Travel retail trade prepares to meet at TFWA fair

Loewe and Crocs are among the exciting new exhibitors at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026, which will bring together the travel retail industry from September 27 to October 1 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

The exhibition will showcase many of the world's leading travel retail brands spanning cosmetics, fragrances, fashion, food, tobacco, wines and spirits, including Campari, Bulgari, Clarins Group, Chanel, Ferrero and Longchamp. Among the brands making their debut in Cannes are Crocs, Loewe, Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, Eau Thermale Avène, Bioderma, Anua, Molinari, Atyab Al Marshoud and A L'Olivier.

Conference line-up

Kicking off the event, the TFWA World Conference takes place on Monday 28 September under the theme Shaping the World of Travel Retail. TFWA President Sarah Branquinho will open the conference with her state of the industry address; she will be joined by David McWilliams, Gilles Roucolle and Charles Duhigg to share their perspectives on the forces underpinning the industry. The conference will be moderated by Stephen Sackur. 

A workshop programme will bring together leading experts to examine the trends, challenges and opportunities. On Tuesday 29 September, Pierre-Alexandre Koch and Denise van Wijk of Oliver Wyman will present findings from an exclusive TFWA study on opportunities for customer growth, while Marina Giuliano of Amadeus will explore the forces reshaping global mobility and where the next wave of travel demand could emerge.

On Wednesday 30 September, Anna Marchesini of m1nd-set will examine changing traveller behaviours and opportunities for growth in fashion, followed by Victor Dijon and Alex Liu of Kearney, who will present findings from an exclusive TFWA study on how AI can turn consumer data into growth.

TFWA Start up Day is back on Thursday 1 October 2026. Alongside TFWA’s partner, Mondelez International World Travel Retail, solutions and services companies such as Altavia Travel Retail, blynk, CXG, DWS, Illuminete x Trinax and Voiceback Analytics will present their innovations.

Purpose-driven initiatives

Alongside its business programme, TFWA is reinforcing its commitment to social impact through two purpose-driven initiatives. Delegates will be invited to support The Moodie Davitt Report’s #KickCancerThon, a fundraising campaign for cancer research and awareness inspired by the late Sinead Moodie, by cycling on stationary bikes installed in front of the Palais des Festivals. Collectively generated kilometres cycled will convert to financial contributions from TFWA to the cancer research programme at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.

Additionally, the Yes We Cannes! Handisport initiative will promote inclusion and accessibility through adaptive sports activities.

Qatar Duty Free returns as the main partner of the TFWA Lounge networking space. Brand partners, including Haribo, Heineken, Lakrids by Bülow, Liviko Crafter’s, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail (presenting its Drink More Water campaign), Pringles, Santa Margherita, Seeberger, Storck, Walker’s Shortbread and Wonderful Pistachios, will also contribute to the Lounge experience.

Heinemann supercharges cruise retail presence

Heinemann Americas has launched a bold new cruise retail concept onboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, delivering first-at-sea exclusives and redefining immersive shopping at sea.

With 10 retail venues onboard, the vessel features exclusive Royal Caribbean logo merchandise, fine watches and fashion jewellery, fragrances and cosmetics, as well as vintage luxury leather goods and timepieces. A standout highlight is a collection of prestige and rare spirits, crafted to surprise and captivate connoisseurs.

The beauty offer onboard Star of the Seas

The new retail offer builds on the success of Icon of the Seas, with a focus on curated exclusivity, elevated design and category innovation across four distinct store formats.

The liquor experience onboard Star of the Seas introduces several first-at-sea features, including personalised backwalls for Macallan, Hennessy and Patrón, a dedicated Johnnie Walker gondola, and a limited-edition Louis XIII monogrammed box hand-decorated exclusively for the ship, with only 30 pieces available globally. Among the rare offerings is a bottle of Loch Lomond 50yo, one of just 100 worldwide, retailing at $34,999. The store also debuts multiple exclusive barrel programmes, such as Angel's Envy – selected by Heinemann’s team as a first-at-sea – and the rare O.F.C Bourbon 1985.

Luxury timepieces are available in branded shop-in-shop formats from Cartier, Hublot, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Longines, Rado and Norquain, a new brand for Heinemann. Swiss Crown complements the offer with a curated selection of pre-owned Rolex watches.

Cartier's shop-in-shop onboard Star of the Seas

Meanwhile, the logo merchandise store presents a new collection designed exclusively for Star of the Seas, featuring fashion-forward apparel, collectibles and a children’s line. The Vineyard Vines x Royal Caribbean co-branded range – introduced on Icon and Utopia – returns with a refreshed capsule, adding a familiar and updated touch to the retail experience.

