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Qatar Airways’ acclaimed Extravaganza inflight duty free magazine has been one of Krishna Kumari’s outstanding achievements |
QATAR. Krishna Kumari, Vice President of Qatar Duty Free Company and one of the most dynamic and influential figures in the Middle East travel retail business over the past six years, is leaving the Qatar Airways-owned group to join her husband in Vancouver, Canada.
Ms Kumari will depart in early August. She has played a vital role in the extraordinary rise of Qatar Duty Free as an airport and inflight retailer in recent years. She drove the Qatar Airways inflight business, and was responsible for the airline’s impressive Extravaganza onboard duty free magazine, controlling its design concept, product selection and publishing standards.
She has also worked closely with the award-winning retail operation at Doha International Airport, overseeing the operation and liaising with management partner Aer Rianta International-Middle East.
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“I would really like to thank our key brand partners without whom this success would simply not have been possible“ |
Krishna Kumari Vice President Qatar Duty Free Company |
Mars International Travel Retail Consultant Stuart Bull said that Ms Kumari had been a tremendous influence in the region. “Under Krishna’s careful guidance the Mars International Travel Retail business in Qatar has grown from a few thousands to millions – a great example of true mutuality. It has been a real pleasure to have her as a business partner. Krishna’s knowledge and enthusiasm is reflected throughout the shop at Doha International and she will be sadly missed by all.”
A replacement will be named soon, though the on-airport retail role will probably be split from the inflight sales function.
“I would really like to thank our key brand partners without whom this success would simply not have been possible,” Ms Kumari told The Moodie Report. She cited a range of brand companies including Chanel, Christian Dior, L’Oréal, P&G, Estée Lauder Companies, Ferragamo, Mars, Nestlé International Travel Retail, Diageo, Bvlgari, Cartier “and many others”.
She also paid warm tribute to a number of Aer Rianta International-Middle East executives including John Sutcliffe, Mike Murphy, Danny Galvin, Andrew Baker (“he taught me the retail business”) and Kevin Farrow who started at Doha International on the same day as Ms Kumari.
COMMENT: In a too often male-dominated travel retail environment Krishna Kumari has been one of the most influential and effective women executives of recent years. Her energy, creativity and determination to make things happen (usually quickly) have been the perfect complement to the vision of Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. Her retail legacy in the Middle East is a proud one. We join with her many friends in the industry in wishing her well in her new life in British Columbia, Canada.
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The recent redevelopment of Qatar Duty Free’s website (www.qatardutyfree.net) was driven by Krishna Kumari. |
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