste

Game, set, match: The Match Point fragrance bottle pays tribute to Lacoste’s tennis heritage and features a tennis-ball imprinted bottom and tennis racquet-inspired bottle cap. It is now available in worldwide travel retail. Read More
Marshall Retail Group launches Gotham News and striking art concept at LaGuardia Terminal B

The striking eight-foot tall installation by the Gotham News store showcases the diverse history and community of Queens and New York City. Read More
Coty reveals new feminine fragrance from Marc Jacobs

The new feminine scent, Perfect Marc Jacobs, was launched in worldwide travel retail on 1 August. It takes inspiration from Jacobs’ mantra of ‘I am perfect as I am’. Read More
Tous recognised for corporate responsibility and sustainable practices in 100th year

The Responsible Jewellery Council commended the family-owned company for its efforts to “inspire, take action and commit towards a journey of purpose and continuous improvement.” Read More
Hennessy celebrates soft opening of flagship boutique at CDF Mall in Sanya

In a landmark moment for both brand and retailer, Hennessy has soft opened its boutique at CDF Mall in Haitang Bay, Sanya on Hainan island – the Cognac brand’s first boutique in Mainland China. Read More
Two classic brands converge: Bowmore and Aston Martin unveil £50,000 collaborative whisky launch

Take one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies and a legendary motor car. Marry them in a pioneering concept of equal parts and you have what must rank as one of the notable – and, at £50,000 a bottle, Read More
Virtual Travel Retail Expo Exhibitor Update: Nuxe makes Summer splash with Huile Prodigieuse limited editions

Each bottle of this eye-catching line extension incorporates a swimming pool theme, designed by students from prestigious French Art and Design School Penninghen. Read More
Communicating in Crisis: Ralph Lauren teams up with Snap Inc. to launch shoppable virtual range

We have refocused our popular ‘This Week on Instagram’ column to highlight how different brands — across different categories — are communicating with their audiences during these unprecedented times. Read More
Loch Lomond Whiskies reaffirms travel retail focus with new packaging and exclusive expressions

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo partner’s extensive brand refresh for its Loch Lomond single malts includes revamped packaging and three new exclusive expressions. Read More
Shannon Retail Innovation launches inclusive makeup brand Jecca Blac into travel retail

Beauty for all colours of the rainbow: Jecca Blac is a makeup brand that caters to all genders, sexualities, expressions, abilities, pronouns, shapes and sizes. Read More
“A year of two halves”: Diageo outlines scale of COVID-19 impact

North America outperformed other regions for drinks powerhouse Diageo in the year to 30 June; travel retail in all regions was sharply affected by the decline in travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Op-Ed: The changing face of global beauty as a result of COVID-19

Our new Op-Ed series* features the views of Vincent McDermott, Founder and Director of Dublin-based TR Partners, a new enterprise formed last October. Read More

Food & Beverage
Lagardère Travel Retail makes Japan debut with ‘Made in Pierre Hermé’ concept at Tokyo Station

It is the first of several openings planned by Lagardère Travel Retail and Pierre Hermé, a contemporary F&B concept created by the renowned pâtissier. Read More
Tallink Grupp outlines impact of COVID-19 as Q2 retail and dining sales fall sharply

The cruise-ferry group reports a -81.6% fall in shop and restaurant sales in the quarter, against a decline of -85% in passenger traffic caused by COVID-19. Read More
Innovating in crisis: OTG introduces mobile order + delivery technology across airport restaurants & gate lounges

The new mobile order capability from OTG ensures fully contactless experience, allowing travellers to order food and drinks using a mobile device and have it delivered directly to their seat. CEO Rick Blatstein talks exclusively to Martin Moodie. Read More
Copenhagen Airports concession revenues fall by over -50% in first half

The airport company is considering laying off 25% of its full-time workforce as the crisis continues to bite, and forecasts sharp falls in revenue and profits for full-year 2020. Read More
Reimagining airports & travel retail: Webinar to advocate a customer-centric, media-led approach and a new revenue model

Portland Design Managing Director Ibrahim Ibrahim reveals his take on what lies ahead for the industry in a fascinating Q&A about the upcoming Airports: From Here to Where? event. Read More
A taste of Tropical North Queensland: Cairns Airport completes A$55 million domestic terminal upgrade

The 10,000sq m project includes 2,000sq m of new retail and food & beverage outlets which feature a number of concepts with a strong Sense of Place. Read More
Chicago Department of Aviation issues commercial RFPs at O’Hare and Midway airports

The Chicago Department of Aviation issues its latest concession opportunities at Chicago O’Hare and Midway International airports via The Moodie Davitt Report. Read More
Lagardère Travel Retail revenue slides -55% in first half on COVID-19 impact

Lagardère Travel Retail revenue in July is expected to be around -65% lower year-on-year, after falling -55% in the first half, with a modest upturn in business expected in the second half. Read More

Features
DFS acquires a 22% stake in Shenzhen Duty Free Ecommerce Co

“Our future is highly digital, and very focused on China. Our customers associate shopping at DFS with a truly experiential level of luxury, and we are excited to mirror that experience for them digitally,” says the LVMH/Robert Miller-owned travel retailer. Read More
Hennessy celebrates soft opening of flagship boutique at CDF Mall in Sanya

In a landmark moment for both brand and retailer, Hennessy has soft opened its boutique at CDF Mall in Haitang Bay, Sanya on Hainan island – the Cognac brand’s first boutique in Mainland China. Read More
Two classic brands converge: Bowmore and Aston Martin unveil £50,000 collaborative whisky launch

Take one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies and a legendary motor car. Marry them in a pioneering concept of equal parts and you have what must rank as one of the notable – and, at £50,000 a bottle, Read More
Innovating in crisis: OTG introduces mobile order + delivery technology across airport restaurants & gate lounges

The new mobile order capability from OTG ensures fully contactless experience, allowing travellers to order food and drinks using a mobile device and have it delivered directly to their seat. CEO Rick Blatstein talks exclusively to Martin Moodie. Read More
Lotte Duty Free’s 40th Anniversary project wins Red Dot Award

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Lotte Duty Free hasn’t been able to celebrate its 40th anniversary in the way it would have liked. But two major design awards will come as a welcome solace. Read More
Op-Ed: The changing face of global beauty as a result of COVID-19

Our new Op-Ed series* features the views of Vincent McDermott, Founder and Director of Dublin-based TR Partners, a new enterprise formed last October. Read More
Fraport Group first-half retail revenue slumps by -53.9% as traffic ‘reaches bottom of the trough’ in Q2

Such was the extent of the traffic collapse that Fraport did not report net retail revenues due to them not being comparable in any way with the same period a year earlier. Read More
MSC Cruises prepares for potential summer restart in the Mediterranean with ‘best-in-class’ retail protocols in place

“We have developed a framework which we truly believe will be market-leading in the cruise retail sector,” says MSC Head of Retail Adrian Pittaway as MSC marries customer safety with customer experience in a potential summer restart. Read More