READY TO FLY - NEWSLETTER LTR WA- N°4
Dear colleagues,
As we embark on a new year, it is essential to take a moment to reflect on our collective journey and the challenges that lie ahead.
Last year was marked by significant achievements that laid a solid foundation for a better future, one that we strive for every day: to become the leader in Travel Retail in Africa. Whether in terms of development, innovation or commitment, each success has helped to strengthen our position in the market. These achievements are not only the result of your hard work, but also highlight our collective ability to adapt to changes in our industry and the expectations of our customers.
The year 2024 taught us the importance of agility, endurance and innovation. We faced unprecedented challenges, and thanks to our determination, team spirit and resilience, we were able to turn obstacles into opportunities.
At the start of 2025, we are delighted to announce the planned launch of our operations in Cameroon during the first quarter. This milestone marks a new adventure for our company, which, with operational excellence at the heart of its strategy, eliminates double standards wherever we operate and transforms African airports into living spaces offering exceptional commercial experiences.
Cameroon, with its rich cultural diversity and economic specificities, requires a thoughtful and tailored approach. We will need to familiarise ourselves with the local market, understand consumer expectations and build strong relationships with our local partners. This means adapting to new business practices, complying with local regulations and integrating cultural specificities into our strategy while remaining true to our core values.
Convinced that this adaptation will be an asset for our long-term growth and success in Central Africa, we must prepare to meet all challenges with enthusiasm and determination in order to build a sustainable and positive presence in Cameroon and across the African continent.
Our other countries of operation have demonstrated their resilience and ability to meet the challenges of their socio-economic environments. 2025 must be a year in which we confirm this resilience through innovative solutions to achieve our objectives. This is a decisive moment that calls on us to mobilise our strengths and innovate in order to continue to progress.
Together, we have the ability to set our future in stone and make our company a model of sustainable success. I therefore invite you to enthusiastically embrace our strategy for success and share your ideas, because it is together that we will take the next steps in our adventure.
Thank you for your commitment and passion. Together, let's build a future that matches our ambitions.
Sountou BOUSSO
THE BEST RETAILER AWARD - MEADFA AWARDS 2024
From 17 to 19 November 2024, Lagardère Travel Retail had the honour of participating in the MEADFA Awards 2024 in Abu Dhabi, where we were recognised with the prestigious "Best Retailer" award! This award recognises our ongoing commitment to putting our customers first, delivering exceptional experiences to travellers, while supporting sustainable commercial performance and nurturing a strong, diverse and fully engaged team.
Through the seamless integration of retail and food and beverage, the intelligent use of technology and a deep appreciation of local culture, we have redefined airport retail, creating immersive environments that enhance the traveller experience in the Middle East and Africa region. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding dedication and exceptional achievements !
THE CUSTOMER WEEK 2024
Lagardère Travel Retail took part in Customer Week, held from 14 to 23 December 2024 at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass. Focused on promoting local culture, this year's event was a unique opportunity to celebrate Senegalese identity while strengthening our close relationship with our customers.
We were proud to contribute to this event by supporting several initiatives showcasing our cultural heritage. We provided the models for the opening fashion show orchestrated by designer Al Gueye, an evening that highlighted the richness of Senegalese fashion.
We also offered an exceptional discount in our CASEBI boutique, allowing customers to discover and appreciate a selection of local products, illustrating our commitment to promoting traditional craftsmanship and expertise.
Finally, during the closing conference, our catering team organised a cocktail reception that delighted participants and once again demonstrated our expertise in creating unique and memorable experiences.
These contributions reflect our desire to promote local treasures while offering a quality customer experience. A big thank you to all the teams for their energy and involvement in making this edition a success!
Let's continue to promote our culture and innovate for our customers together.
CHALLENGE 2024 : A PERFORMANCE
The 2024 Challenge lived up to all expectations, rewarding shops that stood out for their operational excellence and commitment. This year, 15 shops made it into the rankings, including 14 in Europe and one outside the EU. And it is with immense pride that we honour Gabon, which achieved a remarkable feat in its very first participation!
With an impressive average score of 380, Lagardère Travel Retail Gabon delivered an exceptional performance, proving that the expertise and dynamism of our African network meet international standards. A huge congratulations to the entire team, whose hard work and commitment have paid off.
In Europe, Switzerland came out on top with the highest average score, closely followed by Poland, which continues to perform strongly. France, with Nice making a strong comeback, as well as the Netherlands, Italy and the Czech Republic, also demonstrated their expertise and consistency.
This collective success is a source of inspiration for all our teams. It demonstrates our ability to surpass ourselves and innovate every day to offer an ever-improving customer experience.
Once again, we congratulate all the teams involved, especially Gabon, which has made a spectacular entry into the history of the Challenge.
Let's continue to strive for excellence, together!
AFRICAN YOUTH AWARDS – 1st EDITION
On 29 November 2024, the Museum of Black Civilisations hosted the prestigious African Youth Awards (AJA) ceremony, a pan-African initiative honouring young talents who embody the future and excellence of the continent.
Lagardère Travel Retail is proud to have supported this first edition dedicated to promoting innovation, creativity and commitment among young Africans in key sectors such as entrepreneurship, technology, culture, sport and education. By supporting this initiative, we are affirming our commitment to promoting the values of inclusion, excellence and sustainable development by strengthening the potential of young Africans.
Our support is part of a vision in which every young talent will be able to benefit from concrete opportunities and strategic partnerships to realise their ambitions and have a real impact on society.
We would like to thank the organisers and all the partners who, like us, firmly believe in African youth and their role as a driving force in building a sustainable and promising future.
We are a responsible partner, committed to excellence and the advancement of African youth.
THE TEAMBUILDING 2024
From 3 to 5 December 2024, managers from Lagardère Travel Retail Western Africa gathered at the Rio Baobab Hotel for a fruitful exchange and team-building event. This team-building exercise was much more than just a friendly get-together: it embodied our vision of effective human collaboration, where each member plays a key role in collective success.
The various activities organised helped to strengthen ties between teams, build mutual trust and celebrate the importance of collaborative work. These shared moments showed, once again, that our strength lies in our ability to move forward together, drawing on the diversity and complementarity of our talents.
This teambuilding event was also an opportunity for the Management to take stock of 2024, looking back on our successes, lessons learned and challenges overcome. These discussions enabled us to share a common vision for the future, as well as the short- and long-term objectives that will guide our growth and impact.
These precious moments reinforce our commitment to building a company where people and excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we are moving forward with confidence and determination towards an ambitious and meaningful future.