In memoriam: Seasoned airport commercial executive Frank Gray

With great sadness, TRBusiness reports that respected airport commercial revenues executive Frank Gray has passed away aged 76.

A well-known name in the DF&TR industry, Frank Gray’s storied career saw him make his mark in commercial roles at leading airports before going on to set up consulting firm CPI. He also contributed to TRBusiness over the years.

His daughter Susan Gray, who worked as an Editor at TRBusiness in the late 90s/early 2000s, penned a moving tribute to her late father (shared directly with TRBusiness) as follows:

“I am sad to announce that my father, Frank Gray, has passed away aged 76. Frank was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, an untreatable and incurable neurodegenerative condition, in 2022.

“After spending his career in commercial roles at airports in the UK and USA, recognising the need for independent commercial planning and advice he established his own consultancy with his wife Sandra in 1997. He also established the first specialist training course in airport commercial management back in 2000.

“Frank’s professional legacy lives on with the ongoing success of their consulting firm, CPI, now in the hands of his daughter Susan and son-in-law Jeremy and the training course is still running, having provided specialist development opportunities to hundreds of young talented aviation professionals over the years.”

Snapshots of Frank Gray’s columns from the October 2010 issue of TRBusiness and the January 2004 issue of The Travel Retail Business (as the publication was then known).

She continued: “Frank was born in Barrhead, Scotland in 1949, relocating to England and taking a role with British Airports Authority in the early 70s.

“As a young man he lived in Kenya. Later in life he travelled extensively – particularly enjoying his trips back to Scotland – and enjoyed spending time with his daughter, son and their families.

“He was cared for at home by his wife Sandra until the very end, and died knowing he was much loved.

“In the words of Robbie Burns: ‘If there’s another world, he lives in bliss; / If there is none, he made the best of this’.”

The family is inviting donations to PSPA in Frank’s memory. Image credit: Susan Gray / https://frank-gray1.muchloved.com/

“Frank was a true gentleman of the industry whose reputation was wholly deserved, and he was a valued contributor of TRBusiness in the early history of the magazine,” commented Nigel Hardy, Joint CEO and Co-Owner of TRBusiness.

“He provided inspiration to a huge number of people including his own daughter Susan Gray, a former editorial member of TRBusiness who took over the running of Frank’s company in 2010.”

If you would like to make a donation to PSPA in Frank’s memory, please visit frank-gray1.muchloved.com.

Lotte Duty Free named ‘Excellent Work-Life Balance’ company in 2025

Lotte Duty Free Work-Life Balance Award 2025

Lotte Duty Free’s Park Sang-ho (right) receives the award from Lee Myung-ro.

Lotte Duty Free has been recognised by Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour as a 2025 ‘Excellent Work–Life Balance Company’.

The assessment combines quantitative indicators – such as flexible working schemes and parental-leave uptake – with qualitative measures related to workplace culture and support for employees with childcare responsibilities.

Companies selected for the programme receive a range of incentives, including exemption from routine labour inspections for three years, and additional points when applying for family-friendly and leisure-friendly certifications.

Lotte Duty Free was commended for strengthening its flexible-work and childcare-support systems across the organisation. Around 80% of head-office employees now use staggered start times, while a two-week flexible-work cycle has been introduced across store operations.

The company was also recognised for expanding a range of family-friendly policies and for improving the practical childcare environment for employees.

Lotte Duty Free and the other recipients recognised by Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour as a 2025 ‘Excellent Work–Life Balance Company’.

Lotte has implemented a number of above-standard benefits, including leave for fertility treatment, and extended unpaid prenatal leave of up to ten months. From this year, eligibility for extended parental leave has been increased from age eight to 12.

Elementary-care leave has been made available to both male and female employees for up to one year from school entry to age 12. As a result, Lotte Duty Free reports parental-leave participation rates of 94% for women and 83% for men.

