There’s something that’s goin’ round, that’s shutting our borders down
It’s a bad time for our sick and our old
CNN’s nightly lullaby, tells of hundreds more that’ve died
I shut off the TV and think all alone, how long can this go on? – Jeff Orson, Pray
INTERNATIONAL. Welcome to In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices, our Podcast series in which we speak to travel retail executives around the world about how COVID-19 is affecting their lives and businesses.
This week we spoke to Michael Ripfl (pictured), who leads travel retail business operations for shop-fitting company Umdasch, The Store Makers. Usually based in Dubai, the coronavirus crisis prompted a change in travel plans that means he is back home in Austria currently.
Although the business has come to a halt for now, Michael sounds an upbeat note about how working life and travel is set to return, notably in the Middle East. Umdasch is already thinking about how retail partners will need new solutions that offer travellers comfort and protection in airport environments.
The company has just unveiled a Hygiene Station and other safety solutions for retail environments that can be adapted for airports.
Previously on In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices
April 29: Heidi van Roon, Spark Business Services Group
April 25: Rüdiger Behn, Waldemar Behn
April 23: James Prescott, Harding Retail
April 21: Lal Arakulath, Kreol Group
April 21: Scott Collier, Toronto Pearson International Airport
April 20: Lisa Bauer, Starboard Cruise Services
April 17: Dan Cappell, Ontario International Airport
April 13: Gautom Menon, Wild Tiger Beverages
April 13: Sarah Branquinho, Duty Free World Council
April 10: Sinead el Sibai, Dubai Duty Free
April 7: Jonathan Holland of Jonathan Holland & Associates, Singapore.
April 7: Rob Wigington, Executive Director at the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association, US.
April 7: José Luis Donagaray and Inés Sisto Patron, ASUTIL
April 5: Stewart Dryburgh, Nestlé International Travel Retail,
April 4: Pier Giuseppe Torresani, Masi; and Steve Corrigan, long-time duty free drinks executive
April 2: Founder of Duty Free Global, Barry Geoghegan
April 1: Vice President of Miami-based Essence Corp, Patricia Bona.
29 March: William Grant & Sons President Asia Pacific Doug Bagley
29 March: PMA Canada National Director – Duty Free Jeff Orson
27 March: Paul & Shark Global Travel Retail Director Catherine Bonelli
26 March: King Power Traveler President Rakhita Jayawardena
25 March: Public health expert Dr. David Heymann
24 March: King Power Group (Hong Kong) Group Chief Executive Officer Sunil Tuli
22 March: The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie
21 March: China Duty Free Group President Charles Chen
20 March: Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin
