Godiva reinforces its authenticity with refined collection reflecting the Belgian chocolate artistry

 With a plan to expand Godiva’s presence in Latin America and on-board Cruise ships, the Americas Travel Retail team has exciting and compelling innovations to offer this year. Additionally, new theatre and HPP’s will activate these launches, with a new interactivity concept that all travellers will enjoy.

“Offering travellers a moment to escape from their routine is a real challenge. With this year’s novelties, Godiva has foreseen enticing activations, always keeping at the centre of attention our delicious and luxurious chocolates, sure to delight our consumers.” Says Christoph Neusser, the new VP Global Travel Retail at Godiva Chocolatier. With a strong background in sales and marketing, Christoph has operated in various sectors and in many regions of the world. This strong experience has given him a passion for luxury goods which he intends to use to enhance Godiva’s offer and experience in Travel Retail.

This year in Orlando Godiva is pleased to present its new collections, ”sure to charm and delight our customers worldwide, with authentic recipes and unique creations, setting Godiva’s gold standard”, says Diane Buchanan, Travel Retail Regional Manager Americas/Caribbean.

During the second half of the year, Godiva will celebrate its heritage and craftsmanship with its new Limited Edition: Créations Praliné. This Travel Retail exclusive is a stylish and refined gift-box, offering 18 exquisite chocolates with four new recipes inspired by Godiva’s worldwide loved signature praliné recipe, a well-kept secret guarded by the Chef Chocolatiers of the company. The delicate handcrafted pieces and sophisticated gold giftbox give Créations Praliné the contemporary refinement of a special gift.

On the Godiva Booth (#823), Diane Buchanan and her team will introduce the first new launch of the year: Messages Tout Chocolat. This Travel Retail exclusive deepens the connections, with an outshining and trendy gift-box setting Godiva’s standards in terms of quality and creating a delightful shopping experience. This refined giftbox is the perfect way to express good feelings to someone, thanks to the enjoyable messages that the four delicious chocolates offer.

To bring interactivity on the shopfloors, the dedicated Visual Merchandising team has created enticing theatres and podia, where travellers will enjoy a different experience whilst shopping in airports. A special ball chair, in the colours of the gift-box, will invite travellers to ‘live’ a relaxing audio and visual experience. Whilst sitting in a closed environment an application will allow them to enjoy a moment of “Zen”, “Luck”, “Love” or “Joy”, and to share it via a personal message to a special someone.

To reinforce this travel experience, the much appreciated Godiva Biscuit collection has been entirely redesigned for the ultimate sophistication. The new packaging reinforces Godiva’s heritage and quality standard, with the luxurious gold European destination stamping. To present the new design, selected shopfloors will be decorated with an attractive podium, where a big globe will be the centre of attention.

This collection is a true invitation to a journey of discovery, perfect to create unique moments with friends and family.

Alongside the beautiful collections Godiva will offer throughout the year, the Americas will continue to roll out the Godiva Global Travel Retail concept in the region, with a new opening in Toronto during the first Quarter of 2014.

Diane says: “We are delighted to open a customised space with our very own discovery table, a reflection of our in store design, to allow all travellers to live a unique Godiva shopping experience.”

Starting in Belgium in 1926, Godiva has developed a world‐wide reputation for excellence with a presence in over 70 countries offering a wide range of chocolate creations. Inspired by the values of Lady Godiva, her passion, generosity, boldness and pioneering spirit, Godiva Chocolatier creates the ultimate chocolate experience and makes the right statement, whatever the occasion. Perfectly combining its craftsmanship and heritage, Godiva's chocolate has become synonymous with luxury and innovation in Belgium tradition, bringing the best of Belgium to the world.

Spirits News William Grant & Sons to distribute Flor de Caña rums in US

British distillery company William Grant & Sons has entered into an agreement with Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua for the distribution of Flor de Caña Slow-Aged single-estate rums in the US.

The move comes into force after the owner of Nicaraguan premium rum brand ends its seven-year relationship with Gruppo Campari.

Starting from 30 June 2014, the American unit of the privately-owned UK distiller will take on sales, marketing and distribution of Flor de Caña's slow-aged single estate rums.

Flor de Caña uses the same distillation, blending and production process over a century and produces a selection of premium and super-premium single estate aged rums.

William Grant & Sons USA president and managing director Jonathan Yusen said, "We are extremely proud to enter into this agreement for the distribution of Flor de Caña, an authentic brand steeped in tradition.

"We look forward to the partnership and to working closely to deliver continued and greater success for Flor de Caña and the William Grant & Sons portfolio."

Meanwhile, William Grant & Sons and Campari America will work together for the brand transition.

William Grant & Sons produces, sells, markets, and distributes spirits in the UK and internationally.

It offers Scotch whisky, single malts, handcrafted single malts, gin, and other spirits.

Furla exudes its Passion for Italy in Autumn-Winter 2014/15 Collection

Furla’s tour of Italy continues into the winter season with the Main Collection 2014/15. Inspiration is taken from the spirit of beauty, passion and vitality typical of the Italian way of life, combining the traditions of elegance and art with a love of modernism and innovation. The collection will be shown to buyers at the Duty Free Show of the Americas on Booth 2223.

Furla's Icon Bag

The Furla woman, however, remains the key focus. The first August delivery will be a celebration of red in different tones, from sensual Cabernet to Mirto, Gloss and Rose. These combine with the popular Caramello neutral tone and modern, on-trend grays including Nebbia and Mist. As always, classic leathers Ares, Cervo and Nappa feature strongly, alongside inspirational new leathers like Vitello Pop star with its contemporary style, and Ring Lizard print, ultra-sophisticated and unique.

Winter-inspired colours dominate the September delivery: cool, chic grays in two different tones of Mist and Nebbia combine easily with neutral colours and with a cheerful slash of flashy, ultra bright Nettare yellow. The still popular animal print theme returns with a wonderful Giaguaro print, while elevated fur brings an elegance of its own.

The final delivery, leading up to the holiday season, brings novelty and magic with metallic tones, light gold and dark lead colours mixing with brights such as Cabernet, Rose and Gloss. Grays Nebbia and Mist still feature, ensuring a perfect balance. New materials such as a metallic python, Vitello Shiny and soft lamb fur emerge here, while the strongest highlight is two special flower prints created exclusively for Furla by Danish artist-florist Nicolai Bergman, based in Japan. Designed specifically to celebrate the Holiday Season, elements of the prints also feature on the new Furla gift bags.

As always the collection is divided into Basic, Premium, Iconic, Fashion and Candy themes with a combination of carryover lines and new looks. This season sees generally fewer styles but with a wider range of colour and material options.

The Basic range focuses on essential design, functionality and use, offering great value bags at a minimal price without compromising on function and fashion. New quintessential styles – such as a crossbody style - are offered in a wide range of colours both in Saffiano and Cervo leathers. There are perfect carryalls – practical, sophisticated and chic with improved construction and refined detail. Some lines feature new Furla charms to elevate the brands image. Example travel retail prices are $US198 to $348.

The Premium segment focuses on on-trend designs combining design, functionality and price positioning. There are new zip-top totes in two sizes with a shoulder strap in Abrasivato giving a modern touch; various popular and timeless pochettes; two key-item Ares satchels in a wide range of colours. Key is a new line of simple totes with shoulder and top handle functionality. Reworked internal construction with internal organizational pockets creates a totally versatile bag for every day, work or play. Modern dome and hobo shapes are also featured here in new chic Vitello Pop Star. Typical travel retail prices are $US220 to $US548

The Icon line builds Furla’s brand image and value with unique, irreplaceable and timeless pieces which go beyond functionality to becoming desirable items in their own right. New icon shapes in Vitello Pop Star and elevated Cavallino Giaguaro print feature minimal hardware with functional silhouettes and instantly recognizable zipper pull detail and asymmetrical zip. Meanwhile iconic best sellers return with a strong colour palette which can be merchandised in colour runs for a strong visual impact instore. New shapes includes a small shoulder bag for every day or evening use in sophisticated Toro leather, while the iconic pochette returns with a new chic metallic plaque with embossed Furla branding. Typical travel retail prices are $US278 to $US698