Lotte Duty Free Head of Management Support Park Sang-ho commented: “We are pleased that Lotte Duty Free’s excellent in-house welfare system and corporate culture have been recognised externally. We will continue to support the work-life balance of our employees and strive to make the company an inclusive workplace for all.”

Mars Wrigley ITR talks creating value and bringing experiences to life

Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail

An De Volder, Market Director at Mars Wrigley ITR.

Utilising all opportunities to create value in-store, having a portfolio that responds to the need-states of travellers and bringing M&M’S experiences to life in leading locations are among the top priorities for Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail (ITR) in travel retail.

As An De Volder, Market Director at Mars Wrigley ITR told TRBusiness during the 2025 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, the company is delivering concepts designed especially to drive excitement among Gen Z and millennial travellers.

“M&M’S and Crocs is a fantastic example of that and how we are responding to what a Gen Z person is really looking for – to find something completely different from M&M’S in duty free,” she said.

On the challenge of rising cocoa prices, she explained that Mars Wrigley ITR is tackling this by ensuring the offering spans a range of price points, to appeal to all budgets.

Hit play on the video to hear more about how Mars Wrigley ITR is planning to execute its travel retail strategy, in close collaboration with its partners.

“We all want to create value together and make sure we are able to convert every traveller into somebody to spends something at an airport,” she said.

JTI accelerates HTS strategy with launch of Ploom Aura in GTR

L-R: Yusuke Kawabata, Regional Sales Director, Tobacco Business Japan, Japan Travel Retail; Faye Bartle, Editorial Director, TRBusiness; and Hadi Sleiman, Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications, JTI GTR.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is poised to capitalise on the fast growth of the heated tobacco segment – which JT Group forecasts to be worth more than US$40 billion by 2035 – with its ever-evolving Ploom device and by making global travel retail (GTR) a key part of the strategy. TRBusiness discovers more on location in Japan…

With its striking visuals, inviting layout and speedy personalisation services, JTI’s Ploom boutique with Japan Travel Retail (JTR) at Narita International Airport (NRT) Terminal 2 invites adult travellers to take a pause in their airport journey to discover a sleek and sensory retail experience – as TRBusiness did in October as part of a trade media tour hosted by JTI.

Just like its sister store in T1, the Ploom shop is the launchpad for the new Ploom Aura device, which made its GTR debut at the hub with JTR in July. Two colour variations of Ploom Aura are available through the retailer – Jet Black and Rose Gold – and, at the time of the launch, a selection of front panels with fabric back covers were exclusively stocked.

The fourth-generation device (following S, X and X Advanced) has since been introduced at Tokyo Haneda (HND), Kansai (KIX), Chubu (NGO), Fukuoka (FUK), Naha (OKA) and Shin-Chitose (CTS) airports, as well as in the Lotte Ginza downtown duty-free store in Tokyo. The flagship Narita offering, however, exemplifies how JTI visions activating heated tobacco in travel retail to the best effect.

Crucially, this is because the stores benefit from being complemented by Ploom lounges (there are two at NRT), which give adult travellers the opportunity to have a tasting experience and discover the flavour lineup from Mevius and Camel heated tobacco sticks (HTS) that are available alongside the device (tobacco regular, menthol, berry, citrus and pear, among others), though these are currently being phased out in favour of Evo HTS, which have been optimally designed for Ploom Aura. What’s more, trained Ploom ambassadors are on hand to offer complementary trials, provide detailed information and assist with purchases.

L-R: Kaei Shi, Retail Sales Rep., JTR; Hiroki Nakatsuka, SRP, JTR; Milika Kalyati, Manager, Corporate Affairs & Communications, JTI GTR; Keiichi Yakumaru and JingWei Wang – Ploom experts at JTR; Hadi Sleiman, Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications, JTI GTR; Yusuke Kawabata, Regional Sales Director, Tobacco Business Japan, JTR; and Taro Taniguchi, Marketing Staff, JTR.

