Heinemann Australia has been renamed Heinemann Oceania, reflecting the duty-free and travel retailer’s entry into the New Zealand market.  Heinemann Oceania will be directed by George Tsoukalas, the former MD of Heinemann Australia, who is based in Sydney.  Heinemann Oceania will oversee the worldwide travel retailer’s operations and commercial development in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, as well as build a regional strategy for Oceania and “capitalise on natural synergies within the business” the company said.  Heinemann Oceania remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of H ..read more

Tumi, the renowned international travel and lifestyle brand, has made waves with the unveiling of its latest women’s handbag collection, Asra.  This contemporary line of handbags is designed to cater to the needs of the modern woman, seamlessly blending style and functionality to accompany her on all her journeys.  The introduction of Asra marks a significant step forward for Tumi in the women’s fashion space, solidifying its position as a leader in luxury essentials. Adding to the excitement is the announcement of its newest global brand ambassador, Mun Ka Young, an esteemed South K ..read more

In the iconic Suntec City Tower in Singapore, Hong Kong-listed luggage brand Samsonite is putting sustainability right at the heart of its mission. The renowned name in travel luggage and lifestyle bags unveiled its latest retail store as part of its broader effort to prioritise environmental stewardship and responsible consumerism. Since the launch of its global sustainability strategy, “Our Responsible Journey,” in 2020, Samsonite has sought to weave sustainability into every aspect of its operations.  From the materials used in crafting its signature luggage to the engagement of its pe ..read more

The evolution of once seemingly functional items, such as luggage, shoes and the humble water bottle, into status symbols, has led particular brands to develop cult followings and created opportunities for new products and services that cater to these consumer obsessions. The #airportoutfit has amassed over 690.3 million views in over 29,800 posts on TikTok, which is proof of the social media trend of documenting the aesthetics of everyday items.  Beyond that, it speaks to the size of the market for add-on products and services, from specialised brushes and cleaning products for status wa ..read more

The rapid rise of fast-fashion e-commerce retailers such as Shein and Temu is upending the global air cargo industry, as they increasingly vie for limited air-cargo space to woo consumers with rapid transit times, more than ten industry sources said. Shein, PDD Group’s Temu and ByteDance’s TikTok Shop, which recently began online shopping in the US, ship the majority of their products directly from factories in China to shoppers by air in individually addressed packages. And their growing popularity – Shein and Temu together send almost 600,000 packages to the United States every day, accordin ..read more

In a coffee culture dominated by global juggernauts, Bacha Coffee stands as a timeless emblem of rich tradition and unparalleled taste.  Founded amidst the opulent settings of Marrakech’s Dar el Bacha palace in 1910, this Moroccan coffee brand has recently made waves with its ambitious expansion into new territories.  The latest chapter in Bacha Coffee’s saga unfolded with the announcement of its inaugural ventures into Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.  Spearheading this move are two flagship stores nestled in prime locations: one at the prestigious Shin Kong Mitsukoshi depa ..read more

Australian brands have embraced the love story that is Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, as fans gear up for the local leg of the musical phenomenon, which is running Down Under from February 16-26. Iconic Australian brand Vegemite welcomed the singer with a Swift-themed billboard reading “From one icon to another, welcome to Australia,” and Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station has been lit up with images of the singer from Thursday through Sunday night while she is performing in the city. AMP’s chief economist Shane Oliver, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, predicted that the tour would bring an additional ..read more

DFS Group, the world’s premier luxury travel retailer which is privately held and majority owned by LVMH, recently unveiled a new concept set to redefine the beauty shopping landscape.  Dubbed the ’Beauty Collective’, the concept at T Galleria Beauty by DFS in Hong Kong’s vibrant Causeway Bay features 24 new brands spanning lifestyle, skincare, haircare and technology, as well as bespoke interactive consultations, personalised skincare and haircare analyses, and hands-on trial sessions. Spearheaded by Amael Blain, global senior vice president of beauty at DFS Group, the Beauty Collective ..read more

UK-based SSP Group has signed an agreement to acquire Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) for an undisclosed sum, Verdict Food Service reported. With the acquisition, SSP will own all of ARE’s 62 locations in seven Australian airports, which are generating annual sales of approximately $200 million. This will raise the group’s presence to 100 units across 11 of the country’s 19 largest airports – and one train station. SSP Group CEO Patrick Coveney said the deal will increase the group’s portfolio of brands and concepts and enable it to enter new prime air locations. “The Asia Pacific region offe ..read more

With its recent grand reopening of the Terminal 3 Departure Central duplex store at Changi Airport, Lotte Duty Free has unveiled a new look where shopping becomes an immersive experience, blending cutting-edge technology with the allure of premium brands. The all-glass facade of the revamped store draws travellers into a dynamic retail environment, including the world’s first ‘House of Suntory’ shop-in-shop boutique, celebrating Japanese artistry and craftsmanship, as well as seamlessly integrated Hennessy and Penfolds boutiques. The Terminal 3 store also introduces revolutionary digital exper ..read more