The ban on carrying liquids aboard airplanes in the wake of the foiled terror plot curbed sales at duty-free shops and had winery tasting-room staffers advising their visitors to ship rather than tote wines home. It is unclear how long the ban will be in place, says http://www.recordnet.com, but the effects were being felt immediately.

Business at duty-free shops dropped an estimated 10% to 15% as stores were unable to sell alcohol or perfume, said Michael Payne, Executive Director of the International Association of Duty Free Stores based in Washington, D.C.

Duty-free sales are estimated at about US$26 billion a year globally. Liquor and perfume make up anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent of sales, he said.

At many airports, customers don’t carry their purchases out of duty-free stores, and are instead handed the items by store employees as they board their planes. The goods are also stored in secure warehouses before being delivered straight to the airport stores. “This is really a pretty safe channel,” Payne said.

At the San Jose International Airport, spokesman Rich Dressler said the staff hasn’t been large enough to implement the boarding delivery system, but officials are exploring that possibility. But other airports did have what is known as plane-side delivery in place.

At the LA International Airport, spokesman Tom Winfrey said that duty-free shopping for alcohol and other liquids was being allowed following a clarification from authorities that the airport’s system of having items delivered to passengers as they boarded was acceptable.

For the complete story, go to http://www.recordnet.com

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