A fast-growing segment

The curated spaces and thought that has gone into tapping into how travellers navigate the airport is impressive – and it’s a smart business move. The heated tobacco segment currently delivers an 11% share of tobacco industry net revenues globally, according to a JT Group estimate. This is expected to rise to a 17% share in 2030 and a sizeable 22% share in 2035, at which point the company expects it to generate more than US$40 billion out of a US$200 billion total tobacco pie. It is, therefore, clear to see why the company is investing in the segment – especially considering the forecast shows that the share of revenue from combustibles is set to decline from 75% in 2025 to 62% in 2035.

With JT Group’s FY2024 revenue hitting JP¥3,149.8 billion (approximately US$20.4 billion*) – 92% of which is from its tobacco business (JP¥2,896.6 bn/approx. US$18.8 bn*) – the value of having a smart heated tobacco segment strategy is set to play a significant role in the company’s fortunes moving forward.

Hence, JT Group is investing a sizeable JP¥650 billion in reduced-rick products (RRP), primarily for Ploom, from 2025-2027. In a highly regulated market, however, the growth trajectory – and the ways in which stakeholders can seek to maximise ROI alongside delivering educational and awareness opportunities to adults in the travel retail space – is nuanced.

The Ploom pop-up shop at Narita International Airport T2.

“Although the overall tobacco market (excluding China) is expected to shrink in volume, sales revenue is expected to continue to grow,” Hadi Sleiman, Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, JTI GTR, told TRBusiness. “Of these, the RRP market is expected to grow significantly both in terms of volume and sales revenue, and within RRP, HTS is considered to be the segment with the greatest potential for sustained profit pool growth.

“On the other hand, it is expected that combustibles will remain the largest category in terms of both volume and sales revenue for the next 10 years. Based on this, JTI will focus management resources on HTS and combustibles, which are the most important categories, to achieve medium- to long-term profit growth.”

Strategic rollout

As TRBusiness learnt during a presentation at the JTI HQ in Tokyo, JTI has the third largest tobacco sales volume in the world (excluding China National Tobacco Corp), with its portfolio – which includes Winston, Camel, Mevius, LD and Ploom – available in more than 130 countries. Key markets outside of Japan (41.2%), by share of sales volume, include Taiwan (51%), the Philippines (49.7%), the UK (43.1%) and Russia (37.4%).

The plan for heated tobacco mirrors this closely, though initial focus markets for GTR are, of course, Japan – which has a high take-up of HTS (around 43% of adult nicotine users, according to JTI estimates, compared to single-digits elsewhere around the world) and where vaping is not permitted – as well as Switzerland and Dubai.

Figures from Japan Travel Retail also speak to how the market for smokeless products is evolving. RRP provides a 35.9% share of JTR’s tobacco sales, with 63.8% being combustibles (across its five main airports HND, NRT, FUK NGO and KIX).

Personalisation services at the Ploom pop-up shop at Narita International Airport T2.

Visiting NRT to meet with JTR as part of the trip proved invaluable in understanding how the airport plays a key role in this dynamic with its high share of international passengers (pax) and mix of nationalities passing through. The hub serves 33% of JTR’s total pax exposure, with the largest nationality groups, aside from Japanese travellers, being Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean.

Recently, a fresh prospect has arisen to build brand affinity among Taiwanese adult travellers.

“The approval for the sale of Ploom in Taiwan, combined with the strong presence of Taiwanese travellers in Japan, presents a significant opportunity to boost HTS sales through Japan’s travel retail channels,” Yusuke Kawabata, Regional Sales Director, Tobacco Business Japan, JTR, told TRBusiness. “Taiwanese consumers are already familiar with HTS products and often view Japan as a trusted shopping destination. By offering targeted promotions, exclusive travel editions, and multilingual marketing in key Japanese airports, brands can capture this high-value customer segment and drive incremental sales both in travel retail and post-trip purchases.”

A distinctive showcase

A point to note is that, currently in Japan, there’s no requirement for health warning images on HTS products, meaning more space for branding and/or educational messages on the cartons.

