Spirits brand House of Glenfiddich and interiors and lifestyle brand Three Sixty joined forces to launch a collaborative collection of fashion accessories and furniture at designer Ritu Beri’s curated event Escape Goa.

“Escape Goa has always been about creating magical experiences that combine art, luxury, and authenticity,” said designer Ritu Beri in a press release. “The House of Glenfiddich x Three Sixty collection embodies that spirit perfectly- a seamless blend of refined craftsmanship and timeless elegance. It was thrilling to see the collection come alive at Escape, where the rich aroma of aged whisky and the touch of exquisite leather created an unforgettable sensory journey. This collaboration is a testament to the power of art and luxury in shaping meaningful experiences.”

The House of Glenfiddich x Three Sixty collection features travel and home décor items including portfolio bags, waist bags, passport holders, nesting tables, tissue boxes, coasters, and trays. For barware, the collection offers stools, counters, shelves, cocktail sets, and a hideaway portable bar.

“House of Glenfiddich is excited to present a handcrafted lifestyle products at Escape Goa through a pop-up experience,” said William Grant & Sons’ managing director Sachin Mehta. “Through this partnership, we aim to offer consumers not just a product, but a unique proposition of luxury living and travel, an experience that embodies the rich heritage and timeless elegance.”

The event was designed to offer guests an immersive experience and an introduction into both the worlds of House of Glenfiddich and Three Sixty. The product line is marketed as a selection of collectibles and highlights House of Glenfiddich’s increasing focus on the Indian market.

“We are thrilled to introduce House of Glenfiddich x Three Sixty’s handpicked collection at Escape Goa, a brand new destination that redefines the intersection of luxury and everyday living,” said Three Sixty’s founder and CEO Vikash Gupta. “Each product has been thoughtfully selected to ensure that customers experience the elegance and craftsmanship they have come to expect from our brand.”

Author Credits- Isabelle Crossley, FASHION NETWORK

Dubai: Shipments of popular perfume brands from the UAE and Saudi Arabia are getting caught up in the new US tariff rules imposed on imports into that country. It comes at a most inopportune time for these Gulf perfume businesses as ‘Arabic fragrances’ have been building a fairly niche share of the US market.

But it’s starting to get a bit difficult this week. “Our latest shipments to the US are held up at the Memphis airport,” said Jimmy Chacko, CEO of Dubai-based Hekayat Attar & Jimmy Aventus. “The US customs said they were awaiting instructions for the new tariffs, announced by President Trump on Wednesday.

“But the shipments – totaling around 2,000 kilos – are yet to be cleared.”

Some of the other leading UAE and Gulf fragrance brands confirmed that things are changing with the 10% tariff the US has announced on UAE and Saudi Arabia. Where possible, they plan to place only a minimal increase on their US retail prices.

“As with the ‘Dubai chocolate’ phenomenon, the ‘Dubai fragrance’ too has been getting a lot of interest from US shoppers, especially for the premium- and super-premium labels,” said a Dubai-based perfume brand. “Hopefully, the 10% import duty will only have a minimal impact on our US demand.”

In fact, local perfumers had been actively raising their visibility in the US markets, creating a sub-genre within the wider Arabic fragrances category. There are brands selling for around $200 on a 100-ml bottle, while the average prices are in the $60-$100 range.

“The Arabian perfume market share has been experiencing significant growth,” said Chacko.

“Currently, 70% of our sales come from the US, with products manufactured in the UAE and average end-user price of between $30 and $45 on a 100-ml.

“Perfumery products were exempted from tariff, and we faced only nominal fees—$75 per shipment for air freight on around 1,000 kilogram plus and $25 for smaller shipments.

“Our shipments are undergoing clearance in Memphis, and we are closely monitoring the potential impact of these tariff changes on our market penetration.”

Author Credits- Manoj Nair, GULF NEWS

Global digital payments leader PayPal has introduced its advertising platform, PayPal Ads, in the UK, aiming to enhance commerce media opportunities for brands and merchants.

