Categories 

The Frontier Awards are open to all travel retailers, airports and suppliers/brands operating in the sector. 
If you have any questions regarding your entry, please contact atma.hyett@emap.com.

Entries are now closed for the 2023 Frontier Awards.

To be eligible for these awards:

  • Entries must relate to products launched and activities taking place in global travel retail only in between 18 June 2022 and 9 June 2023.
  • Entries can relate to products originating in and activities taking place internationally.
  • The closing date for the Frontier Awards entries is 9 June 2023. Entries received after this date will not be eligible.
  • Entries can be made by individual businesses or those officially representing them.
  • Awards are open to sector companies of any size but must be in travel retail.
  • All parts of the entry form must be completed online to make the entry valid. Please submit an entry statement of up to 1,000 words [including supporting material]. Judges will be assigning scores to each category criteria listed so please ensure you address all points in your statement.
  • Each entry must be individual and tailored to the award category.
  • Supporting materials: 
    Company logo (required) - this will be used in the awards presentation so please ensure it is in relation to the company you are representing 
    Supporting Image (required) - this will be used in the awards presentation so please ensure it is in relation to the company you are representing 
    Optional supporting material - this can be a PowerPoint or PDF document of no more than 10 pages.
    Optional supporting video - Please do not upload compressed files. This includes wetransfer, zip files and dropbox links.
  • The shortlist and winners and will be decided according to the final amalgamated scores. (In the unlikely event of a joint winner, judges will discuss the shortlist together at length and will be asked to re-score the three highest finalists).
  • Entries may be moved into an alternative category if deemed more appropriate.

Open to all industry stakeholders

Best New Shop Opening

One silver lining of airport closures during the pandemic was the time afforded to companies to refurbish existing spaces or create new offerings. Activity has certainly ramped up in the past year and we are excited to evaluate new store openings in this category.
This category is now closed

Best New Shop Opening

Please outline:

  • Retail innovation and animation of the environment
  • Quality of the retail design, layout format and concept
  • Appropriate curation of international brands, categories and/or local products to meet the demand of the target consumer 
  • Demonstrate an innovate offer and expertise for specialist and specific category concepts including new ideas to maximise sales 
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Campaign of the Year

The best travel retail campaign, activation, store opening or pop-up by a retailer, supplier or landlord, judged against a range of factors including innovation, concept and consumer impact. This can be a physical or digital initiative – or both.

This category is now closed

Campaign of the Year

Please outline:
  • Quality and creativity of initiative in concept and design
  • A good match between concept and market trend
  • Demonstrate effective consumer engagement, positive reception
  • Demonstrate an innovative offer and expertise for specialist category concepts including new ideas to maximise sales 
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

People & Planet Award: Diversity & Inclusion Champion

Diversity & Inclusion matters. Not only has it been shown to improve business performance, it also promotes societal benefits. In this category, we are looking for individuals, teams, brands and businesses that have recognised the importance of building inclusion and diversity into workplaces, partnerships, campaigns and communities in which they operate. This can take many forms from internal actions and policies in recruitment and training, building truly diverse teams and leadership, creating positive portrayal in consumer-facing campaigns for brands, or shaping inclusive ways of working with partners and suppliers.

Note: This award celebrates diversity in travel retail across gender, orientation, ethnicity and all underrepresented groups.

This category is now closed

People & Planet Award: Diversity & Inclusion Champion

Please demonstrate:

  • Tell us about how you/your company/brand/team/campaign are championing inclusion and or diversity, and the progress you have made in this area
  • Detail your intents and targets for inclusion and diversity and how they are presented in your work or how they are shaping up
  • Provide some feedback or evidence of the positive impact on people and communities, internally and or externally the work has achieved

People & Planet Award: Sustainability

The Frontier Awards continue to champion sustainability in the industry. This award is open to individuals, team efforts, or businesses in global travel retail that have shown an impressive commitment to environmental factors through their activities over the past year – however small or localised – which have had a demonstrable positive impact on people and the planet.
This category is now closed

People & Planet Award: Sustainability

Please demonstrate:

  • Tell us about your achievements and activities and how they were executed
  • The relevance of the particular activities/initiatives in global travel retail/ to your category
  • Evidence of the positive impact from activities to people, communities, and the environment

Rising Star of the Year

New for 2023, the Rising Star of the Year Award recognises an individual that is a relative newcomer to the industry but is making waves as a future leader and influencer in global travel retail – irrespective of age or designation in their company. Candidates can enter themselves or be nominated by a third party.

This category is now closed

Rising Star of the Year

Judges will look for individuals who are able to demonstrate that they share the following qualities:

  • They represent a role model and influencer in their business or sector
  • They strive to achieve success for their team and their organisation
  • They create a positive environment and inspire others to give their best
  • They innovate and push the boundaries to challenge traditional ways of working

Team of the Year

For this award, retailers and suppliers can nominate a team within their organisation for its outstanding achievements over the past year, however small or localised. Judges will look for teams that have made a positive non-commercial impact, i.e. social or environmental.

This category is now closed

Team of the Year

Please demonstrate:

  • How and when the nominated team’s activity/s were implemented and the results achieved
  • How the team and individuals went above and beyond their roles to impress 
  • How this team’s activities made a positive impact from activities to people, communities and environment

Technology Success Story of the Year

This award recognises pioneering technology innovations in travel retail that have improved the shopping experience for consumers. Open to all stakeholders, the award is open to established or new technology innovations, from products and apps to websites and ventures into the Metaverse.