Left: More than two million Ploom Aura devices had been sold (domestic and travel retail). Right: JTI has come a long way since it first launched HTS in 2019.

“At present, there are no formal indications that Japan will introduce health warning images on HTS products in the near term,” said Kawabata. “Japan’s regulatory approach to HTS remains distinct from that of traditional tobacco, focusing more on product safety and quality standards. Brands remain agile and prepared to adapt to potential policy changes.”

The shops and lounges at NRT feel like a joined-up experience, yet with a clear path to purchase.

Kawabata explained the thinking behind the concept: “The trading environment for HTS in JTR (or travel retail as a whole) is set to become more dynamic and experience-driven, shaped by growing consumer demand for innovation, personalisation, and reduced-risk products.

“As regulations stabilise and awareness increases, travellers will seek premium, tech-forward products with clear quality assurances and sustainability credentials. Going forward, immersive retail experiences – such as interactive product demos, digital engagement, and exclusive travel editions – will be key to attracting and retaining HTS consumers in the travel retail space – most of which we are already offering through our Ploom activations in Japan Travel Retail.

Catching the bullet train to Kyoto.

JTR says the Ploom Aura activation underscores its long-term commitment to being a leader in the HTS segment – not just in Japan, but globally – through ‘proactive, bold and dynamic brand experiences coupled with innovative and current, consumer-centric propositions’.

“Additionally, it includes state-of-the-art, digital interactive visuals and touchpoints positioned in designated spaces throughout the airports, a Ploom flagship store, as well as pop-up and high-profile promozone,” said Kawabata. “Also, look out for the launch of the Ploom Club online shop – coming soon to Japan Travel Retail.”

Tasting lounge evolution

At the time of writing (October 2025), more than two million Ploom Aura devices had been sold (domestic and travel retail). More than half of Ploom Aura customers have been converted from previous customers.

A glimpse inside the JT Group factory in Kansai.

JTI has invested in smoking lounges for decades but its latest crop, like the ones at NRT, are advancing how they can be leveraged in the channel.

“As we expand our commitment to Ploom, our latest innovation in the RRP category, we’re redefining what the modern smoking lounge can be,” said Sleiman. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve developed a new and forward-thinking dual lounge concept, representing an exciting new chapter in the enhancement of an inclusive travel experience for all adult consumers.

“These dual lounges bring together dedicated zones for both heated tobacco (Ploom) and combustible products (such as Winston, Camel, Mevius), creating – for the first time – a truly unique, differentiated, consumer-first environment that reflects the evolving preferences of adult tobacco consumers.

“Our strategy emphasises flexibility, visibility and inclusivity. Whether through dual lounges offering a balanced mix of heated tobacco and combustible products, or through dedicated Ploom corners seamlessly integrated within existing lounges, every space is designed to elevate the brand experience and meet consumers wherever they are.”

The JT Group factory in Kansai.

The move is designed to amplify the presence of these dedicated spaces to legal-smoking-age travellers. Said Sleiman: “At its core, the vision of this next-generation lounge is about inclusiveness – providing welcoming spaces that cater to diverse and varying preferences, while continuing to innovate and adapt to the future of tobacco consumption.”

Factory settings

While in Japan, TRBusiness visited the JT Group factory in Kansai, which is just two hours’ away by bullet train, to learn more about the production process (see the online version of this article at TRBusiness.com for a video showcasing the inner workings of the factory).

Witnessing the sheer amount of Evo HTS rolling off the production line provided a clear visual of JTI’s future intentions.

“As JTI-GTR, we look forward to increasingly rolling out Ploom Aura based on market demand, but also leaning on experiences and lessons from the 28 markets where previous versions of Ploom were launched,” summarised Sleiman. “JTI GTR has already witnessed successful launches of Ploom Aura in travel retail in Japan, Switzerland, and, more recently, in Dubai/the UAE and the Czech Republic. Keep watching this space for more similarly exciting launches in the weeks to come.”