Initially launched in the US last year, PayPal Ads is a service designed to help businesses grow by leveraging PayPal’s vast user base and data insights.

The platform enables targeted advertising, delivering personalised ads to potential customers based on their purchase history. These ads can appear across PayPal, Venmo, and PayPal Honey, maximising visibility.

Additionally, the platform provides purchase intent and transaction data, allowing brands to create dynamic advertising messages and full-funnel campaigns to drive growth.

Businesses will also gain access to performance insights, enabling them to measure campaign effectiveness, return on investment (ROI), and overall market impact.

The advertising solution will be rolled out in phases, with customers expected to start seeing ads from July 2025, the company confirmed.

Highlighting the importance of commerce media in boosting brand visibility, Mark Grether, Senior Vice President and General Manager of PayPal Ads, stated:

“Commerce and advertising are deeply connected, and we believe PayPal’s advertising solution will become a must-use marketing and revenue channel for merchants—big and small.”

“In a world where shopping is agentic, invisible, and everywhere, brands need a partner that can help them reach these empowered shoppers.”

As of early 2025, PayPal boasts approximately 432 million active users worldwide, including individual consumers and businesses relying on its payment services.

Last month, the payment specialist experienced a major technical outage, temporarily preventing thousands of users globally from accessing their accounts and completing transactions.

The issue affected multiple services, including account withdrawals, express checkout, cryptocurrency transactions, and Venmo.

A PayPal spokesperson confirmed: “The system issue was swiftly resolved,” underscoring the company’s rapid response to the disruption.

Author Credits- Silvia Lacovcich, Retail Systems

There was no second chance for Arne Freundt. Appointed CEO of the German equipment manufacturer in 2022, the 40-year-old had to deal with results that displeased the financial markets.

After announcing his 2025 forecasts of 1% to 5% growth, Puma’s share price suffered the biggest decline in its history, falling back to its 2016 level on March 12. The hype surrounding the stars of the Paris Olympics, such as pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, the signing of a contract with the English Premier League and the announced reorganization plan have not convinced Puma’s board of directors, which announced on Thursday that the supervisory board and Arne Freundt had “reached a mutual agreement” to end their collaboration. This will take effect on April 11.

To succeed him, the German group looked across the Aurach, the river that separates the Puma and Adidas headquarters in the town of Herzogenaurach. Arthur Hoeld, a long-standing executive of the world’s No. 2 sports company, will take over as CEO and chairman of the group management board on July 1.

Aged 55, the former handball player and athlete spent 26 years with the three-stripes brand, leaving his last role as global sales director last October.

“I’m very excited to join the Puma family as the new CEO. Puma is one of the most authentic brands in our industry, with an incredibly strong heritage,” said the executive in a statement.

“Its products worn by the best athletes have created unforgettable moments. Sporting authenticity and an exciting brand proposition will be our main objectives going forward.”

In its press release, Puma highlighted in particular the executive’s work at the helm of Adidas Originals, which under his leadership achieved sales of €7 billion.

“We are delighted to appoint Arthur Hoeld, a proven sports industry expert with solid commercial expertise over the past 26 years, as CEO of Puma. We are convinced that with his strategic vision and focus on products and brand, Arthur will lead Puma into a new chapter of strength and growth,” said Héloïse Temple-Boyer, who chairs the group’s supervisory board, in a press release.

“On behalf of the entire Board, I would also like to thank Arne Freundt for all his achievements and for the commitment and dedication he has shown over the past 14 years. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

In parallel with his appointment, the group announced the promotion on April 1 of Matthias Bäumer, who was vice president, team sports, to group sales director.

Author Credits- Olivier Guyot, FASHION NETWORK

The US Trump administration has levied a flat 27% tariff on Indian goods with some exemptions. Here how domestic players have been impacted.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday morning (IST) announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs, with a 27 per cent levy on all goods imported from India. While the decision is expected to disrupt several key Indian industries, some sectors might find unexpected advantages amid the shifting trade landscape.