This category is now closed

Technology Success Story of the Year

Please consider:

  • Describe the motivations and drivers behind the concept
  • Demonstrate how the technology has impacted positively on the travel retail sector/business and the customer
  • Entrants must show how the technology has resulted in measurable business benefits such as uptake by stakeholders; customers; effect on sales and customer satisfaction
  • Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability across mentioned activities

Open to retailers & airports

Airport Retailer of the Year

Travel retailers have risen to the challenge of the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced. This award honours the company presenting the most exceptional achievements in airport retail globally in the past year.
This category is now closed

Airport Retailer of the Year

Please outline:

  • How has your business adapted, innovated and transformed to drive performance over the past year?
  • What is your proudest achievement in this period and how was it executed?
  • Examples of how your company is improving the customer experience and raising standards of airport retail across the industry
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Best Airport for Retail

Airports around the world are steadily clawing back the passenger numbers lost throughout the pandemic. Ensuring they provide the best passenger experience is crucial. This award recognises the airport with the most supportive approach to travel retail and one that has presented a standout shopping offer to travellers in the past year.
This category is now closed

Best Airport for Retail

Please outline:

  • A culture and commercial strategy supportive to travel retail
  • An adaptive and flexible approach to strategy, operations and financial models to strengthen and safeguard the airport’s commercial offering
  • The impact of the airport’s actions to navigate challenges on the retail business (can include retailer and customer satisfaction, sales, staff retention etc.)
  • Evidence of working collaboratively within the trinity to improve the customer experience
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Border or Downtown Retailer of the Year

Border and downtown duty free remain an integral component to the industry. Many stores have shined in the past year, outperforming their airport counterparts in some regions. This award celebrates excellence in this space over the past year.
This category is now closed

Border or Downtown Retailer of the Year

Please outline:
  • How has your business adapted, innovated and transformed to drive performance over the past year? 
  • What is your proudest achievement in this period and how was it executed?
  • Examples of how your company is improving the customer experience and raising standards of border/downtown retail across the industry
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Cruise or Ferry Line Retailer of the Year

The maritime travel market is having a major revival with recent cruise bookings outperforming 2019 levels. This award honours innovation and outstanding achievements by a retailer operating in the global cruise and/or ferry retail channel.
This category is now closed

Cruise or Ferry Line Retailer of the Year

Please outline:

  • How has your business adapted, innovated and transformed to drive performance over the past year?
  • What is your proudest achievement in this period and how was it executed?
  • Examples of how your company is improving the guest experience and raising standards of cruise/ferry retail across the industry.
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Inflight & Omnichannel Retailer of the Year

The inflight retail business is one that is fighting to remain relevant as consumer trends and requirements shift continuously. Digitalisation is vital to transforming the onboard experience. This award recognises the company presenting the best achievements in this sector.

This category is now closed

Inflight & Omnichannel Retailer of the Year

Please Outline:

  • How has your business adapted, innovated and transformed to drive performance over the past year?
  • What is your proudest achievement in this period and how was it executed? 
  • Examples of how your company is improving the customer experience and raising standards of inflight/omnichannel retail across the industry
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Open to brands & suppliers

Star Beauty Product of the Year

The Star Beauty Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.
This category is now closed

Star Beauty Product of the Year

Please demonstrate:
  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category 
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available 
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Star Electronics, Toys, Gifts & Travel Accessories Product of the Year

The Star Electronics, Toys, Gifts & Travel Accessories Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.

This category is now closed

Star Electronics, Toys, Gifts & Travel Accessories Product of the Year

Please demonstrate:

  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category 
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available 
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate 
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Star Food & Confectionery Product of the Year

The Star Confectionery & Fine Foods Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.

This category is now closed

Star Food & Confectionery Product of the Year

Please demonstrate:

  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category 
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available 
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate 
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Star Jewellery & Watches, Fashion & Accessories Product of the Year

The Star Product across Jewellery & Watches/ Fashion & Accessories (including sunglasses) Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.

This category is now closed

Star Jewellery & Watches, Fashion & Accessories Product of the Year

Please consider the following points in your answer: 
  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category 
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available 
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate 
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Star Spirits Product of the Year

The Star Spirits Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.

This category is now closed

Star Spirits Product of the Year

Please demonstrate:

  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate 
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Star Tobacco & New Generation Product of the Year

The Star Tobacco & New Generation Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.
This category is now closed

Star Tobacco & New Generation Product of the Year

Please demonstrate:

  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category 
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate 
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Star Wines Product of the Year

The Star Wines Product of the Year award celebrates the hero product in this category in 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. You must include travel retail market history, size and RRP details.
This category is now closed

Star Wines Product of the Year

Please demonstrate:
  • Star qualities: appearance, design, packaging, pricing and versatility that goes above and beyond the competition in this category
  • Include performance/social media/GTR activation highlights if available
  • Highlight impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate
  • Where possible, detail a commitment to sustainability in the product offer

Supplier of the Year

The cornerstone of the travel retail offering, suppliers, and their brands, must be innovative and collaborative to achieve recognition in this highly competitive arena. The best supplier to the global travel-retail sector of any size will be one that has provided the best support, competitiveness and customer satisfaction throughout the past year.
This category is now closed

Supplier of the Year

Please demonstrate:
  • Adapting the core portfolio to meet retailer and customer needs 
  • A collaborative and supportive approach to meeting inventory challenges 
  • Delivery of impactful campaigns and meaningful promotions for travellers in the current climate 
  • Evidence of innovation and meeting changing market needs
  • A commitment to growing your category for the overall good of the industry
  • Demonstrate how sustainability is embedded across mentioned activities

Outstanding Contribution and Lifetime Achievement Award

If you have any suggestions for this category, please contact Kapila Ireland, Editor of DFNI Magasine. 
This category is now closed