“With Star of the Seas, we continue our mission to elevate cruise retail through storytelling, exclusivity and unforgettable experiences,” said Nicolas Hoeborn, CEO of Heinemann Americas. “This launch is a testament to our strong partnership with Royal Caribbean and our shared vision for the future of travel retail.”

The Collection store offers second-hand Louis Vuitton merchandise

Together with Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas ranks among the largest cruise ships in the world, measuring 365 metres in length and accommodating up to 5,610 guests and 2,850 crew members. It is the sixth Royal Caribbean vessel to feature Heinemann’s retail offer, following Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

TFWA welcomes top brands to Cannes fair

Tax Free World Association (TFWA) is welcoming leading brands such as Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Coach, Zegna, Bally and Ralph Lauren to the 2025 TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.

This year’s fair takes place from 28 September to 2 October 2025 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

Familiar names in luggage and leather goods such as Bally, Bric’s, Tumi, Samsonite and Delsey have also confirmed their participation in this year’s edition.

Powerhouses including Lacoste, Longchamp, Paul & Shark and Victorinox will have a bigger presence this year, while making a welcome return will be Furla, Napapijri and Coach, joining regular exhibitors Lancel, Coccinelle and Le Tanneur. A strong presence is also expected from leading eyewear groups including EssilorLuxottica, Safilo, Thélios, Marcolin and De Rigo.

The 2025 edition will also see a significant upswing in the number of brands showing at the Harbour Village with 30 official boats confirmed, up from 19 last year. For the first time, the Harbour Village will be fully integrated within the exhibition.

Top travel retailers including Avolta, Lagardère, Gebr Heinemann, 3Sixty, Dubai Duty Free and Qatar Duty Free have confirmed large delegations, while major international airports, airlines and cruise operators will also be attending.

Delegates will hear from high-calibre speakers during the TFWA Conference on Monday, 29 September. Two workshops, World in Flux: Travel Retail Amid Today’s Geopolitical Realities and Next Horizon: Charting the Future of Travel Retail, will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Innovation on show

The new Innovation Square will host the two workshops in addition to private evening events. TFWA’s ONE2ONE meeting service will provide opportunities for exhibiting brands, key buyers, airports and trade agents to focus on business. The exhibition halls will be open from Monday afternoon through to Thursday.

Registration remains open until the first week of September.

TFWA President Philippe Margueritte said: “It’s gratifying to see that so many of global travel retail’s most prestigious brands are planning to join us once again in Cannes for what is undoubtedly one of the most important events in our calendar. We look forward to welcoming these high-profile established names plus new game-changing tastemaker brands to TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in September."

A Rolex retailtainment experience on the seas

German duty-free operator Gebr Heinemann, through its 100% subsidiary Heinemann Americas Inc, has debuted 14 retail venues onboard Royal Caribbean International’s new ship Icon of the Seas. In a significant development, the shopping experience spans pre-loved luxury goods from leading brands Rolex and Hermès.

The stores offer an exclusive selection of Royal Caribbean branded logo merchandise, in addition to fine watches, fine and fashion jewellery, spirits, perfumes and cosmetics, and vintage luxury leather goods and watches.

Prestigious brands include Chanel in the beauty category, while Cartier and Hublot watches are being offered in a multi-brand store. This store also includes certified pre-owned Rolex. Notably, the first-at-sea Omega boutique has been introduced.

The Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the Seas

Brands new to the cruise channel include Sunday Riley, Bond No.9, Parfums de Marly, Kylie Cosmetics, Supergoop, Sol de Janeiro and Casamigos. A store offers certified pre-owned luxury handbags with exclusive models from Hermès, Louis Vuitton and others, as well as watches. Here, guests can purchase unique and rare products. The selection features a co-branded collection with US clothing label Vineyard Vines and an Icon of the Seas-exclusive Woodford Reserve whiskey.

Strategically positioned throughout the ship, the stores are found in key areas like the vibrant Royal Promenade, the picturesque Central Park and the family-friendly Surfside. These retail spaces provide guests with immersive retailtainment experiences, according to Gebr Heinemann. A team of 35 are on hand to help.

Nicolas Hoeborn, Managing Director of Heinemann Americas Inc, enthused: “We are thrilled to be able to equip this stunning ship with such a diverse and exceptional retail offering. Guests can expect a spectacular assortment and unforgettable shopping experience aboard Icon of the Seas.”

Discussing pre-owned luxury products, Hoeborn added: "Our certified pre-owned products offer luxury brands at affordable prices, great quality, variety and availability. Pre-owned luxury also makes a lot of sense from a sustainability perspective, as these products contribute to the careful use of resources."

