The workshops at Innovation Square have been designed to spotlight the latest industry research and deliver timely perspectives. Photo: TFWA Press Office.

Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has shared the details of two market insight workshops that are set to take place within the new Innovation Square space at this year’s World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes.

The first titled, ‘World in Flux: Travel Retail Amid Today’s Geopolitical Realities’, will explore how the industry is responding to an increasingly unpredictable global environment.

Featuring findings from a tailored report by global consultancy Kearney, the session will look at how geopolitical tensions and economic volatility are reshaping travel patterns and consumer sentiment, states TFWA, by examining key risks, emerging market shifts and strategic responses aimed at building resilience.

The workshop will take place on Tuesday 30 September from 08:00 to 09:00, with a welcome coffee served from 08:00.

The second workshop, ‘Next Horizon: Charting the Future of Travel Retail’, will take place ton Wednesday 1 October, once again starting at 08:00.

Zooming out from the granularity of the industry, this session will aim to answer the question: ‘What is the long-term role of duty free and travel retail in an evolving world?’

The panellists will explore the future of airport shopping, based on a new foresight report by Le Comptoir Prospectiviste.

The authors of the report will present their key findings and offer stakeholders from all corners advice on adapting to stay relevant and how best to deliver value.

“Learning is and will always be a central focus for us at TFWA,” said the association’s President Philippe Margueritte.

“The intent behind hosting these early-morning workshops is to provoke debate and share best practice, making every moment spent amongst industry colleagues in Cannes as valuable as possible.”

Innovation Square is making its debut at the 2025 Cannes summit as a new platform for ‘discovery, insight and engagement’.

It will be located on the parvis in front of the Palais des Festivals, with the 25m x 15m tented venue offering a versatile, fully equipped space for plug-and-play, multi-format programming.

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