*Based on average exchange rates for 2024.

This feature first appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of TRBusiness. Click here to read the full version, including comments from Ian Jones, VP, R&D Scientific Product Assessment Center, on the science behind Ploom Aura (RRP US$50) and heated tobacco sticks (HTS).

Blueprint onboards Gen Z advisors to help DF&TR clients maximise relevance

Left: Blueprint Partners Thomas Kaneko-Henningsen, Sonja Soskic and Karl Walter. Right: Blueprint’s Gen Z consultants.

Copenhagen-based consultancy Blueprint is deepening its efforts to bring the duty free and travel retail (DF&TR) industry actionable insights on appealing to Gen Z shoppers, by assembling a panel of consultants from the generation to advise on projects for clients.

“At Blueprint, we believe the best way to anticipate younger shoppers’ impact on travel retail is to invite them into the strategy room,” said Blueprint Partners Sonja Soskic, Karl Walter and Thomas Kaneko-Henningsen.

“Welcoming the next generation of thinkers is a dynamic way to future-proof our work by unlocking raw insight, cultural fluency and mobile-first instincts that challenge old assumptions and shape new perspectives. It is a breath of fresh air.”

The move underscores the influence of Gen Z and how they are expected to make their mark on the travel retail industry in the coming years.

According to m1nd-set research, there are 2.5 billion Gen Z globally – that’s 32% of the population.

Furthermore, Gen Z is expected to account for 1.2 billion global passengers flying in 2028, when they are on track to outnumber millennials as the largest global airline passenger group.

As the first generation raised entirely in a digital, on-demand world, however, their shopping habits and expectations are significantly different to the generations that came before them.

As m1nd-set research (reevaled at the 2025 TR Consumer Forum) shows, Gen Z visits duty-free stores more than older generations (44% of duty-free visitors out of total pax compared to 41% for others) yet converting them into buyers remains a challenge. Indeed Gen Z display a 65% conversion rate compared to 67% of others.

Crucially, online remains their primary source of information, with 19% utilising touchpoints such as a general internet search, or viewing content/ads on social media (13%).

Hence, targeting them effectively requires a distinctive approach, especially considering their wants and needs are also different to that of other generations.

Online remains the primary source of information for Gen Z, says m1nd-set research. Photo: Shutterstock / Prostock-studio.

“This group of travellers don’t see airport shopping as a detour; it’s an extension of their identity and a platform for sharing experiences on social media,” explained Kaneko-Henningsen.

“From sustainability to social commerce, from hyper-personalisation to immersive brand spaces, Gen Z-friendly airports are content platforms that leverage unique experiences.

“That’s exactly why we give travel retail companies direct access to Gen Z thinkers who can vet initiatives targeting younger travellers.”

Blueprint’s speciality is highlighting how airports, operators and brands can excel at connecting with experience-hungry Gen Z lifestyle travellers.

The consultancy points to concepts in the channel that are already shining examples of this, such as Shelby &Co. Bar + Kitchen at Birmingham Airport (inspired by the popular Netflix show, Peaky Blinders); Au Vodka’s Guinness World Record breaking 250-litre bottle (an Instagram worthy moment in Stansted Airport) and Gate Garden at Varna Airport (a duplex terrace space allowing passengers to board their flights directly from a landscaped outdoor area).

Blueprint Gen Z panel members Afsara Mukith and Ana Savic.

“The Gen Z lifestyle is not just changing how travellers shop, they’re redefining why travellers shop. Their lifestyle is borderless, fast-moving and fuelled by culture, community and content,” said Afsara Mukith, a member of Blueprint’s Gen Z panel.

Added fellow Gen Z consultant Ana Savic:”As Gen Z thinkers we are excited about providing fresh, unfiltered insights and call-to-action that helps the travel retail community understand and appreciate younger travellers along with their values, behaviours and expectations.”

