Hellenic Duty Free Shops is expecting sales rises in secondary airports and port shops with stable sales elsewhere, according to Trivizas Costas, Director, Hellenic Distributions SA Management consultant.

Costas says he is hoping for sales increases in the ferry, cruise and cargo ship markets this year and especially after ‘a difficult year for cargo ships supplies’ in 2013 and particularly in the product categories of liquor and tobacco. “On cruisers it was a good year, with perfume and confectionery increasing,” he said.

Responding to ^exclusive 2014 Global Industry Survey, Costas said: “Travel retail in airport duty free shops will increase in secondary airports mainly due to charters flights. Port duty free shops will also increase due to cruisers. Border shops will be stable and main airport duty free shops too.”

Asked which operations have impressed him most over the last year, he referred to the MSC Preciosa cruise ship as the first he has seen so far with a Victoria’s Secret corner.

He described it as ‘a very luxurious ship with a lot of retail space and big variety of merchandise’. In addition he paid tribute to Aegean Airlines – a small regional airline – that nevertheless offers an ‘excellent bar box with travel retail items’.

[TOP IMAGE: the MSC Preciosa cruise ship].