Furla’s Fashion offer combines unique shapes, materials and colours, evolving the brand and keeping it right up to date with design innovation. New styles and fashionable silhouettes are offered in Lucertolina Fur and smooth leather in classic colourways. Precious and unique bags feature a bold metal bar detail. Also featured is the must-have mini crossbody – functional, fashionable and lightweight – available in Ares with a refreshed colour palette, Saffiano, and exclusive Metallic Python and Flower Prints. Typical travel retail prices are $US298 to $US998

Furla’s highly successful CANDY collection in gomma gel is refreshed for the season in new solid colourways including Caramel and Acacia neutrals with pops of colours such as Gloss, Nettare and a Neutral Gray. New novelty metallic stud details are mixed with the gomma gel to provide variety and texture whilst maintaining a sharp price position. New trendy colours of the season feature, along with the new Floral Print. Typical travel retail prices are $US148 to $US448

Autumn Winter 2014 also sees a review of Furla’s small leather goods range with a focus on brand, functionality, high quality and design. Wide colour runs and giftable items are vital with complementary lines to complete the overall Furla lifestyle. Internal and external construction has been given a complete review with new flap dimensions and rounded corners to give extra femininity. External quality has also been improved with all edge finishes in leather, metal external zips and a new Mouaré lining. Mini bags are hot property and Furla’s offer for Autumn Winter includes a number of new lines in various materials and colourways.

The new collection is launched against a backdrop of further travel retail success for Furla in 2013. ‘We have estimated that some 1.2bn people walk through airports where the Furla brand is now present each year; it continues to be a vital showcase for the brand and we are extremely pleased with the results,’ says Global Travel Retail Director Gerry Munday. ‘The Americas performed very well for Furla last year and 2014 sees new travel retail openings for boutiques in Pittsburgh, Iquique and San Ysidro.’

‘As we know, the product is “king” and the Autumn Winter 2014/15 collection continues to raise the bar in terms of quality and innovation. Furla is renowned for its originality and attention to detail; this collection again demonstrates Furla’s willingness to “dare” with new materials, new shape concepts and new prints. It’s a truly inspiring and energetic collection which I am delighted to introduce to buyers at the Orlando show this year.’

News Alert: William Grant USA To Take On Upscale Rum Brand Flor de Caña

William Grant & Sons USA is set to become the U.S. agent for the super-premium Flor de Caña rum brand, Shanken News Daily has learned. Flor de Caña has been handled by Campari America in the U.S. market for the past seven years and is now at 94,000 cases, up from 81,000 cases in 2011, according to Impact Databank. Flor de Caña’s contract with Campari runs outJune 30, with William Grant & Sons and Campari agreeing to cooperatively transition the brand.

Crafted from estate-grown sugar cane in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua, Flor de Caña’s range of aged rums includes 4 Extra Seco, 4 Añejo Oro, 5 Añejo Clasico, 7 Gran Reserva, Centenario 12 and Centenario 18, as well as Centenario 25, which is currently limited to duty free. Pricing ranges from around $18 up through $50 a bottle.

The addition of Flor de Caña continues William Grant & Sons’ ongoing diversification of its portfolio beyond its core Scotch whisky business. In the U.S., the company has already demonstrated a successful brand-building blueprint in multiple segments, including gin—where Hendrick’s was up 20% to 210,000 cases last year—and rum, where Sailor Jerry has nearly doubled since 2008 to more than 700,000 cases. With Flor de Caña, Grant USA will see whether it can extend its rum category progress up the pricing ladder.

As global luxury market slows, accessories lead the way

MILAN - With sales in the global luxury sector starting to slow, Italian shoes and handbags stand out as powerful growth engines as the middle classes in emerging economies indulge the urge to accessorise.

Companies like Casadei and Furla, which showed off their latest collections at Milan Fashion Week alongside the catwalk shows, are reaping the benefits.

"Our turnover grew by seven percent last year," family-owned Furla's chief executive Eraldo Poletto told AFP in an interview in his Milan showroom, showing off a line of pastel-coloured bags inspired by Japanese flower prints.

Poletto said the best-performing markets for Furla were Japan and Asia as a whole and tourist centres in Europe—part of what he called a "Silk Road" of well-heeled shoppers that connects Dubai and Moscow, Singapore and New York.

