Marketing and all things related

Marketing Blurb is not a political pundit, so we will leave terrorism commentary to other folks. But we will say the ban on liquids on airplanes poses a unique challenge for Duty Free airport shops. The lion’s share of duty-free sales are associated with high-end wines and liquors which international travelers purchase to save on taxes. An estimated 1.5 million cases of cognac were sold globally in such airport shops in 2005. There is some discussion that Duty Free shops should be allowed to hand-deliver airport liquor sales to the security gate, but for now the TSA is simply prohibited bottled liquids, even those sealed from the winery. “It’s a fluid process for us,” said Michael Payne, executive director of the International Association of Airport Duty-Free Stores, based in Washington. “It’s too soon to know. It had a major impact yesterday, but as long as the TSA will allow secured deliveries of merchandise to continue, the bans will have smaller impact.” Marketing Blurb hopes there is some comprise to protect security and retail commerce. But for now, we’re keeping our own feet on the ground. Pour yourself a stiff one, and read what Brandweek has to say on this topic.