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diversified, more resilient and able to create hybrid concepts that better respond to the needs of today’s travellers. Avolta now operates in 73 countries and 1,000 locations, with over 5,100 points of sale across three segments: duty-free, food & beverage and convenience, and a range of channels, including airports, motorways, cruises, border shops and downtown. The company’s Destination 2027 strategy focuses on bringing together travel retail and travel F&B to provide a more holistic travel experience and hybrid store formats. The company is looking for its stores to be more flexible, to highlight new categories and exclusive products, and to have more local touches and entertainment. It will also focus on smart retail technology and cross-category concepts. The company also announced just last week that it will make a major move to boost its presence in the Asia Pacific market with the acquisition of Hong Kong border retailer Free Duty. Avolta CEO Xavier Rossinyol states: “We are deeply honoured to be named BW Confidential’s Beauty Retailer of the Year. This prestigious recognition validates our commitment to placing the traveller at the heart of everything we do – just as we do in the beauty industry. Our new strategy focuses on creating memorable, delightful experiences for every traveller, and this award highlights the teamwork and innovation that make it all possible. Thank you BW Confidential for this honour.” The Beauty Party In addition to celebrating BW Confidential and Avolta, The Beauty Party will once again be the occasion for the global beauty community – brands, retailers, distributors and fragrance players – to come together in a festive setting. This year The Beauty Party is organised in association with key travel retailer Qatar Duty Free, a company that has set the bar high in terms of retailing cosmetics and fragrance. Qatar Duty Free will offer a complimentary photo memento to guests at the event. The Beauty Party is also kindly sponsored by Asian distribution company LUXASIA, the event’s Gold Sponsor. Supporting innovation at i.lab Also, once again this year, BW Confidential is proud to sponsor the TFWA i.lab, the innovation zone at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference. The i.lab will highlight travel-retail industry innovations from companies in areas such as digital traveller engagement, in-store solutions, data analytics, AI, sustainable and social initiatives and services for travellers. BW Confidential sponsored the first edition of TFWA i.lab in 2019 and each year since. “The i.lab showcases innovation, tech, digital and data solutions as well as a wide range of creative services to engage with the travelling consumer. It is a great way to find out about what is coming next in terms of new tech solutions, how tech can be applied to the travel-retail market and how it is set to change the industry. At BW Confidential, we closely monitor the latest tech, retail and data trends, so it was an obvious choice for us to support the i.lab,” Phillips explained. As usual, BW Confidential’s Magazine will be distributed at the Cannes show. The BW Confidential October-December issue features a 15th Anniversary Special Report, Beauty Now & in the Future, which explores the current state of the market, along with its opportunities, challenges and influences, and imagines how the future of the market may look, especially in terms of retail and digital. This issue also includes special reports on the fragrance category, and on the beauty market in the Middle East, as well as a Travel Retail Special on the state of beauty in the channel. Pick up your complimentary copy at the press racks in the Palais des Festivals. BW Confidential’s Editor in Chief Oonagh Phillips. BW Confidential’s October-December Magazine will be distributed at the show and features a 15th Anniversary Special Report, Beauty Now & in the Future, which explores the current state of the market, along with its opportunities, challenges and influences, and also imagines how the future of the market may look, especially in terms of retail and digital. Monday 30 September 2024 25 T F W A D A I L Y