"This is kind of our moment," the executive said at a crowded presentation where international buyers in town for fashion week browsed the wallets, clutch bags and satchels -- with fur trimmings, pastel colours or animal prints.

Cesare Casadei, chairman of his family-owned shoe label, said the company was planning to open two mono-brand stores in Beijing and Shanghai and looking to expand in the Middle East after opening stores in Dubai and Riyadh.

"These are markets in major upheaval, major expansion," he said, showing off a collection that ranged from sandals with ornate patterns and gold trimmings to the company's signature "Blade" pumps with impossibly high heels.

"Eighty percent of our production is exported and we want to widen our global distribution," said Casadei, who grew up next to the shoe factory set up by his parents in 1958 near the seaside town of Rimini in northeast Italy.

A recent study by the consultancy Bain & Company found accessories were the fastest-growing part of the luxury goods market, with an estimated increase in 2013 of four percent from 2012 compared to a rate of two percent overall.

Leather and accessories were the "resilient champions," the report said.

It also found that Italian luxury brands have gained the largest market share of luxury sales, moving from 21 percent in 1995 to 24 percent now, nearly equalling French brands' share of 25 percent.

'Wardrobe as art exhibition'

Jane Reeve, the new chief executive of Italy's fashion chamber, said Italian shoes were all about the "precision and excellence" of small artisans.

"I've always had a fetish for shoes!" the Milan-based Reeve laughed, saying that growing up in Britain she had dreamt of one day importing Italian shoes.

Alberto Moretti, a young luxury shoemaker whose designs are worn by stars from Elton John to Lady Gaga to Cameron Diaz, said the distinguishing characteristic of Italian craftsmen was the creativity of individual masters.

The craftsman "becomes a designer too", said Moretti, whose only mono-brand store is in Saint-Tropez in France but who is also reaching out to Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea and planning to open in Milan or Paris by the end of 2014.

Asked the eternal question of how many pairs of shoes a woman should have in her closet, Casadei said: "Limitless."

"I like to imagine the wardrobe as an art exhibition. You cannot say it is complete with these paintings, there is always another one to add that completes the collection that little bit more," he said.

"It is an accessory that no woman will ever forget. Every woman can remember the first time she wore heels—she has photographed the moment for life." — AFP

Emerging Asia’s wealth to overtake US by 2015

Despite being home to some of the poorest people in the world, financial wealth in emerging Asia is set to outpace that of the U.S. by 2015, HSBC analysts have found.

The investment bank said that while it's important to remember that some countries in the region suffer the worst cases of poverty, the rise of Asian wealth which powers luxury sales, for example, has been stupendous.

As a result, Asia, including Japan, has more than tripled its financial wealth since 2001 to just over $80 trillion, HSBC analysts found.

"Assuming that current trends persist, emerging Asia should surpass the United States by 2015… Leaving out China as well, the region would take (just) another ten years to exceed U.S. financial wealth," said Frederic Neumann, MD & co-head of Asian economics research at HSBC.

The HSBC analysts assessed individual countries' financial wealth, including money held by governments, by adding together the value of bonds and stocks to broad money supply, before subtracting net foreign holdings and calculating each country's wealth in U.S. dollars.

They acknowledged it was difficult to analyze precisely how rich the region has become due to a lack of consistent data on the share of households in total financial wealth and in terms of the value of real assets like real estate.

The report found that while Japan used to dominate Asia in terms of financial wealth, China has been quickly catching up, snatching Japan's title as the world's number two economy in gross domestic product terms back in 2010.

But in terms of financial wealth, HSBC estimates China will overtake Japan this year, rising from 13 percent of Asia's total financial wealth in 2012, to 34 percent in 2013. Furthermore, the economy could add some $25 trillion by 2018, HSBC said, equivalent to the entire value of the U.S. residential real estate stock at its peak in the mid-2000s, comfortably exceeding Japan's $8 trillion increase and the U.S.'s $16 trillion over the same period.



HSBC found that Japan, which had greater financial wealth than the U.S. in the 1980s, saw its share of Asia's total financial wealth decrease from 63 percent in 2012 to 39 percent in 2013, a decline the economists put down to the rapid depreciation of the yen.

