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Exploring what’s next: a strategic look at the future of travel retail T omorrowmorning’s workshop – ‘Next horizon: Charting the future of travel retail’ – is an invitation to collectively reflect on where the industry is heading. TFWA Managing Director Franck Waechter will open the session and introduce an exclusive and collaborative TFWA Research project. Developed in conjunction with Le Comptoir Prospectiviste, this essential piece of strategic intelligence has been commissioned by TFWA to help industry leaders navigate long-term transformation across the duty free and travel retail landscape. “We will share a series of prospective scenarios, co-created with key industry stakeholders, to explore possible futures for travel retail,” Waechter explains. “The goal is to equip participants with tools to anticipate disruption and turn challenges into opportunities, rather than simply reacting to change.” TFWA chose to collaborate with Le Comptoir Prospectiviste because of their unique approach to co-creating futures with the travel retail industry, looking beyond linear trends to envision bold, alternative pathways. “This partnership aims to provide our ecosystemwith both inspiration and practical guidance, sparking meaningful dialogue among brands, retailers, and landlords as they shape the next chapter of our industry,” says Waechter. TFWA is a truly global platform, uniting voices and ideas from every corner of the industry, and Waechter highlights that tomorrow’s workshop is a unique opportunity to connect those perspectives, fostering collaboration and ambition. “It’s also a moment to feel the collective energy of our industry and to remember why we do what we do: to create extraordinary experiences for travellers worldwide.” D rawing from an exclusive and collaborative TFWA Research project, developed in conjunction with Le Comptoir Prospectiviste and a wide range of industry stakeholders, Wednesday morning’s workshop – ‘Next horizon: Charting the future of travel retail’ – will explore how landlords, brands, and retailers must rethink their roles to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. As global travel trends shift and consumer expectations evolve, the core aspects of travel retail are undergoing a major transformation. In this fast-paced environment, understanding and anticipating possible future scenarios that will impact the traveller is more crucial than ever. “Our key message is that the future is not written,” says Olivier Parent, Director of Prospective Studies, Le Comptoir Prospectiviste, Publishing Director, FuturHebdo, Director, Festival des Mondes Anticipés. “It is shaped by objective factors we can clearly identify alongside powerful current dynamics and megatrends. This is not just speculation. The essential point is that we must explore multiple possible futures.” Above all, Parent and Christian Gatard, Associate Research Director, Le Comptoir Prospectiviste, Founder, Christian Gatard & Co, Co-organizer, Festival des Mondes Anticipés, want to raise awareness of the vital importance of cooperation among all players – landlords, operators, brands and airlines – and of the need to stay attuned to technological, psychological, and climatic developments. “We also emphasise what we call ‘ratchet effects’: irreversible shifts that shape our future, such as the widespread adoption of surveillance cameras after the Paris Olympics, or the ultra-fast development of artificial intelligence,” says Gatard. “These points of no return must be understood. Our role is not to predict the future, but to provide a compass for navigating uncertainty.” TFWA Managing Director Franck Waechter: “We hope our members and partners will use these findings to spark conversations – both internally and across the industry. The report is designed to be a catalyst for innovation, inspiring new partnerships, pilot projects, and business models that foster sustainable and responsible growth.” The future is unwritten: charting what’s next for travel retail Christian Gatard, Associate Research Director, Le Comptoir Prospectiviste, Founder, Christian Gatard & Co, Co-organizer, Festival des Mondes Anticipés: “I ammost excited about challenging prevailing rationalism. This is a golden opportunity to invite professionals to speculate, imagine, and see how these exercises in creativity can unlock new business perspectives.” Olivier Parent, Director of Prospective Studies, Le Comptoir Prospectiviste, Publishing Director, FuturHebdo, Director, Festival des Mondes Anticipés: “Presenting our key messages to such a broad and committed audience is invaluable. I look forward to seeing how they embrace themwith regards to objective constraints and the importance of cooperation.” Tuesday 30 September 2025 24 T F W A D A I L Y