Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to travel to Turkey for the opening of The Macallan’s new shop-in-shop at Istanbul Airport. Positioned right in the middle of Gebr Heinemann and Unifree Duty Free’s cavernous open-plan outlet, the brightly-lit, 43sqm retail space was undeniably impressive. With its channel-exclusive expressions, luxury gifting station, sensorial aroma jars and digital displays, this felt like a powerful example of the biggest spirits brand owners’ growing stranglehold on global travel retail.Thanks to its rarity, carefully cultivated luxury image and sizabl
How smaller beverage alcohol brands can break the multinational stranglehold on global travel retail – Comment
While it remains true that the odds are still heavily stacked against small- to medium-sized beverage alcohol brands in GTR, companies with the right offering that have done their due diligence can make a breakthrough.

Joe has been a business journalist for over 20 years, specialising in the drinks, aviation and Global Travel Retail sectors; Duty-Free News International, IWSR Magazine, Drinks International and Whisky Magazine, among others.



