Essential Communications: Nestlé introduces NPD for 2012 following strong performance throughout Americas

Nestlé International Travel Retail is exhibiting at the Duty Free Show of the Americas this year (booth 1123) following a strong year in the Americas, despite the turbulent global and regional economical environment. The company achieved both high value and volume year on year growth.

North America

In North America, Canada showed positive performance, taking into account the strength of the Canadian dollar with growth in both volume and value. High visibility promotions with Nestlé SWISS bars through border shops were particularly successful. Within the USA, both core and regional brands performed strongly, specifically Nestlé SWISS which recorded high double digit growth, continuing the strong sales momentum of this brand in the region.

Central America.

The region showed excellent performance overall during 2011, benefitting from increased distribution and has set a platform for further growth in 2012.

South America.

Nestlé’s business in this region performed very well on the back of a strong Brazilian economy and favourable exchange rates. Other countries in the region, notably Argentina and Uruguay also performed strongly across all channels. Nestlé SWISS and KIT KAT were the main drivers of this growth.

Says NITR Customer Marketing Manager Alan Brennan: ‘We have been extremely encouraged by Nestlé’s performance within the region over the past 12 months and we continue to work closely with retailers across the Continent to develop our business and introduce the Perfect Store™ initiative to increase penetration, conversion and basket size. For example, aligned with these Perfect Store™ building blocks, Nestlé has been working closely with our partner London Supply in Argentina, in developing a CTP (Counter Till Point) strategy at its Foz Iguazu border store to increase the basket size through increased conversion. The project is scheduled to come in to operation in Qtr 1 2012.’

At the Orlando show this year, NITR will be introducing its latest new products focussing on global brands NESTLE SWISS, KITKAT and SMARTIES, all of which present solutions for different shopper needs

NESTLE SWISS –NITR has introduced an entire new range of six new exciting travel-exclusive items under the NESTLÉ SWISS Premium Collection taking this highly successful brand into a new high-value premium level.

NESTLE SWISS Alps – Shaped like Swiss peaks and mountains, these exclusive pralines in eight different recipes (five milk and three dark) come in two box formats – 122g and 240g.

NESTLE SWISS Carres – Unique pieces of chocolate which are the perfect translation of ‘Chocolat Brut’ – delicious, chunky and generous ingredients such as pineapple and pepper, almonds and orange, cashew nuts and cranberries, topping a solid piece of Swiss chocolate. Two varients are available – milk and dark – in 160g boxes.

NESTLE SWISS Tender Rocks – Here two exclusive recipes, inspired by chocolate truffles, are shaped and presented like an avalanche of Swiss mountain rocks. In dark and milk varieties, both come in 180g boxes.

SMARTIES With the huge attraction of the DISNEY partnership, NITR is expanding the age appeal of SMARTIES into teens with a new Shrek franchise for its best selling Toppers single and multipack collection. This blockbuster movie character, along with his friend Donkey is available as a ‘bobble head’ figurine gift boxed with five SMARTIES tubes, easy to portion and share.

New gift packs have also been introduced for 2012 to refresh and renovate the existing range including a new travel retail exclusive high value gifting dome tube with a premium look and feel. Three options are available, all with an exclusive game in the ‘dome’ of each tube: a Cars Hit & Loop, Winnie the Pooh Fishing Adventure & Memory Game and Enchanted Princess Set. Each also includes three giant tubes of SMARTIES. The refresh of the Trio-pack is accompanied by a brand new SMARTIES Toppers range, with a new game for the Winnie the Pooh Toppers, a pen for the Princess Toppers, and brand new Cars characters from the Cars 2 movie for the Cars Toppers range

To celebrate the confectionery brand’s 75^th anniversary, NITR has introduced a range of Retro Toppers designed to bring back memories of childhood and the heritage of the brand. The limited edition SMARTIES Retro Toppers use original Mickey and Minnie character images plus a unique retro-style design linked to the SMARTIES iconic tube shape and brand values.

KIT KAT – This well known global brand is ideal for informal gifting – as well as snacking and sharing. With the former in mind, NITR is introducing a new travel retail exclusive 405g mixed pack containing white, milk and dark varieties of the world famous KITKAT 4 Finger. It’s ideal for discovering and sharing different tastes.

YEAR OF THE DRAGON – The Chinese Year of the Dragon has now started and to celebrate this most auspicious year, Nestlé has introduced two travel retail exclusive tins. ‘Chinese New Year in particular is an important gifting period and Asian travellers will be looking for customised gifting solutions to celebrate this unique event,’ says Alan Brennan. ‘These two exclusive tins, which capitalise on our best-selling brands NESTLE SWISS and KITKAT, are designed not just for CNY but as a whole year gift sales opportunity.’ The tins – in red, silver and gold for NESTLE SWISS and red and gold for KITKAT – are embossed with Dragon graphics and have a premium look and feel. They contain 350g (66) SWISS Napolitains and 450g (10) KITKAT 4 Finger bars respectively.