Travel Retail Training Ltd (TRT) and the Duty Free World Council (DFWC) confirmed today that both organisations have agreed to support the creation of a Duty Free and Travel Retail Education Academy.

 

This follows a meeting of individuals representing airport retailers, airlines, brand companies and trade associations, who all came together in London to discuss the need and viability of a Duty Free and Travel Retail Academy.

 

According to TRT Managing Director Christine Martin (see below), the consensus view amongst the gathering was that the Academy should create Duty Free and Travel Retail specific knowledge and competencies to drive standards through education.

 

Importantly, it was also decided that a verification of knowledge and competency would be vital to ensure quality assurance and confidence in these future Academy initiatives.

 

 

 INDUSTRY FEEDBACK EXERCISE

This decision followed the circulation of more than 4,000 questionnaires to individuals working in the DF&TR industry to gauge their views on this initiative and its associated benefits. Again, the response here was positive towards the benefits that an Academy could provide to the industry.

 

 

With this in mind, Professor Paul Freathy from Stirling University was invited to share his extensive knowledge and expertise relating to industry-led skills academies. Stirling has an excellent global reputation in the area of Retail and has collaborated with Aer Rianta on industry specific management programmes.

 

 

Martin reports that he provided the Task Force with an invaluable insight into the potential pitfalls and explained how ‘Strategy over Structure’ will ‘ensure the success’ of the Academy set-up phase and beyond.

 

 

Commenting on what appears to be an extremely worthwhile initiative, Christine Martin said: “The level of response to the questionnaire from all Industry stakeholder groups and from all corners of the globe, has given us a very clear indication of the Industry’s desire for, and support of an Academy.

 

 

 AN ACADEMY TO BE PROUD OF…

“I have no doubt that due to the high calibre of the Task Force, the Duty Free and Travel Retail Industry will have an Academy it can be proud of.”

 

 

The statement to the press today added that the discussions and the questionnaire results will now form the basis of an overall strategy, which will be presented to the DFWC Board, by TRT in Orlando next month.

 

Paul Freathy and Frank O’Connell were also co-authors of the excellent European Airport Retailing’ book which concentrated on Growth Strategies for the New Millenium, featuring interviews and views from across the industry, including those of this veteran writer.

 

 

For further information on the proposed Academy and how to lend support or get involved, please contact Christine Martin at: [email protected]

 

 

Additionally, anyone in the industry who would like to complete the Academy questionnaire can do this by following this link: http://people1stsurveys.co.uk/tra/  (all completed questionnaires back by 6 March please).