GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY
Being Engaged Globally to Act Locally
Why representation in industry associations is key.
Duty free and travel retail is a business that takes place all around the world under often very different regulatory regimes. There are frequently similarities between topics that are highly relevant for the travel retail industry and those being discussed by political stakeholders, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and civil society actors. Despite their commonalities, they still require local engagement in most cases. Gebr. Heinemann is engaged and committed to an open dialogue with all stakeholders on relevant topics. The company also works closely with partners in industry associations across the globe to give duty free and travel retail a strong voice wherever it is needed.
The company strongly believes in the importance of industry associations. These serve as knowledge hubs either for specific markets and regions or for specific industry sectors or distribution channels such as airports or cruise ships. Heinemann not only supports several associations through its membership fees, but also seeks to share its own knowledge and actively contribute to the work of the associations. Examples of the company’s engagement include sending representatives to working groups and participating in relevant industry events.
In some cases, the company takes its involvement even further when its representatives are elected to positions where they also represent the association externally. For example, this is the case with the German Travel Retail Association (DTRV), where Gebr. Heinemann provides the elected president.
DTRV – a Strong Voice for Duty Free and Travel Retail in Germany
As Germany is its home market, the DTRV is of special relevance for Gebr. Heinemann. It represents the interests of the German travel retail and duty-free industry at national level. Its members come from the retail, aviation, cruises and ferries, and industrial sectors. Together, they promote cross-border trade in travel and engage with politics, other industry associations of the travel sector, and civil society. The DTRV itself is a member of the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC), which promotes the industry’s interests at EU level.
Richard Hoyer Becomes President of DTRV
In July 2022, Richard Hoyer, Vice President Sales EMEA 2 at Gebr. Heinemann, was elected President of the DTRV. The presiding board of the DTRV also includes two Vice Presidents: Karl-Heinz Dietrich, Senior Executive Vice President Retail and Properties at Fraport AG, and Markus Kohrs-Lichte, CEO of BORCO-Marken-Import Matthiesen GmbH & Co. KG. Together with the other members, the presiding board is dealing with several regulatory issues and is in discussion with stakeholders to gain legal certainty and planning security – both of which have a direct impact on investments.
Important Campaign Initiatives Are Launched in Germany
Thus, DTRV is calling for fair rules for travel retail across Europe and worldwide. Richard Hoyer, President of DTRV, says: “DTRV’s political communication aims to create and maintain competitive framework conditions for our members. This applies in particular to tax regulation, which currently puts travel retail in Germany at a massive disadvantage compared with most EU markets.” DTRV Vice President Karl-Heinz Dietrich adds: “We need a level playing field within the EU and between European and international airports to maintain and expand an attractive public transport system.”
The same applies to the labeling of products in travel retail. Many countries around the world have recognized that labeling in English is much more likely to meet the needs of international travelers than information in the language of the respective country. “The EU urgently needs to follow suit here, and additionally create a legal framework for digital labeling so that we can provide our customers with the best possible information,” says DTRV Vice President Markus Kohrs-Lichte.
DTRV Supports Members on Qualified Labor Shortages
Furthermore, the DTRV is also engaged on structural problems. The German labor market is experiencing a shortage of workers in many areas – especially after the pandemic. This includes several members of the travel sector – such as members of the DTRV – who are struggling to find new employees. Over the years, an additional hurdle has come up, which needs to be solved without delay. Depending on the federal state, it often takes several months to apply for security passes for new employees. During this time, employees who have already been hired may not be deployed in the security area – meaning neither airside at the airports nor in the corresponding logistics centers of the secure supply chain. Like many other industry partners, the DTRV is arguing in favor of increasing the number of qualified staff at authorities or other measures that improve efficiency and shorten the amount time for necessary security checks for new employees.
