Year in Review: Interviews
Interviews of the Year (I)
In these pages we feature our writers’ selections of the most memorable interviews to appear across our titles in 2025.
Agility, experience and accelerated change
A rare on-stage debate and discussion between the CEOs of Europe’s biggest travel retailers made for a compelling highlight of the ETRC Business Forum in Amsterdam in January.
Avolta CEO Xavier Rossinyol, Gebr. Heinemann Owner and Co-CEO Max Heinemann, ARI CEO Ray Hernan and Lagardère Travel Retail Deputy CEO (now CEO) Frederic Chevalier – in a conversation adeptly led by Heinemann Director Corporate Communications & External Affairs Nina Semprecht – addressed how to better create value for all parties in the industry Trinity. The round table also talked about how they are adapting to accelerated change in consumer behaviour and a reshaping of the business model.
Full story here.
Tracking Loacker’s 100-year journey
From humble origins in the small city of Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, Loacker has become a global brand name and leader in the premium wafer and snacking segment.
The company marked its 100th anniversary in early February with a special celebration, attended by The Moodie Davitt Report among other partners. We carried a major interview with the family ownership in a conversation that spanned sense of place, balancing heritage and modernity, and focused on wellness, conscious consumption and sustainability in business.
Full story here.
Expanding the Extime platform
“Our priorities for 2025 are to build new Extime venues at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports; to develop our community of ‘Extimers’; to increase digital integration across retail and services; and to look at development opportunities beyond our airports.”
So said Groupe ADP Chief Customer Officer Mathieu Daubert, speaking to The Moodie Davitt Report in March about the evolution of the Extime project, brought to life by ADP in 2023 as an eco-system to add value to retail, dining and services, initially at its own airports but with ambitions to expand to others.
Full story here.
How Taha Bouqdib is creating a global legacy with Bacha Coffee
Taha Bouqdib, serial entrepreneur extraordinaire and President and CEO of V3 Gourmet, the parent company of TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee, talks about the rise and expansion of these premium tea and coffee brands and how travel retail is supporting their growth.
The conversation offers a rare and illuminating insight into the passion, pride and principles of a man who views coffee not just as a beverage but as an experience.
Full story here.
How Abdulaziz Al-Asaker and Riyadh Airports Company are shaping a new aviation future
“I don’t think we will reach the limit because there is no limit. We’ll keep pushing further and further and enhance efficiency until we know we are providing an amazing offer to our passengers while also getting the right return for us.”
So says Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al-Asaker as he outlined the ambitions for aviation and commercial growth at one of Saudi Arabia’s key gateways, in conversation with The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie.
Full story here.
Looking back – and forward – as Qatar Duty Free celebrates a quarter century of achievement
On 1 May 2000, Qatar Duty Free opened for business at Doha International Airport. The inauguration came three years after the relaunch of airport owner Qatar Airways under the leadership of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, which heralded an extraordinary transformation of the Gulf state’s aviation sector.
Over the ensuing quarter century Qatar Duty Free has risen from a fledgling start-up to become one of the industry’s most acclaimed travel retailers, a flagbearer for constant, often daring innovation; multiple sector firsts; and a relentless focus on quality rarely if ever matched worldwide.
So begins the cover story in our May Magazine, in which Qatar Airways Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh talks about the remarkable journey to date and explains why the years ahead will be even more exciting.
Click here for the full story (turn to page 46).
How Olivier Dubos plans to reignite The Estée Lauder Companies’ travel retail business
The Estée Lauder Companies Senior Vice President and General Manager, Travel Retail Worldwide Olivier Dubos assumed the reins in December 2024 at a challenging time for the group as – like its peers – it grappled with intense pressures on the pivotal North Asia travel retail business, largely driven by the challenged Hainan and South Korean markets and softening Chinese spend on skincare.
In this interview, he talks consumer-centricity, experiences and the company’s travel retail plans within its wider ‘Beauty Reimagined’ programme.
Full story here.
Peter Zehnder on how Lindt turned a viral trend into a global bestseller
Lindt & Sprüngli Head of Global Travel Retail Peter Zehnder reflects on the rapid rise of Dubai-style chocolate, which has helped capture the imagination of global travellers and reinforced travel retail’s role as a powerful channel for brand storytelling and trend activation.
Full story here.
Partner’s message
The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 349 | 22 December 2025
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 6 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (MA Travel Retail). © All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher. To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please email kristyn@moodiedavittreport.com