ARGENTINA. José Taratuty, the founder and first president of London Supply and one of the fathers of duty free in South America, has died.
Paying tribute to him, London Supply commercial director Francisco (Paco) Heredia told The Moodie Report: “He was a man with an overwhelming personality and a very capable entrepreneur, who laid the foundations of the duty free shops in our part of the world. With his knowledge and experience, this pioneer of our industry had lead our company forward since 1942. He was 89 years old. ”
Comment: José Taratuty was indeed one of the great pioneers of the duty free industry, helping to forge its development in the most difficult conditions in South America. He has left a strong heritage in the form of family-run London Supply, which is a powerful force in the travel and travel retail sectors of Argentina and Uruguay. Today the company has interests in several airports: Punta del Este; Ushuaia; El Calafate; Trelew; and Valle del Conlara. And it has duty free operations at Iguazu, Punta del Este, Ushuaia, Rio Grande, Aep de Ushuaia and Aep de Rio Grande. Other business includes free zone retailing operations at Puerto Iguazu, ship’s supply and distribution.
The Moodie Report joins with the industry in extending our condolences to the Taratuty family and to the team at London Supply on their great loss.