According to Blueprint, the travel retail marketplace ‘continues to undergo profound transformation fuelled by megatrends like artificial intelligence (AI), experiential retail, social commerce, geopolitics, health & wellness and sustainability’.

“At the heart of this transformation sits the Gen Z lifestyle travellers and their appetite for hyper-personalised, emotional and memorable shopping,” said Kaneko-Henningsen.

“Our new panel has, in part, been inspired by the Gen Z led conference session at the TR Consumer Forum in Amsterdam in June and the value of hearing directly from them – chiefly regarding what would inspire them to shop and spend more in the channel.

“We are looking forward to connecting more stakeholders into the industry directly to Gen Z consumers to help shape the way forward.”

10 ways airports are evolving to better target Gen Z shoppers

The coming five years, the Blueprint team predicts that airports will increasingly gravitate towards the following:

1.Reimagine the airport experience: Adapting terminal design, signage and digital journeys to improve engagement and flow.

2. Community-driven spaces: From experience-driven lounges to health and wellness zones, airports will design more places Gen Z wants to linger in, not just pass through.

3. Spot early cultural shifts: Employing Gen Z to a greater extent to help track emerging shopping behaviours and expectations, helping them to proactively adapt to upcoming trends.

4. Map the Gen Z purchase journey: Offering real-world insights on how younger travellers discover and buy from social media to in-terminal.

5. Test new shopping formats: From pop-ups to gamified checkouts and interactive storytelling, airports will draw upon Gen Z’s input to help build concepts that resonate.

6. Define value beyond price: Emotional relevance, ethical production and design-forward thinking matter more than markdowns and price advantage.

7. Communicate with cultural fluency: Using cultural insights to fine-tune campaigns, ensuring relevance and resonance throughout the airport.

8. Reinforce brand purpose: Amplifying stress-test messaging around sustainability, inclusivity and ethics to ensure authenticity.

9. Facilitate pre-travel browsing: Ensure airport shopping starts on social media platforms and continues in-store via smart AR glasses or AI-assisted apps.

10.Design for FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Through limited-time exclusives, collectible collabs, live streaming, and airport-only editions.

Victorinox rolls out new store design in travel retail locations worldwide

The new retail design concept has been created in collaboration with global strategy and design studio Dalziel & Pow.

Victorinox is introducing a new design concept across its stores, which is being rolled out in local and travel retail markets around the world.
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The global refurbishment initiative is fuelled by the Swiss brand’s ambition to further improve the customer experience and strengthen its brand visibility globally.
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The evolved store design concept has already been successfully implemented domestically in Japan, in both Ginza and Fukuoka.
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In travel retail, the first location to benefit from the new look is the brand’s standalone store at Hong Kong International Airport. This was unveiled in July.
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The concept is now being rolled out to Victorinox’s shop-in-shops, as well as pop-ups planned for key locations in 2026.
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The new retail design concept, which been created in collaboration with global strategy and design studio Dalziel & Pow, gives rise to a modernised layout, immersive storytelling elements and an elevated product presentation.
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DF&TR industry stakeholders first got a glimpse of the evolved retail design approach at the 2025 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.

In effect, this creates an engaging environment that is said to honour Victorinox’s heritage and Swiss roots while speaking to modern day consumers.

Personalisation is at the heart of the experience, with visitors having the opportunity to assemble and engrave their own knife at the personalisation tables.

Additionally, each store will incorporate distinctive features inspired by its local surroundings.

A modular design concept – drawing inspiration from the versatility of the Swiss Army Knife – has also been adopted, allowing for flexible configurations and evolving layouts that adapt to different spaces and consumer needs.

All of this serves as the blueprint for the brand’s international retail vision moving forward.

In terms of expanding the network, Asia-Pacific – particularly South Korea – is driving growth in travel retail, according to the company.

The first travel retail location to benefit from the new look is the brand’s standalone store at Hong Kong International Airport.