ASEAN's share of financial wealth, meanwhile, rose to 8 in 2013 from 5 percent in 2012, while Korea and Taiwan dropped back slightly. India could have had a strong year, but the dramatic slide in its currency eroded any improvement.

HSBC's analysts added the caveat however that for emerging Asia to overtake the U.S., current trends would need to persist.

"The road ahead is littered with potholes, and it remains to be seen whether the region can navigate these without a major economic accident. We think so, but history is sobering," said Neumann.


"Still, should current rates of economic and financial growth hold, emerging Asia would own a bigger pile of financial assets than the United States by next year. That's up from 25 percent in 2000. No surprise, therefore, that luxury shopping malls have sprung up everywhere," he added.

One of the major reasons why Asia is eclipsing the U.S., the analysts found, was because many Americans still hold a greater share of their assets in real estate.

One striking finding, the analysts said, was that the value of residential real estate in China overtook Japan in 2012.

TFWA RELOCATES HEADQUARTERS

 TFWA will move its headquarters to new premises in Paris at the end of February 2014.

The new offices at rue de Berri in Paris will accommodate all the executive staff, including commercial, marketing, membership, finance, conference, research, IT and administrative functions.

TFWA took up occupancy of its existing office in rue la Boétie in 1996 with a staff of just eight. Over the intervening years the Association has grown to a membership of nearly 500 companies, 17 permanent members of staff and a portfolio of prestigious exhibition and conference events.

With effect from 28 February 2014 the contact details for TFWA will be:

TFWA

23-25, rue de Berri

75008 Paris - France

Tel: +33 (0)1 40 74 09 86

Fax: +33 (0)1 40 74 09 85

contact@tfwa.com

www.tfwa.com

The phone, fax and email details remain unchanged.

Details of all TFWA events can be found at www.tfwa.com.

Ends

For further information please contact

TFWA Press Office Tel: +44 1784 434 666

www.tfwa.com Email: press@tfwa.com

TASTE THE RAINBOW! MARS FOCUSES ON SKITTLES AND GUM FOR IAADFS SHOW

 MARS International Travel Retail is putting a new focus on its non-chocolate brands including Skittles® and Wrigley gum for travel retail, both of which are seen as having tremendous potential in the Americas region. At this year’s Duty Free Show of the Americas (booth 523), the company will be launching its new “Taste the Rainbow” product range, introduced successfully to Europe last year, to Latin America; while a further block- busting selection is now offered to North America. In addition, a range of Wrigley’s brand gums – including Orbit, Juicy Fruit, 5, Extra and Doublemint is being promoted to travel retail as being ideal for impulse sale at the till point.

Says Diederik Frank, MARS ITR Business Development Manager: ‘The focus in the Americas has been very much on chocolate over the years. However, in the global domestic confectionery business sugar and gum have a combined 45% share of the market (31% and 14% respectively), after chocolate at 55%. In travel retail the division is around 90% chocolate and the remainder sugar and gum. Consequently we see a huge potential for sugar candy and gum within travel retail – particularly for sugar candy. Consumers clearly want sugar confectionery and gum included in the travel retail offer and it is time that retailers and suppliers work together to offer them a relevant and interesting choice.

‘Within our portfolio, Skittles® – the bite-sized colourful chewy candies – is already the most popular chewy candy in America with adults and the brand is one of the top followed on Facebook with over 25m likes. It’s also a top three brand in other leading travel retail countries such as China and the UK. We therefore believe that the brand is a perfect fit for our travelling consumers – it’s a great snacking brand and has the added advantage that the sweets do not melt.’

MARS is confident that Skittles® can become the brand leader in travel retail sugar confectionery. ‘We are giving Skittles a prominent space on the booth in Orlando in order to expresses that ambition to buyers,’ continues Frank. ‘Alongside the product range we will be showcasing various merchandising units and discussing multiple activation ideas that will enable retailers to introduce “Taste the Rainbow” to their travelling consumers.’

The product range for Latin America includes:

Skittles Fruit, Sours Pouch, Wild Berry Pouch – 400g

Skittle Fruit Tube – 165g

Skittles Fruit Pouch, Sours Pouch – 195g

For North America includes:

Skittles Original Peg Pack – 7.2oz, Skittles Original Bag 14oz.