What does India export, import from the US?

India’s primary exports to the US include pharmaceuticals, telecom equipment, gemstones, petroleum products, gold jewellery, and ready-made cotton garments. On the import side, key commodities include crude oil, coal, petroleum products, electric machinery, and aerospace components.

Hardest-hit Indian sectors

Among the worst affected by the 27 per cent tariff are India’s electronics and gems and jewellery sectors. The US imports nearly $14 billion worth of electronics and over $9 billion worth of gems and jewellery from India, making these industries particularly vulnerable.

Prior to this hike, Washington’s tariffs on Indian electronic goods averaged just 0.41 per cent, while jewellery and gem products faced duties of around 2.12 per cent.

Auto parts and aluminium exports, however, remain outside the scope of the latest 26 per cent levy, though they continue to be subject to the previously announced 25 per cent tariff.

Sectors exempt from Trump tariff

Pharmaceutical products and energy exports, which collectively account for nearly $9 billion in trade, have been exempted from the new tariff structure, bawd on an executive order signed by Trump. Trump had earlier said the pharma industry would face tariffs, hinting that levies could appear in the future.

• Copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber
• Bullion: Precious metals like gold and silver are exempt.
• Energy and minerals: Certain energy products and minerals that aren’t available in the US will also be excluded.

Indian textiles may see advantage

India may be in a relatively advantageous position when compared to other nations. Vietnam faces a staggering 46 per cent tariff on its textile exports, while Bangladesh and China are subject to 37 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively.

Given that textiles contribute only 2 per cent to India’s gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 11 per cent for Bangladesh and 15 per cent for Vietnam, the impact on India’s overall economy may be milder.

How India fares against competitors

The Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said that while they were still analysing the impact of the tariffs, it was a “mixed bag and not a setback for India,” reported news agency PTI.

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) reiterated the sentiment, adding that India is in a better position than many other trading partners. FIEO Director General and CEO Ajay Sahai told news agency PTI, “We have to assess the impact, but looking at the reciprocal tariffs imposed on other countries, we are in a lower band.”

Other Asian economies have been hit even harder, with China’s overall export tariff to the US standing at 34 per cent, Japan at 24 per cent, Thailand at 36 per cent, Malaysia at 24 per cent, Taiwan at 32 per cent, and South Korea at 25 per cent. Vietnam has been hit the hardest with a 46 per cent tariff. These higher tariff rates could create new trade opportunities for Indian exporters.

US-India bilateral trade agreement

The US currently has a $46 billion trade deficit with India. Tariff disparities have been a longstanding issue between the two nations. The two nations are currently negotiating bilateral trade agreements which could provide relief from these tariffs in the future.

Author Credits- Vasudha Mukherjee, Business Standard

A new report from Ti Insight has revealed that the global e-commerce and e-fulfillment market is set to grow by 15.5% in 2025, despite President Trump’s intention to abolish the de minimis rules and impose tariffs on imports.

The Global E-commerce Logistics and E-fulfilment report suggests that the market has regained its sharp upward trajectory following a post-Covid contraction in 2022 and was valued at €521.9bn (US$569bn) in 2024 – double the market value recorded just before the pandemic in 2019.

Paul Chapman, the senior editor at Ti, remarked, “The continued growth in the e-commerce logistics and e-fulfillment sector highlights the ongoing expansion of e-commerce within global retail. We are now witnessing a significant differentiation between providers of e-commerce logistics and fulfillment players across continents, as they adapt to the delivery requirements of retailers and customers.”

The sharp increase suggests renewed consumer confidence, potentially driven by improved economic conditions, advances in digital infrastructure and the continued shift toward online shopping.

