Mark Lane

1 week ago | moodiedavittreport.com | Mark Lane

UAE. Travel fintech company utu has launched an innovative downtown tourist refund voucher programme with selected merchants in one of Dubai’s most popular shopping destinations, Gold Souk. Alongside the existing method of receiving tax refunds in cash or to a credit card at the airport, shoppers at Gold Souk can now choose to convert their tax refunds into vouchers worth up to +25% more than the original refund amount.

1 week ago | moodiedavittreport.com | Mark Lane

CANADA.The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) has called for immediate federal government action to support the duty-free retail industry, as sales at Canadian border stores have fallen between -40% and -50% in the face of US-Canada tensions since late January. Speaking to The Moodie Davitt Report yesterday (14 April), FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett noted some remote crossing stores in Eastern and Western Canada are reporting revenue declines of up to -80%.

1 week ago | moodiedavittreport.com | Mark Lane

UK. Regional and City Airports (RCA), operator of UK regional airports including Bournemouth Airport, Exeter Airport and Norwich Airport, has appointed Steve Lilley to the newly created role of Commercial Director. The position underlines the airport company’s aim for retail and F&B revenue growth. Lilley has over 25 years’ experience in the aviation industry, with a strong background in network planning, airline relations, commercial strategy and aviation development.

2 weeks ago | moodiedavittreport.com | Mark Lane

UK. WHSmith has completed an extensive refurbishment of its Newcastle Airport store. The 3,700sq ft space has been transformed into a one-stop convenience outlet for travel essentials. A rapid six-week makeover programme has allowed the store to reopen in time for the busy Easter holiday period. The shop now houses an expanded health and beauty section offering popular high street brands, such as L’Oréal, Garnier, Nivea and Dr Paw Paw.

2 weeks ago | moodiedavittreport.com | Mark Lane

UK. Travel restaurateur SSP Group is to introduce a Popeyes restaurant at Birmingham Airport. The New Orleans fast-food brand, which has more than 4,000 venues worldwide, is claimed to be the UK’s current fastest-growing quick-service restaurant chain. The Birmingham Airport restaurant is a UK airport first and will open airside in early summer 2025, ahead of the peak holiday season. It will offer Popeyes’ full all-day menu as well as its recently launched breakfast menu.