“Our refurbished stores reflect who we are today and where we are going. It’s about creating spaces that inspire, engage, and strengthen our connection with consumers worldwide,” said Patrik Hauert, Chief Sales Officer.

“The continued success of our local store network in Switzerland serves as an inspiration for the engaging shopping experience we want to deliver across all our international stores”.

Victorinox has confirmed that all 83 stores in its global network (in GTR and beyond) will remain in operation while undergoing the transformation.

“The retail experience strategy perfectly aligns with the Victorinox ethos of being smart, masterful, and best prepared,” said Matt Avery, Associate Creative Director at Dalziel and Pow.

“We’ve continuously evolved the concept since its inception in 2020, learning and iterating with each new application. The result is an immersive experience that brings products to life and fully engages customers in the Victorinox brand world.”

DF&TR industry stakeholders first got a glimpse of the evolved retail design approach at the 2025 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, as part of Victorinox’s new tradeshow concept.

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READ NEXT: New booth concept and location as Victorinox team eyes TFWA WE
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READ NEXT: Victorinox bolsters travel retail team with key LATAM and EMEA hires

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READ NEXT: Victorinox to roll out artist-led personalisation services at pop-ups

Lagardère TR celebrates official launch of LESS decarbonisation platform

The LESS (Low Emission Sustainable Sourcing) platform is now officially live.

Lagardère Travel Retail has marked the official launch of the LESS (Low Emission Sustainable Sourcing) platform. As reported, this collective initiative is designed to harmonise the reporting of CO2 emissions across the retail sector’s supply chain.

Coordinated by Perifem and the Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution (FCD), LESS brings together nine founding retailers – Lagardère Travel Retail, Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Intermarché, Coopérative U, Lidl, Auchan, Casino, and METRO France – and already counts more than 150 suppliers among its participants.

The platform, powered by OpenClimat, offers suppliers a single interface to report their carbon data across all participating retailers, significantly simplifying processes and improving transparency across the value chain.

By making the platform operational, the participating retailers have reaffirmed their shared ambition to accelerate the decarbonisation of both their own operations, and those of their suppliers.

With more than 90% of retail-related emissions stemming from Scope 3, this collaboration marks a decisive step towards more effective, data-driven carbon reduction strategies.

LESS brings together nine founding retailers: Lagardère, Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Intermarché, Coopérative U, Lidl, Auchan, Casino, and METRO France.

“The launch of LESS transforms an ambitious idea into concrete action,” commented Lagardère Travel Retail VPCSR Arnaud Rolland, who spoke at the official launch event in Paris. “By joining forces with our peers and partners, we’re building a unified approach that will enable the entire industry to move faster and further in its decarbonisation journey.”

Validated by the French Competition Authority, LESS is open to all French and European retailers and foodservice operators. A Stakeholder Committee (Comité des Parties Prenantes) gathering Perifem, FCD, and key industry federations has been created to guide and strengthen the initiative’s collective governance.

The launch of LESS is fully aligned with the Planet pillar of Lagardère Travel Retail’s PEPS CSR strategy (Planet, Ethics, People, Social), through which the company aims to achieve a -25% absolute reduction in Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2030, using 2024 as the base year, validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements.

December’s APTRA Northeast Asia Forum to be rescheduled to 2026

Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA and Group Chief Executive, King Power Group (Hong Kong).

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is postponing its Northeast Asia Forum, which was due to take place this December, to a later date in 2026.

A statement from the association circulated today read: ‘In response to requests from the industry, we have decided to reschedule the APTRA Northeast Asia Forum to 2026, due to a combination of year-end pressures, holiday and travel budget restrictions.

‘We’re currently assessing when is the best time given how busy the industry calendar is. In the meantime we’ll be launching registration later this month for the APTRA India conference in Bangalore, 25-27 March 2026.’

As previously reported, the APTRA Northeast Asia Forum was due to take place in Hong Kong from 3-5 December 2025.