In terms of regional performance, the Asia-Pacific region has grown at a slightly faster rate than either North America or Europe, with 11% growth since 2020 compared with 10% for North America and 8% for Europe.

Chapman concluded, “Although President Trump’s policies on trade and tariffs have introduced significant uncertainty into the market, the sector shows no signs of being blown off course. Consumer habits have transformed, and this will power domestic and cross-border e-commerce and fulfillment needs for years to come.”

Author Credits- Hazel King, Parcel and Postal technology International

Airports provide lucrative space for retailers into duty-free and duty-paid goods, luxury brands and travel essentials

The duty-free shops at airport arrivals in India do more business than their peers at departure, and the highest-selling category in arrivals has been liquor

Adani Group, through its airport operations, is expanding into the duty-free retail sector, aiming to increase non-aero revenue, with a focus on both domestic and international expansion, including acquiring a stake in a French duty-free company and setting up duty-free shops at Macau International Airport.

Between 2025 and 2035, the airport retailing market is predicted to grow as global air passenger traffic rises, and more tourism and disposable income among the traveling population leads to increased travel and spending at duty free and retail outlets.

Airports have evolved into significant commercial hubs as they present a lucrative space for retailers looking to sell duty-free and duty-paid goods, luxury brands and travel essentials.

These trends, along with improved passenger experiences, digital transformation in airport retail, and increased penetration of Omni channel retailing strategies further drive the growth of market.

Moreover, AI-empowered customer analytics, dynamic inventory management, and hyper-personalisation of recommendations are assisting retailers to increase sales and drive engagement. As the shopping experience becomes more focussed on seamless experiences, airports are using innovative technology to blend offline and online retail spaces to create shopping experiences that are interactive and convenient for travellers.

The airport retailing market was estimated at around $37.23 billion in 2025 and is expected to hit $107.6 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 11.2 per cent. Increasing demand for premium and exclusive products, together with improved digital payment mechanisms and personalised shopping experiences, is boosting market growth. Moreover, the advent of AI and AR in retail operations is transforming the airport shopping scene, streamlining transactions, and elevating product interactions.

The India Travel Retail Market size is estimated at $2.03 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $5.40 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 21.59 per cent during the forecast period (2024-2029). This market has been growing steadily over the years. As people’s income rise, India’s position as a business powerhouse and tourist destination will also continue to solidify, leading to the growth and prosperity of this industry.

A combination of a large and growing population, increasing air connectivity, inbound tourism, and the growing disposable incomes and propensity to travel internationally by India’s middle class are some of the major factors fuelling the growth of India’s travel retail market.

Nearly 80 per cent of the country’s duty-free shoppers are Indians which is quite unlike other markets in the Asia Pacific, such as Korea or Thailand, where most duty-free sales are from international travellers. However, this is likely to change with the growth in international tourism in the country. While India accounts for only 10.7 per cent of the Asia Pacific region’s total international tourist arrivals, its year-on-year growth rate has been well above the region’s average in recent years.

Nearly 50 per cent of an international airport’s revenue is generated from duty-free and travel retail activities. In terms of sheer size and range that is offered, the duty-free retail areas at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai are nothing less than high-end malls.

The largest duty-free area in India is currently operated by Mumbai Duty-Free at Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), followed by New Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which is operated by New Delhi Duty-Free Services (DDFS).

Apart from the product variety offered at the duty-free stores, the promotional and other offers attract Indian consumers. The duty-free shops at airport arrivals in India do more business than their peers at departure, and the highest-selling category in arrivals has been liquor. This is primarily because the prices offered on liquor at duty-free shops are extremely competitive. In fact, arrivals account for the lion’s share of the business at duty-free shops as inbound travellers like to pick up items on their way back to the city.

