The annual travel retail event hosted a total of 5868 visitors from 2737 companies, increasing respectively by 9% and 6% compared to the previous year. According to the organizers, of that total 15% were key duty free operators and retailers.

Among the 457 exhibitors, 128 belonged to the perfumes and cosmetics sector, including Ahava, Beauté Prestige International (BPI), which showcased Kokorico, the new Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance, the Jacques Bogart group, or Gosh Cosmetics, a Danish makeup specialist. The French company Terre d’Oc, which is not yet distributed in the travel retail channel, also took the opportunity of this event to meet some of its distributors.

A dynamic market

According to the Tax Free World Association, global duty free and travel retail sales rose by 13% in US dollars between 2009 and 2010 (+11% in local currencies) to 39 billion dollars.

With 13.8 billion dollars and a market share of 35.4%, Europe remains the largest duty free and travel retail market, followed by Asia-Oceania (USD 12.7 billion and 32.7% market share), and the Americas (USD 8.9 billion and 23% market share).

But in this market as in others, the Asia and Ocenia zone proved to be the most dynamic and grew by 23.7% from one year to another. In comparison, the growth of the European market appears as rather more sluggish (+3.6%).

Perfumes and cosmetics account for 30.8% of the total market, and increased by 13% between 2009 and 2010, identical to the total market, second only to luxury goods (+16.5%).

The next edition of the TFWA World Exhibition will take place from 21st to 26th October 2012 in Cannes.