Gum products are also thought to have great untapped potential, particularly for till point sales. In Orlando MARS ITR will be showcasing multipacks of its Juicy Fruit, Orbit, Doublemint, 5 and Extra brands, along with counter and till end display units.

Alongside Skittles® and gum, Mars International Travel Retail (MITR) will also be introducing its new chocolate based exclusive launches for 2014. Focussing on key brands M&Ms®, Celebrations® and Maltesers®, the offer targets the fast moving family and informal gifting sectors with specific items appealing to the souvenir/destination shopper.

Stand contacts are Key Account Manager Karen Turner (karen.turner@effem.com) and Business Development Manager The Americas Liliana Fuentes (liliana.fuentes@effem.com).

Notes to editors:

SKITTLES

Skittles® candy; a variety of bite-sized chewy candies with a colorful candy shell, were first imported into the USA from Britain in 1979. Today, over 200 million Skittles® candies are produced on a daily basis. Skittles advertising theme is Taste the Rainbow”, introduced back in the 90’s it is one of the longest running campaigns in advertising.

Imperial Tobacco brings extended Cigars portfolio to Orlando

 Imperial Tobacco will return to the Duty Free Show of the Americas this year with its expanded range of Cigars (Booth 713), indicating its commitment to offering a complete portfolio of tobacco products to travel retail buyers.

Highlight within the portfolio are VegaFina Cigars, entirely hand-made following traditional methods at Tabacalera de Garcia, the best-known premium cigar factory in the world, where exclusive selected blends of tobacco are created.

VegaFina Cigars come in two variants:

VegaFina Classic – High quality and smooth flavour cigars hand made in the Dominican Republic, with a modern design and premium image.

VegaFina Fortaleza 2 – Intense yet at the same time refined, these medium bodied cigars offer nuances of wood and herbs with a slight note of pepper, creating a smooth and balanced flavour.

The portfolio also includes Backwoods cigars. Made in the Dominican Republic, Backwoods is the top selling 100% all-natural tobacco cigar in the world. Their unique structure and look with a frayed, unfinished end and tapered body made Backwoods an overnight success, smokers identifying with the ‘America’s wild west’ cowboy image. Delivering a smooth and authentic taste and aroma, Backwoods cigars are a must-stock item for travel retail.

Originally trademarked in 1902, Hav-A-Tampa^® Jewels^® has become the world's largest selling Birchwood-tipped cigar, bringing a variety of flavours to Imperial’s travel retail cigar selection. These include:

Original: The original, classic Jewels variant;

Black Gold: This black wrapper Jewels delivers a bolder profile;

Red: A sweet and pleasing aroma;

Vanilla: A smooth taste of vanilla.

Last, but by no means least, Phillies has the distinction of being one of the most iconic and recognized cigar brands in the United States. With an extensive selection of fine cigars for the value conscious smoker, the Phillies portfolio ranges from the rich, full-bodied Titan to the smooth and flavourful Blunt and Cigarillos. The perfect size, shape and blend to satisfy all consumer preferences, Phillies is an ideal addition to the travel retail cigar assortment.

‘Imperial Tobacco’s cigar division has performed well over the past 12 months and we continue to see very good growth opportunities within travel retail globally, especially in US Duty Free,’ says Nils Fehren, Category Development Manager Global Duty Free Cigars, Smokeless & OTP. ‘We are achieving this by reacting quickly and with flexibility to consumer demands and trends with the right offer and portfolio strategy.’

TFWA WORLD EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE TO REMAIN IN FAVOURITE LOCATION

 TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, the annual event organised by and for the duty free and travel retail industry, will continue to be staged in the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France for at least the next three years.

The decision was made following a vote by the TFWA Management Committee at its meeting in Madrid in December. The choice was based on the results of a survey of exhibitors and TFWA Members in 2013 in which Cannes emerged as the clear favourite.

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA, commented: “TFWA is pleased to be returning to Cannes for this our 30^th year and for the next three years. The management team has studied all the options very carefully, reviewing both positive and negative aspects of each venue, and Cannes has come out top once again!

