Harding Brothers seeks to better understand its customers with senior marketing appointment

Leading cruiseship retail concessionaire Harding Brothers Retail has announced an important new appointment within the company. Richard Antrum joins Harding Brothers as Marketing Director in early January and will be joining the Board.

‘This newly created role reflects the changing nature of retailing onboard cruiseships, where passenger profiling and market research has become a much more central and vital part of planning the optimum retail offer,’ says Harding Brothers managing director Harold Gittelmon. ‘Richard’s appointment will be key in implementing processes that will enable us to better understand the specific passenger profiles that we serve on board the fleet.

‘Coupled with the significant inroads we have made as part of Project Revelation, where we have sought to deepen our knowledge and understanding of purchasing patterns by passengers to our shops, we believe that we have an exciting new phase of our business looming.’

Richard Antrum is an extremely experienced professional, having served as Head Of Marketing for the Peacock Group from 1995 to 2011. His marketing career began with brand management positions with consumer goods companies in the cosmetics, toiletries and food markets before moving into retail as Marketing Manager at Littlewoods Stores, responsible for the marketing of its Food, Wine and Restaurant Departments. After four years, Richard moved to The Peacock Group, leading the development of the Peacocks brand through a period of significant growth. Richard holds an MBA from Henley Management College and a PhD in Leadership & Change.

Continues Gittelmon: ‘Richard brings a great deal of experience to Harding Brothers Retail and will play a pivotal role in our development of online pre-cruise offerings, the communication of our business to the outside world, and in keeping the passengers at the core of the decisions we make as a business. It’s vital that moving forward we develop the appropriate pitch, voice and tone with which we speak to our passengers.’

December 2012

Scorpio Worldwide adds Hot Diamonds watch collection following success of jewellery range inflight

One of the ‘hottest’ sellers for Scorpio Worldwide this year has been its Hot Diamonds jewellery collection. In fact, the brand has proved so successful that for 2013 the collection is being extended with a range of travel exclusive watches.

Since taking on Hot Diamonds earlier this year, Scorpio has achieved listings with major carriers globally including Air Transat, Etihad, Hong Kong Airlines. Jet 2, Qantas, Ryanair, Singapore Airlines,Thomson and US Airways. In addition, on the ground the collection is listed by World Duty Free and Heinemann.

Particularly successful has been the ‘Love Bites’ collection which features different pieces of fruit such as an Apple, Pear, and Banana, along with the Paradise Flower and Levanter designs. Every piece features at least one real diamond, and is rhodium plated for longevity.

‘The beauty of the Hot Diamonds collection is that it is perfect for all airlines – scheduled, charter and low cost,’ says Scorpio Worldwide sales and marketing director Richard Kennedy. ‘The quality is superb for the price points and the designs are very unique and individual. For the passenger, the pieces make a perfect gift or self purchase impulse item.’

New for 2013 in the jewellery collection are five pieces from two ranges: Entwine, a beautiful and contemporary yet classic collection and Diamonds for all Seasons, a delicate reflection of nature, captured in Sterling Silver and 18k Gold Vermeil.

Such has been the success of the jewellery collection that Scorpio Worldwide and Hot Diamonds have partnered to introduce a travel retail exclusive watch collection, initially four models are available with white or black faces, white or black leather straps, and dials in white, black, stainless steel and rose gold.

‘Prices will be around the £69-£99 mark which we believe is perfect for inflight,’ continues Kennedy. ‘The introduction of the Hot Diamonds watch collection is a perfect example of Scorpio Worldwide partnering with its brand suppliers and developing specific lines to meet the needs of the inflight sector. With a listing already secured with British Airways long-haul, we’re very confident that the range will be a top seller for 2013.’

Press contact: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications.

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org.

December 2012

FURLA OPENS NEW OUTLET AT SHARJAH

Continuing its rapid expansion in travel retail, premium accessories brand Furla has opened a new 14 sq m Shop-In-Shop at Sharjah International Airport in conjunction with Dufry. A 10 sq m generic area is also due to open with the operator in Belgrade shortly.

The Sharjah outlet is initially stocking the Autumn Winter 2012 collection and it is expected that highlights will be Furla’s icon styles Candy rubber bowling-bag, Tribe reversible shopper, and Papermoon’s colorful mock croc range.

‘We previously had a generic location at the airport and sales were very good, so we are confident that with this fabulous new location and very enthusiastic sales staff, we will really see an increase,’ says Global Travel Retail Director Gerry Munday.

