DFNI has developed special categories for this year’s awards programme in light of the unprecedented challenges that businesses have faced. The first event, the DFNI Americas Awards, will take place as part of the virtual Summit of the Americas on 7 April.

This year we have chosen to celebrate the companies, teams and people that have made a real difference – whether it is in support of the industry, within their organisations or to the community. At the same time, we also hail the hero products that have made an impact with consumers in the travel retail arena in spite of the challenges the sector has faced.

New categories include the Exceptional Achievement by a Retailer awards, which will honour the outstanding activities by retailers operating in each channel (airport, cruise, land border and inflight) in the Americas against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

The DFNI Americas Awards also provides companies operating in travel retail the chance to nominate a team within their organisation for its outstanding dedication and work through the challenges of the past year, however small or localised for the Team of the Year award.

The Hero Product of the Year awards, across all major categories, will celebrate the standout products in Americas travel retail over the past year.

For this year, our recognised Airport in the Americas with the Most Supportive Approach to Retail, Americas Supplier of the Year and Americas Travel Retailer of the Year awards will hail those companies that have been an example to the travel retail industry in their support of staff, partners and to the wider business. Last year’s DFNI Americas Awards was also a virtual event

Entries are now open. The full list of awards follows, and you can find out more about our new categories including their here. The 2021 DFNI Americas Awards will close on Friday 26 February.

Airport in the Americas with the Most Supportive Approach to Retail
This award recognises the airport in the Americas to best prioritise the need to support its retailers through the turbulence of 2020 and demonstrate a culture committed to travel retail.

Americas Travel Retailer of the Year
The Americas Travel Retailer of the Year award recognises the company that has provided the best example to the industry in its efforts to adapt and mitigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Judges will consider factors including an adaptive retail strategy, customer service, CSR, and employee initiatives.

Americas Supplier of the Year
The best supplier to the travel-retail sector of any size operating in the Americas will be one that has provided the best quality of service, competitiveness and customer satisfaction over the challenges of 2020.

Best New Shop Opening
2020 may have seen worldwide travel come to a standstill, but many companies used that time to take stock and focus on development projects including store refurbishments and build outs, with many opening new stores – from fashion boutiques and speciality concepts to traditional core category stores and new concepts tailored to the evolving and specific needs of travellers during the pandemic.

Duty Free Experience of the Year
For this year’s Duty Free Experience of the Year award, judges will look for creative thinking when it comes to marketing initiatives and customer engagement. At a time when physical interaction is challenged, the travel retail industry has had to think outside of the box to engage and excite the consumer. These can be airport, supplier or retailer led campaigns that span the physical and digital worlds – or both.

Exceptional Achievement by a Retailer – Airport
This award honours the exceptional achievement/s by a retailer operating at an airport in the Americas against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

Exceptional Achievement by a Retailer – Border
This award honours the exceptional achievements by a retailer operating in the land border channel anywhere in the Americas against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

Exceptional Achievement by a Retailer – Cruise
This award honours the exceptional achievements by a retailer operating in the cruise channel in the Americas against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

Exceptional Achievement by a Retailer – Inflight
This award honours the exceptional achievements by a retailer operating in the inflight channel in the Americas against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

Hero Beauty Product of the Year
The Hero Beauty Product of the Year award celebrates the star beauty product in Americas travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.
Hero Confectionery & Fine Food Product of the Year
The Hero Confectionery & Fine Food Product of the Year award celebrates the star consumables product in Americas travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

Hero Fashion, Jewellery, Watches or Electronics/Gifting Product of the Year
The Hero Fashion, Jewellery, Watches or Electronics/Gifting award celebrates the most outstanding product across these categories in Americas travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

Hero Tobacco & NGP Product of the Year
The Hero Tobacco & NGP Product of the Year award celebrates the star tobacco or smokeless product in Americas travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

Hero Wines & Spirits Product of the Year
The Hero Wines & Spirits Product of the Year award celebrates the star liquor product in Americas travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

Sustainability Initiative of the Year
For this award, judges will look for one outstanding initiative or campaign implemented in the Americas, however small or localised, that has had a demonstrable positive impact to the environment and shown an impressive commitment to sustainability by the company, teams and/or individuals on a personal level, in the sector.

Team of the Year
For this award, companies operating in travel retail can nominate a team within their organisation for its outstanding dedication and work through the challenges of the past year, however small or localised. Judges will look for teams who have made a positive non-commercial impact, i.e. social or environmental.