The Indian travel retail market is relatively competitive, with several international and domestic brands present in the market, including Dufry, Lotte, The Shilla, Delhi Duty-Free, and Flemigo Travel Retail. The increasing focus on offering a diverse and wide range of products may enable the vendors to attract a large number of consumers and gain large market shares. The adoption of innovative promotional campaigns and attractive price offerings may help the players sustain the competition in the India travel retail market. Even then, room for growth still exists. Some forecasters expect India’s domestic traffic to double by 2030 (when it reaches 300 million domestic passengers).

International travel is projected to more than double by then (reaching 160 million passengers), which will nevertheless amount to less than a third of the country’s 1.4 billion people.

Author Credits- Vincent Fernandes, BIZZ Buzz

Big changes are coming to how South Africa handles imported goods, and if you love scoring deals from sites like Shein and Temu, you might want to pay attention. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is moving to scrap over 140 tax breaks and simplified customs processes that made importing cheaper and easier.

This would mean the end of a long-standing concession that allowed small shipments or shipments under R500 to be taxed at a flat 20% rate with no VAT—an advantage that helped international e-commerce giants keep prices low.

Local businesses have long argued that these concessions put them at a disadvantage. While Shein and Temu benefited from the flat-rate duty, South African retailers importing similar goods faced standard import duties of up to 45% plus VAT. The removal of these concessions, SARS claims, will level the playing field by ensuring that all businesses are subject to the same tax structure.

Import and export concessions are essentially special allowances that reduce taxes, duties, or administrative requirements for businesses engaged in cross-border trade. These policies have historically been used to stimulate industries, ease logistics, and attract investment. However, SARS has determined that many of these concessions are outdated, with some dating back 20 years and no longer aligning with current economic and trade policies.

Beyond e-commerce, the removal of these concessions will impact several industries. Wine exporters in Cape Town, perishable goods traders, and duty-free shops at OR Tambo International Airport have all benefited from reduced bureaucratic requirements and tax exemptions. With these benefits being phased out, businesses may experience delays, increased costs, and logistical challenges that could ultimately affect consumers.

SARS justifies this overhaul as part of its plan to align South Africa’s customs policies with international standards, particularly the World Customs Organisation (WCO) clearance guidelines. While the decision is official, businesses have until mid-April to provide feedback, offering a narrow window for potential revisions.

This policy shift also comes at a time when South African consumers are already dealing with price increases in various industries. Even local companies, such as MultiChoice’s DStv and Showmax, have announced price hikes due to an upcoming VAT increase in May. As the cost of imports rises, consumers may need to prepare for further financial strain in the months ahead.

Author Credits- Louis Eriakha, Techloy

DHL Group has acquired 100% of specialist life sciences courier company Cryopdp and formed a strategic partnership with Cryoport Inc. to strengthen supply chain services for the global life sciences and healthcare sectors.

According to DHL, the acquisition builds on its established life sciences and healthcare business – which generated €5bn (US$5.4bn) revenue in 2024 – and will enhance its capabilities in specialized pharma logistics.

The strategic partnership with Cryoport will bring together DHL’s global health logistics capabilities with Cryoport’s expertise in providing specialized solutions in a fast-growing life science and healthcare market segment. It also deepens DHL’s relationship with all the Cryoport business units with respect to specialized pharma.

Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, stated, “The acquisition of Cryopdp is a pivotal move for our supply chain business as we aim to expand our pharma specialized network to meet the evolving needs of clinical trials, biopharma and cell and gene therapies, in addition to increasing our footprint in the conventional pharma and life science healthcare segment.

“The acquisition of Cryopdp and the extended partnership with Cryoport Inc. will enable us to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions, enhancing our service capabilities.”

Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport, added, “We are indeed pleased to build on our trusted relationship with the DHL Group. Working together, we will bring an enhanced set of supply chain solutions to meet companies’ and patients’ critical supply chain needs.

“This strategic partnership taps into the strong expertise of DHL Supply Chain and Cryopdp, presenting a substantial opportunity for Cryoport to expand its reach to global growth markets such as Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa.”

Author Credits – Hazel King, Parcel and Postal technology International