Under the theme of ‘The Great Travel Retail Reset’, the programme features consumer research and insights from China Trading Desk and m1nd-set, with panel discussions exploring category dynamics and updates from key markets including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

High-profile sponsors of the event are Airport Authority Hong Kong and Hong Kong International Airport as platinum host partners; Avolta and King Power as gold partners; and Pernod Ricard as the lead drinks partner.

TRBusiness will update on the new dates for the APRTA Northeast Asia Forum once announced.

In the meantime, the APTRA India conference will be held from 25-27 March 2026 Kempegowda International Airport, with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) as the host partner.

“Building on the success of the APTRA India conferences in 2024 and 2025, Bangalore International Airport Limited is the perfect host partner for an in-depth study into the future dynamics of the India market,” said Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA and Group Chief Executive, King Power Group (Hong Kong).

In keeping with APTRA’s not-for profit status, tickets for the event will be priced to cover costs.

2.0 & Partners expands Indian presence with Shampa Roy appointment

Roy’s remit will be focused on the Indian shopper demographic in travel retail.

Travel retail consultancy 2.0 & Partners has announced the appointment of Shampa Roy as Brand & Training Ambassador.

Roy brings more than three decades of frontline travel retail experience, including roles with Cathay Pacific and Jet Airways, to the role. Her appointment aims to strengthen 2.0 & Partners’ growing Academy training service and wider CXM business suite.

Roy is charged with taking the lead in shaping 2.0 & Partners’ next dedicated training course, focused on delivering expert service for the increasingly vital Indian shopper demographic in travel retail. Her appointment also marks a significant step for the company within the Indian market – recognised as one of the driving forces behind travel retail’s future.

Roy commented: “I am delighted to be joining 2.0 & Partners and to help elevate frontline service in the amazing global travel retail industry.

“Personalised service, shaped by an understanding of the customer’s mindset, is so important in today’s market. The feel-good factor one experiences after an excellent interaction with sales personnel is a wonderful reward to have.”

2.0 & Partners CEO Fabio Bernardini added: “We are thrilled to welcome Shampa to the 2.0 & Partners team. Her appointment is a landmark moment as we build our presence in the Indian market and continue to grow, both as a company and as a provider of services that help partners elevate their offer across travel retail.”

Joseph Ribkoff targets global growth with senior executive appointments

Joseph Ribkoff Stephen Belfer and Brett Sugarman

Left to right: Stephen Belfer and Brett Sugarman.

Fashion brand Joseph Ribkoff has expanded its executive team with two new appointments designed to drive its next phase of growth and global expansion.

Stephen Belfer has joined the company as Vice President of Global Sales & Business Development, following his twelve-year tenure at Marc Cain, where he led extensive commercial growth initiatives and strategic partnerships across wholesale, retail and ecommerce.

In his new role, Belfer will oversee global sales strategies and business development efforts, strengthening the Joseph Ribkoff brand’s footprint across key markets.

Brett Sugarman has been appointed Vice President of Global Marketing, bringing extensive experience from Michael Kors, where she drove various brand communication and consumer engagement strategies for over 15 years.

Sugarman is charged with leading Joseph Ribkoff’s worldwide marketing strategy, focusing on brand storytelling, digital innovation, and consumer engagement to elevate the brand’s global presence and connect with women around the world.

“These appointments mark an exciting step forward for Joseph Ribkoff,” commented Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Amzallag. “Stephen and Brett bring outstanding expertise in building international brands and driving growth. Their leadership will help us accelerate momentum, strengthen our customer connections, and reinforce our position as a global leader in premium contemporary womenswear.”

“I am honoured to join Joseph Ribkoff at this pivotal time,” noted Belfer. “I look forward to working with the global teams to drive performance and operational excellence.”

“Joseph Ribkoff has an incredible soul with decades of heritage, craftsmanship and a deeply loyal customer base,” Sugarman added. “My goal is to build the next chapter: a modern, relevant, global brand that continues to feel personal and authentic.”

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