Sharjah Airport is another important step in Furla’s Middle East expansion, which have also included openings in Beirut and Doha with Qatar Duty Free. Next year will see a personalized back wall opening with Bahrain Duty Free.

Trade enquiries: Gerry Munday, Global Travel Retail Director. Tel: +34 609 173 706. Email: gerry.munday@furla.com www.furla.com

Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Tel: +44 (0) 208 405 8109. Fax: +44 (0) 208 405 0330. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

December 2012

Rollout of The Balvenie Fifty continues with launch at LAX

Continuing the celebration of Malt Master David Stewart's 50^th year at The Balvenie distillery, on November 27 The Balvenie Fifty was unveiled at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX ) in conjunction with DFS.

Paige Parness, WG&S Regional Marketing Manager the Americas - Steven Corrigan, WG&S Regional Director North America - Sam Simmons, Global  Brand Ambassador Balvenie - David Stewart, Balvenie Malt Master - Polly Nelson, DFS Managing Director for Americas - Sharon Moy, Assistant General Manager LAX (DFS) - Joe Lyons VP of Business Development LAX (DFS)

The only airport in North American travel retail to carry The Balvenie Fifty, the unveiling was carried out by David Stewart himself, enabling him to share his knowledge and insight of the new product and its premium credentials. Timed to coincide with the key holiday gift giving season, a VIP experience was offered prior to the launch to DFS key stakeholders, giving them a rare chance to taste the 50 year old liquid with David Stewart.

Just 88 bottles of The Balvenie Fifty will be available worldwide, with 22 available to Global Travel Retail. 'We are delighted to be partnering with DFS to bring The Balvenie Fifty to LAX passengers,' says WGS Stephen Corrigan, Business Development Director North America. 'Featuring exclusively for two months over the festive buying season , the bottle is taking pride of place in the TBIT pillar supported by customised brand imagery for fantastic stand out.'

The Balvenie Fifty is presented in a hand blown glass bottle surrounded by a wooden case, created by Scottish craftsman Sam Chinnery. Forty nine rings of seven beautiful Scottish grown timbers mark Malt Master David Stewart's half century at The Balvenie Distillery.

The Balvenie Fifty was matured in a European oak sherry hogshead, rarely used today in whisky making. Filled with newly distilled spirit in 1962, over the following 50 years, the spirit slowly matured into an outstanding single malt Scotch whisky.

Tasting Notes: The particularly long maturation has created a wonderfully fragrant and floral whisky, which is velvety sweet with a beautifully balanced combination of sweet citrus notes and gentle hints of honey, spice and oak.

The whisky has a fragrant and floral scent, with fruit and oak lusciously intermingled. Citrus notes of lemon and orange peel are followed by honey and vanilla and finally a gentle hint of cinnamon and subtle oak. It has a sweet, dry-fruity taste with sherbet spice, toasted almonds and cinnamon, layered with richness of creamy toffee notes and traces of oak and deep vanilla. The finish is velvety smooth with a delicious citrus sweetness. The spirit has a 44.1% ABV.

Trade enquiries: Ian Taylor, William Grant & Sons. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8334 1258. Fax: +44 (0) 20 8332 1695. E-mail Ian.Taylor@wgrant.com

Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Tel: +44 (0) 208 405 8109. Fax: +44 (0) 208 405 0330. Mobile: +44 (0) 7710 219784. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

October 2012

Notes to editors

About The Balvenie

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master. Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.

• Born in Ayr on the west coast of Scotland in 1945, David Stewart joined William Grant & Sons in 1962, the year before Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first officially exported to England. He was appointed the distiller’s Malt Master in 1974 and his renowned ability to identify the finest casks of whisky for maturation has helped William Grant & Sons earn the Distiller of the Year accolade an unprecedented eight times (2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000 and 1999).

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

William Grant celebrates 125 years of Glenfiddich with travel retail exclusive

William Grant & Sons is marking the anniversary and 125 years of Glenfiddich with the launch of a new travel retail exclusive: Glenfiddich Celebration 125^th Anniversary Edition.

The ultimate tribute to 125 years of pioneering spirit at the Glenfiddich Distillery, the 70cl bottle is presented in a luxury gift tin with stag embossing, accompanied by an official certificate of authenticity, leaflet with product story and tasting notes, and an etched solid copper stopper.

Available to travel retail markets around the globe to take advantage of the festive gifting season, Glenfiddich Celebration 125^th Anniversary Edition is now available.

Kate Minner, GTR Marketing Manager, Single Malts says: ‘Global Travel Retail is a fundamental pillar in the William Grant & Sons strategy. The importance of the channel to the brand is evidenced by the development of GTR exclusives, limited editions and gifts such as the Age of Discovery Range.

