Duty Free

27 August, 2008

Page 12

l Family-owned Australian winery De Bortoli Wines has appointed UK-based World of Patria its global duty-free and travel-retail distributor.

l Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division has named Mark Halgunseth its new trade marketing manager. His main responsibilities include developing regional opportunities .

l Wine producer Racke saw duty-free and travel-retail sales increase by more than 10 per cent in 2007, with Europe proving the strongest performing region. The company's New World wine ranges helped drive this growth, in particular the South African Golden Kaan brand and the more recently launched Espiritu de Chile.

l Duty-free operator Alpha MKVB has struck an exclusive distribution deal with Moët Hennessy covering both the domestic and duty-free markets in the Maldives. The three-year contract covers all the French compan y's wine, spirit and Champagne brands.

l The Falic Group, owner of the US's largest duty-free operator Duty Free Americas , has purchased Californian niche spirits firm 267 Infusions for an undisclosed sum. Producing a range of premium spirits infused with real fruit, 267 Infusions will now trade as Innovative Liquors and be rolled out and promoted across DFA's store network.

l The Bulgarian government has ruled that the country's duty-free border shops are to close after mounting pressure from the European Commission, which has alleged they are a focal point for organised crime.