Mounib elected chief of duty free association

Mohammed Mounib, managing director of Abu Dhabi Airport Catering and Duty Free, was elected president of the Middle East Duty Free Association (Medfa).

Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty Free managing director, retained his post of vice-president, during the elections to the two-year board held yesterday at the conclusion of the First Middle East Duty Free Conference.

Six executives were also chosen as board members along with Anthony Chalhoub, Habchi & Chalhoub managing director, who retained his post as secretary general, and Jan Baljet, general manager, Weitnauer Tuxedo Sharjah Duty Free, who became the treasurer.

Meanwhile, John Sime, manager duty free sales, Emirates airline, said at the conference that inflight duty free business has possibly never been in better health. The industry has good opportunities and its major problem is to change its own mindset and embrace opportunities.

Apart from focus on cabin crew training and devising incentives for passengers and crew, volume of products sold on board should be increased.

Shawqi Mushtaq, general manager System Skysales, Saudi Airlines, said Saudia's Skysales turnover has been healthy over the past five years, rising from 40.2 million riyals in 1997 to 63 million riyals in 2002.

In 2002, highest products share was for ladies fragrances at 24.2 per cent and men's fragrances at 16.5 per cent. Saudia's focus for the coming years will be on exclusive products, oriental fragrances, children's gifts and religious souvenirs.

A study of the GCC youth market for luxury brands and designer labels said watches and fragrances were the most popular duty free items. Two-thirds of men (67 per cent) and more than three quarters of women (89 per cent) changed watches for different occasions.

The study was prepared by Jonathan Barlow of the Travel Retail Markets and Doa'a Tahboub, GCC marketing and research analyst.

It said some 10 per cent of respondents covered by the study purchased at least one of their watches in a regional duty free shop. With regard to oriental fragrances, respondents said they purchase one in addition to international brands.

Around 75 per cent respondents only visit brand websites, which indicates that they only remain a means of communications rather than a direct revenue stream.

Across the GCC, TV advertising was less important with women than men for purchasing brands, with the exception of the UAE. Women In Saudi Arabia and Kuwait rated 'in shop presentation' as the most significant.