‘Our 125^th anniversary is such a momentous occasion that it seemed appropriate to celebrate it especially as Glenfiddich is now the world’s most awarded single malt*. Brian Kinsman has created a truly outstanding liquid to mirror the flavour of the whiskies originally produced by our founder, William Grant. It is beautifully presented in a gift tin complete with explanatory leaflet and copper stopper. This is a true celebration pack which will be coveted by travelling whisky aficionados.’

This limited edition single malt Scotch whisky was created by Bran Kinsman, the sixth Glenfiddich Malt master, using whiskies made with traditional techniques first shaped by William Grant himself. The unusual depth and smokiness found in this whisky are a result of the unique marriage of peated Glenfiddich whiskies matured mainly in European oak casks.

Glenfiddich Celebration 125^th Anniversary Edition emits a rich aroma with an abundance of fresh fruit notes, zesty marmalade and spice all enveloped in peat smoke. It has a deep, oaky flavour with rich vanilla oak notes intertwined with a complex smoky character. The finish is rich with a lingering, slightly dry smokiness.

Background: William Grant built the distillery in the Glen of Fiddich, Gaelic for “Valley of the Deer.” On Christmas Day 1887, the first spirit ran from the copper stills. Since that day, William Grant's self-belief and pioneering spirit have always been at the heart of what sets its whisky apart. Successive generations have continued to maintain his drive and determination which is why Glenfiddich is now the world’s most awarded single malt. The Glenfiddich Celebration 125^th Anniversary Edition honours the day one man's dream became a reality 125 years ago.

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Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

Notes to Editor

About William Grant & Sons

• Glenfiddich is the most awarded single malt Scotch whisky in the world – having won more awards at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition and International Spirits Challenge than any other single malt since 2000.
• William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1886. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila and, most recently, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey.

December 2012

HENDRICK’S MOUSTACHE BARBER SHOP OPENS AT CHANGI AIRPORT, SINGAPORE

HENDRICK’S Gin has embarked on a delightfully peculiar mission to restore everyone’s whiskers to their former glory. With the launch of the Hendrick’s Barber Shop in Changi Airport Terminal 3 Transit, William Grant & Sons is helping travellers to leave with more hair than when they first step in.

Running throughout November and December 2012, Hendrick’s Barber shop provides the ultimate grooming service to leave the traveller’s moustache immaculately groomed while enjoying a sample of its extraordinary gin. No manly hair to groom? Hendrick’s Barber shop will help travellers grow a hairy neighbour to his/her nose from a wide variety of stick-on styles!

‘At Hendrick’s, we celebrate the eccentricity, individuality and, dare-we-say madcap nature imbued by our gin. For travellers their dream moustache, daily dose of curiosity and peculiar refinement, Hendrick’s provides the perfect solution,’ says WGS Asia-Pacific Travel Retail Director Scott Hamilton.

To celebrate the launch of the Hendrick’s Barber Shop, WGS is also hosting a number of unusual and entertaining games at the airport, including The Man-on-wire, navigate the trimming scissors across the moustache wire and win a prize and The Fishing game: fish out the cards with a showerhead fishing rod and be surprized”!

Adds Scott Hamilton: ‘We were initially apprehensive of Asian travellers, who are relatively shy, not subscribing to our highly interactive way of brand immersion and unusual way of driving footfall to store. But so far, we have had a high level of participation from all nationalities! Current sales of Hendrick’s Gin at the barber shop have been phenomenal and we see Hendrick’s Gin paving the way for more excitement in travel retail globally.’

For further information and photography, please contact William Grant & Sons Singapore:

– jack.tan@wgrant.com +65 97951950

Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

December 2012

Notes to editors:

HENDRICK’S is a deliciously super premium gin, made with a number of unusual twists to deliver a most curious arrangement. Unlike ordinary gins, HENDRICK’S is distilled in Scotland, in miniscule batches of only 450 litres at a time. Only HENDRICK’S is made with infusions of Cucumber and Rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully floral aroma. HENDRICK’S is the only gin made in a combination of a Carter-Head and copper pot still, creating a divinely smooth gin with both character and balance of subtle flavours.

Hendrick’s is made by William Grant & Sons - an award-winning, independent, family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and still controlled by the fifth generation of his family. The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie single malts and the world’s fourth largest blended Scotch Grant’s, as well as selected other spirits, including Tullamore Dew and Sailor Jerry. www.williamgrant.com

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