March/April Americas and WB&S issue – out now!

By Faye Bartle | Friday, 27 March 2026 12:40

TRBusiness March/April 2026 — Image Credit: TRBusiness

The March/April issue of TRBusiness magazine, which delves into key dynamics affecting DF&TR stakeholders across the Americas and the wine, beer and spirits (WB&S) category, is out now and ready to view.

Copies are available to Summit of the Americas delegates in Orlando, simply pick them up from the press racks. If you’re navigating the e-zine, please look out for the plus and play buttons for extra content. Plus, please click here to read the e-zine.

First and foremost, the traffic stats are encouraging, with international departures from the Americas expected to reach 403 million in 2026, representing a 127% recovery on 2019, according to IATA data analysed by m1nd-set’s B1S. What’s more the m1nd-set research shows that duty-free shopping behaviour is evolving rapidly, as impulse decision-making rises and experience overtakes price as the leading purchase driver.

The findings are amplified in comments shared by stakeholders for this issue. Our cover star Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, shares how the company is evolving its retail strategy to be more experiential and immersive in her exclusive interview, which starts on page 15, while also giving an insight into what Carnival looks for in retail and brand partners when deciding who to bring onboard.

Carlos Bernal, the newly elected Chair of the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association Board of Directors and CEO of Areas USA CEO, runs us through the key challenges on the radar for its members and calls upon industry players to view shops and F&B outlets as valuable amenities that create a sense of place and help make the airport a window into the local community. Turn to page 24 to read why his believes the MAG model needs a revisit in order to help facilitate this.

Also in this issue, Avolta President and CEO, LatAm & Caribbean, Enrique Urioste, tells us why the powerhouse is confident about Argentina, and the Latin American region as a whole. Executive Retail Shops President James Mullaney talks us through the company’s goals to expand its luxury duty-free retail concept for private jet terminals across the Americas; Fraport Brasil updates on the JJD airport takeover in northeastern Brazil and Paradies Lagardère spotlights the slate of high-profile restaurant brands it is set to open across key airports beginning this spring.

And that’s just the start of it. We’ve packed a lot into this issue, including exclusive interviews with Starboard Group President and CEO Lisa Bauer; Heinemann Americas CEO Nicolas Hoeborn and Harding+ CCO Linzi Walker.

Additionally, we have an 18-page section dedicated to the wine, beer and spirits category. We hope you enjoy the issue!