“A celebration of the human spirit” —The Travel Retail Superstars Awards Winners revealed

Martin Moodie, Spark Group of Companies CEO & Founder Heidi Van Roon and Flash global Logistics Global Director of People & Culture Marcus Griffin announced the winners of the inaugural TR Superstars awards

“(Right) Carol and (left) Andrezza’s actions have shown that consumers and sales staff come first. After going through what was the most challenging times in their professional careers, they always put the consumer and the sales staff first in every initiative discussed between themselves and Victorinox.” — Victorinox

“The company changed gears to begin handling medical equipment,medical supplies, and renewable energy equipment during the pandemic. Masks, COVID-19 test kits, ventilators, and other equipment surged into the U.S. as traditional transportation options took a backseat to dedicated trucks and chartered planes.” — Sean Gazitua

“Day in, day out from Fraser and Julie, despite the restrictions enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, they have sought to give the highest level of service to our customers using every means at their disposal, often thinking outside the box to make things happen.” — Luggage Point

“Through close partnership and collaboration, both ARI and Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail have mutually benefited in numerous ways. Neither party could have foreseen the obstacles that would face the team, the industry and indeed the wider global impact.” — Pernod Ricard

“For those 18 months, the group of dedicated DDF brand ambassadors demonstrated an incredible level of discipline & grit, wresting control of this unprecedented situation and transforming it to an opportunity for self-improvement. We stand humbly on the shoulders of these giants; as such we believe we owe them our thanks and support.” — Pernod Ricard

“The Ops and HR Teams in particular were at the centre of DDF’s rapid response to the COVID-19 crisis and have played a central role in keeping the workforce safe, engaged, productive and resilient…by putting people first, creating a safe environment and enabling new ways of operating.” — Dubai Duty Free

“Alejandro is a true brand ambassador and a passionate, experienced watch salesperson. His knowledge of the industry, brand and overall generosity of sharing his knowledge with everyone makes him a true star individual.” — Victorinox

“Marie-Lise showed what a true leader she is and hired a phenomenal new team, without being able to meet any of them in person. With this new team she was able to keep the company cash flow positive even though all the stores were closed and we had no revenue to speak of for four months.” — ARI North America

“Kenny Wong deserves this award for bringing to life the convivial cocktail experience in store and driving team morale, building excitement with travellers and building consumer confidence within the store environment, and providing shop floor insight to the team when airside access was restricted.” – Pernod Ricard

“Her compassion, commitment, and loyalty reach every person in our business. Her strength, initiative, and support through the darkest days of our industry has been a guiding light to many…I often find people unknowingly turn to Sarah for her guidance and input.” — Stephen Mascarenhas, ARI Auckland

“Rosalie Kirkman deserves the award for her dedication and professionalism to give customers the best possible service. Her energy and effort are incredible for a woman who continues to push the boundaries and continues to lead by example after 40 years delighting customers at LHR.” — William Grant and Sons

“Collette is the only team member who has worked full time since April 2020 to now, and without her commitment to the business we would not have been able to generate the sales we have.” — 3Sixty Duty Free & More

“Ali is one of DDF’s finest employees with an extraordinary customer service skill. His polite and friendly nature makes it easy for customers to approach him. One would always see him handing over shopping baskets, looking for customers that require assistance, answering customers queries and helping them pack their goods when required. His service has always been nothing less than exemplary.” — Dubai Duty Free

“Wendy has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the core duty free stores at HIA and in the opening of numerous new boutiques and F&B outlets across an extremely challenging backdrop” — Thabet Musleh

“We’re so proud of the way Crystal saw a passenger in need and exceeded expectations for service, kindness, and care. Crystal lives and breathes customer service excellence, which goes well beyond the boundaries of our airport stores and restaurants and strives to positively impact the lives of passengers every day.” — Paradies Lagardère

“Every week, every month, Laura has found a way of recognising performance, backing up corporate programs like our Excellence Awards and Quarterly Recognitions, and is always saying that we need to find a way of recognising our teams out there, that they have gone through a lot – not thinking about herself and her own personal health battle.” — 3Sixty Duty Free & More

“The BA’s commitment to sell during these trying times does expose the true resilience of Walid and Ziad. They have taken this time to maximise sales to the full potential knowing full well passengers have been few and far between. A discovery they share during these trying times is that challenges make us stronger and maybe even achieve better.” — Pernod Ricard

“When faced with the choice to either accept or fight the challenges thrown at ARI Auckland in the last 12 months, Mel has always chosen to fight. She has fought for the jobs of 240 employees and for a business that she has helped to charter through some particularly rough seas…she is an inspiration to all around her.” — ARI Auckland

“Throughout lockdown, the team consistently led a holistically resilient ‘rebellion’ against restrictions by providing a compelling 360 consumer experience both online and via relevant cross category activation in a safe, reassuring way to maintain passenger confidence in duty free. The collaboration and partnership spirit with the Dufry Global team has re-inspired the channel.” — Pernod Ricard

“The Home Delivery channel has earned DDF a new segment of happy customers as well as giving the experience and confidence needed to set up and operate a totally new revenue stream as an airport retailer. Above all, it has been a huge team effort…and has kept hundreds of its staff busy at work during the darker days of the pandemic.”

“Sean brings tremendous positive energy and industry knowledge to the workplace and has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the last 18 months as he navigated the company’s direction in these uncertain times.” — WTDC

“Without exception, Gregg Paradies puts the organisation ahead of any personal interest or goal and emerged as a beacon of hope, inspiration, and trust.” — Paradies Lagardère

“When a colleague was threatened with Covid-19 and having to self-isolate for weeks, the team’s agility, humanity & leadership shone through. Their teamwork exceeded any expectation as two competing agencies supported one another and achieved maximised sales and improved efficiency, showing the importance of humanity and how a new team spirit can shine through for a business.” — Pernod Ricard

“In such times of crisis, we stepped up as a team on social activism towards our airport community and beyond. The numerous efforts by our team have allowed us to demonstrate our Group’s values and our team’s commitment towards our social responsibilities in the pandemic. We hope these efforts will inspire learning, optimism, activism and wellness amongst our employees, communities and beyond.” — Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore

“The livelihood of the company and entire staff was at stake, yet Rakhita was undaunted and rallied all the staff spread across our 12 operating locations across Asia with his bold and resounding words, ‘We will survive and we will continue.’” — King Power Traveler