Laura Shirk

3 weeks ago | gtrmag.com | Laura Shirk

June 5 2025  |  Retailers By Laura Shirk Defining consumer spending in Q1 2025 as a “mixed picture,” shoppers, brands and retailers continue to face economic pressures and geopolitical tensions. According to Lagardère Travel Retail, across the Americas, it was largely shaped by ongoing global economic uncertainty and shifting international trade dynamics.

3 weeks ago | gtrmag.com | Laura Shirk

June 5 2025  |  Industry News By Laura Shirk Since returning to office in January for his second term, US President Trump’s trade war has strongly impacted currency in the Americas, particularly the Mexican peso. The currency has experienced volatility tied to tariffs, trade tensions and shifting investor confidence. John Price, Managing Director at Americas Market Intelligence, notes the peso has lost approximately 10% of its value since Trump’s first day back.

3 weeks ago | gtrmag.com | Laura Shirk

June 5 2025  |  Associations By Laura Shirk in Lima, Peru Wednesday, June 4: Statement of affairs Setting the tone for ASUTIL 2025: Nexus, ASUTIL Secretary General Carlos Loaiza-Keel and Enrique Urioste, President & CEO, Latin America & Caribbean at Avolta, partnered to deliver a strategic overview of the current state of the association and the wider travel retail industry in Latin America on the morning of day one.

3 weeks ago | gtrmag.com | Laura Shirk

June 5 2025  |  Spirits & Tobacco By Laura Shirk Similar to country music in the mainstream, tequila is having its moment in global travel retail. Nobody knows this better than the co-founders of Mexico-based Código 1530 Tequila, Federico “Fede” Vaughan and Ron Snyder. The two partnered with country music legend George Strait to bring this ultra-premium tequila brand into the mix and they haven’t looked back since.

3 weeks ago | gtrmag.com | Laura Shirk

June 4 2025  |  Associations By Laura Shirk Speaking at the ASUTIL conference in Peru, DFWC President Sarah Branquinho outlined the organization’s strategic priorities and emphasized the critical importance of regional organizations like ASUTIL in supporting the industry’s collective voice. Branquinho explained that the DFWC’s primary mission extends far beyond traditional industry support.