World duty-free internet search complete.

This week saw the launch of the enhanced dutyfreeonarrival.com worldwide duty-free search engine for travellers. Travelling shoppers can now search for the details of duty free and travel retail outlets around the world in any travel mode, such as airports, ferries, cruises or border stores. Customs allowances for over 170 Countries are included, with more being added all the time. This enables travellers to research and consider their travel shopping before they leave home in line with the growth in web based travel planning. Ivor Smith Founder of the business said "the world is a big place, it will take us some time to incorporate all the outlets, rules and regulations, least of all in nine languages. I have to admit some of our translations need improving. But, we are working hard at getting there soon. It is clear from the travel forum postings on the web that the consumer wants this information in advance and before he arrives at the airport, boards his ship or drives through a border and we intend to give it to them as best and easy as we can and under one simple banner".


The site now permits specific searches for cruises, ferries, border stores, airports and allowances. The next step, already in production, is a full detail of in-flight shopping and a mobile App. Smith also said "our software developers are from the former Russian Republics and Eastern Europe seems to have a very good aptitude for this type of database logic, we can't wait for them to to produce the mobile App. Eventually all the outlets will be geo-located, so that potential customers can be 'pinged' when they are within 100 metres of the nearest shop"

Smith was asked, "how do you intend to make money out of this". His response? "when the duty-free retail industry fully moves into the internet age, where are retailers and advertisers more likely to affiliate, on 5000 or so different travel blogs, discount sites or some of the few websites that properly address this subject for the consumer? Will they follow the logical path, we shall see"



you can check before you fly at www.dutyfreeonarrival.com

How did British Duty Free retailers and airports manage to get it so wrong?

This weekend has seen a hammering for British duty free retailers and airports, two major UK national sunday newspapers have battered the British airports and the retailers for their prices.


The News of the World printed a price check calling UK airport retail "Duty Fleece" highlighting prices compared to normal high street shops, whilst the more conservative Guardian printed a story related to airline baggage charges. "Airlines hit passengers with extra baggage charges".

Within this story, it warns passengers not to buy goods in airports in case they are confiscated or charged extra as part of their carry-on baggage restriction.

Then, just when the dust was settling, Kelkoo the online price comparison site released a widely circulated a story related to their pricing survey in airports. This story is a scathing report on prices and competitive value compared to other locations around Europe and highlights Heathrow airport within their headline. Blogs as far afield as Malaysia have churned the headline, whilst CNN, NY Times, MSN and AOL news have published it too.

How can it be that the UK airport retail market has received such a battering and when will the industry defend itself and explain why prices are so high, due perhaps to excessive airport retail rents and operating costs?

Such media coverage does nothing to enhance the confidence to generate consumer spending in "Travel Retail" and perhaps now is the time for a different approach to the market? In the meantime high street retailers must be rubbing their hands with glee!


http://www.dutyfreeonarrival.com/

UK Tobacco Display ban could affect Duty Free Sales.

Plans to introduce a display ban by The UK Government could put British Travel/Duty Free retails at a serious disadvantage to those selling tobacco products Duty Free on Arrival, as reported in the media recently. Will internet sales for arrivals duty free destinations be affected also or will these outlets benefit?