Low cost airlines, the Asian consumer and legislative threats to the duty free and travel retail industry will be under the spotlight at three special workshops during TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes this October.

The Airline Workshop, scheduled for Tuesday, October 19 from 8 am to 9 am in the Riviera Beach marquee next to the exhibition venue, will take the theme “Low cost, high potential?”

Led by Chris Tarry, Senior Associate at Nyras Capital, and moderated by Doug Newhouse, Editor of The Travel Retail Business, this breakfast workshop will debate whether low cost carriers (LCCs) are set to become the most influential segment of the global aviation industry and what their impact will be on duty free and travel retail.

LCCs have not only changed the way people fly, they also impact the way other stakeholders are constructing their business models. Legacy carriers are launching low-cost pricing policies, and airports are introducing dedicated budget terminals to cater to the low-cost passenger. Of course, retailers and suppliers are also altering their offer.

The Asian consumer will come under scrutiny in the Asia Pacific Workshop on
Wednesday, October 20 from 8 am to 9 am in the same venue.

Paul Husband, Managing Director of Husband Retail Consulting, Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA and Managing Director of KingPower Group (Hong Kong) and Mathieu Vanhalst, International Sales Manager for TFWA, will lead the workshop and the moderator will be Michael Barrett, Conference & Research Manager, TFWA.

Husband, who is a retail specialist and co-author of The Cult of the Luxury Brand, will trace the history of the retail revolution in Asia and the evolution of the premium and luxury goods sector, focusing on the aspirations of consumers in Asia’s top five markets.

The session will also look at the opportunities for the duty free and travel retail sector across the Asia Pacific region today.

A TFWA Industry Association Workshop, in co-operation with ETRC, will be held in
Auditorium K in the Palais des Festivals on Wednesday, October 20 from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The workshop will be open to representatives from all exhibitors as well as visitors.

Various duty free and travel retail trade associations around the world will present the facts on critical issues likely to affect the industry, both regionally and globally, including the impact on travel retail of cabin baggage restrictions being introduced by low cost and legacy airlines and various government initiatives threatening duty free tobacco sales.

The floor will then be opened up to debate the issues raised, with the objective of producing an action plan to help the industry protect its interests.

For further information about TFWA WE (October 17–22) and registration details, please visit www.tfwa.com.