The Central Park fine watch stores onboard Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas set sail on its maiden voyage from Miami to the Caribbean in January. The ship is 365 metres long and can accommodate 5,610 guests and 2,850 crew members. As a result of a 2019 tender, this is the fourth Royal Caribbean ship awarded to the travel retailer, which also operates on Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

As a result of the successful partnership that began in 2019, Icon of the Seas is the third new-build launched by Heinemann Americas since the pandemic.

“This achievement firmly cements the travel retailer’s standing as the leading expert for new-builds within the industry,” the company said.

TFWA World Exhibition unveils Cannes programme

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2022 will be held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes from October 2 to 6, kicking off with an insightful conference.

On Monday, October 3, TFWA World Conference will open with an address from TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen, followed by conversations with world-leading figures in economics and branding.

They include David McWilliams, Adjunct Professor of Global Economics at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Business and one of the most authoritative – and entertaining – voices on economics and geopolitics; and Raymond Cloosterman, Founder and CEO of Dutch beauty brand Rituals, who will address brand-building in a changing world.

The conference will also look at life in the metaverse with the help of a global expert on new digital technologies: Swan Sit, Operating Partner of AF Ventures, a Leading Voice on social audio app Clubhouse and former Global Head of Digital Marketing for Nike, Revlon and Estée Lauder.

Two workshop sessions are scheduled on Tuesday, October 4 (The Airport Forum) and Wednesday, October 5 (Innovation in Action).

The Airport Forum session will feature London Heathrow Airport Retail & Property Director Fraser Brown, Seoul Incheon International Airport Corporation Director Duty Free Management Team Sung Bin Im and Istanbul Airport Chief Digital & Commercial Officer Ersin Inankul.

Innovation in Action will look at customer engagement courtesy of speakers including Intelligent Track System Founder & CEO Morten Pankoke and Founder & CEO of Inflyter Wassim Saadé.

TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “This year’s TFWA World Conference will explore the factors that will define business in the post-pandemic world, from pressures on the global economy to changing consumer behaviour. Our programme of speakers features experts in their fields who will provide fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“We are also pleased to restore our programme of workshops, which this year will feature senior executives from some of the world’s leading airports, in addition to the innovators that are finding new ways to improve the ways we sell to travellers. I am very much looking forward to these sessions and look forward to welcoming the global industry to Cannes.”

Those wishing to attend TFWA World Exhibition can register at: https://www.tfwa.com/tfwa-world-exhibition-conference/book-your-place-100004721 

The exhibitor list can be seen on the following link: https://www.tfwa.com/exhibitors/tfwa-world-exhibition-and-conference/2022

Top retailers to attend TFWA World Exhibition

Leading retailers have confirmed their participation in the 2022 TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in October, alongside a very high number of exhibitors, which is close to pre-pandemic levels.

Organisations both large and small that have already signed up for the industry’s must-attend event in Cannes include: Dufry from Hong Kong, King Power from Thailand, Kansai Airports from Japan, Shinsegae Duty Free from Korea, Motta International from Panama, Muscat Duty Free from Oman, and a number of Europe-based operators, such as Gebr Heinemann, Lagardère Travel Retail, Istanbul Airport, Inflight Sales Group, Aer Rianta International, MSC Cruises and Fjord Line.

Held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes from 2 to 6 October 2022, TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will feature a refreshed event programme that includes an additional social element.

This year’s edition will offer plenty of networking opportunities, such as the much-awaited return of the Get Together opening event on Sunday evening, the after-work TFWA Lounge, and a new late-night social concept, hosted on the Carlton Beach.

To attend TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, register at: https://www.tfwa.com/tfwa-world-exhibition-conference/book-your-place-100004721

Companies with soul: Estée Lauder

LET’S DEFEAT BREAST CANCER. WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER.

That’s the motto of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness campaign for 2013 – an uplifting and inspirational call-to-action that aims to shift our focus from awareness of the disease to increased action, advancing us further towards eradicating breast cancer from our lives.

To date, The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign has raised more than $48m to support global research, education and medical services. This year’s campaign is committed to raising $5m to support breast cancer research, education and medical services worldwide.

Over the past 20 years, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, launched by the late Evelyn H. Lauder, co-creator of the Pink Ribbon and founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has been a leading voice for breast cancer awareness globally, sparking a global movement that has helped save millions of lives.

This year’s call-to-action campaign has been launched in the spirit of Mrs Lauder’s vision, seeking to lessen the stigma and deepening awareness across the globe, while raising significant funds for medical research.

William P. Lauder, executive chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies, said: “My mother, Evelyn H. Lauder, believed that no one can defeat breast cancer alone – this spirit of unity is at the heart of our campaign as we bring people together across the globe to defeat this disease.”

Truly a company with soul.