“The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès has all the attributes of a fine venue with good quality exhibition space, a large conference hall, appropriate venues for networking activities – all set within an attractive seaside location with hotels and restaurants nearby. We have also built excellent relationships with the City of Cannes, the Palais management team and with all our local partners over the years.”

The agreement to stage TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès covers a contract period of three years from 2015 to 2017 with an option on 2018 and 2019.

In response to requests from TFWA Members and delegates, the important decision has been made that with effect from 2016 the event will move to the first week of October. The dates for 2015-2017 are as follows: 19^th-23^rd October 2015, 3^rd-7^th October 2016 and 2^nd-6^th October 2017.

The 30th TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will take place in the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès from 26^th to 31^st October 2014.

Details of TFWA events can be found at www.tfwa.com.

PVM brings its Animal Concept to Orlando

 Perfetti Van Melle GTR is pleased to announce it is bringing its highly successful Animal Concept to the Duty Free Show of the Americas. (Cyprus Ballroom 1329)

PVM partnered with Animal Planet last year in an exciting and innovative 'good cause' initiative that is exclusive to travel retail. Aiming to raise significant funds for the famous David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Perfetti Van Melle has launched two new linked products ranges for Chupa Chups and Mentos, both with a strong wild animal focus. Aimed at children up to the age of 10, a percentage of profit from the new products will be donated specifically to the Save the Rhino Project.

The new products are:

Chupa Chups Animal Mega Chups

Slightly smaller than the existing Mega Chupa Chups for differentiation, these fabulously fun animal head outers each hold ten flavoured lollipops. With three different animals to choose from, including a Giraffe, Rhino and Panda, along with a different coloured stick for each animal, they are a perfect gift for girl or boy. A collectible ‘hand doll’ to play with or to refill with lollipops.

Mentos Animal Money-Box

Available in four different flavours including Strawberry, Lemon, Cola and Orange, these Mentos feature in an animal piggy bank. Offered in three animal choices: Lion, Zebra, or Elephant, these chewy sweets are a great gift product for any child that loves animals or loves to save money. 

Each item will carry a hang-tag that explains the Animal Planet partnership and highlights the plight of the black rhino in a quote from David Shepherd himself: 'Over 96% of the world's black rhinos were slaughtered during the poaching wars of the 1970s and 1980s and Namibia is home to one of the last surviving strongholds of truly wild black rhinos. Your money will fund anti-poaching operations and monitoring of the rhino and community education project.' Each item also includes a 'Fun Fact' about rhinos and gives the David Shepherd website link for more information.

The concept is supported by bright and colourful jungle themed floor standing and counter top merchandising units . These engaging units will be hard to miss and are sure to attract both adults and children within the retail shop environment. 

The origin of this project shows Perfetti Van Melle's dedication to its internal corporate social responsibility policy. CSR is becoming more and more important within the company. Van Melle has always focused on social responsibility, but since 2011 it has become a clear part of its company strategy. PVM undertakes voluntary activities to operate in an economic, social and environmental sustainable manner. PVM GTR is a strong supporter of CSR and the partnership with Animal Planet to raise funds for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation is a true reflection of this.

“Our new Animal concept was presented and very well accepted by our retailers and distributors during TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes,” says Susan De Vree, Global Travel Retail Manager. “The first products will enter the market at the end of January. We are very much looking forward to the first sales results and are very optimistic that consumers will really appreciate the new line.”

Also on display in Orlando will be: 

Mentos Gum Bottles – in white sweet mint and white green mint, each handy container includes 65 pieces.

Mentos Pouch Bag – a brightly coloured premium resealable pouch bag containing 175g Mentos Dragees in three flavours: mint, fruit and strawberry mix. Ideal for snacking and sharing.

Smint Spearmint – a new look dispenser of 120 pieces, this is the perfect till point sales item.

Mentos Jumboroll Dutch Design – a new look for a classic favourite to revitalise sales. This is the first limited edition pack designs for Mentos mint dragees. The first is a typical Dutch design from PVM's home country but future offers could include tailor-made designs for specific retailers or regions. 

Chupa Chups Mega Chups Limited Edition – a similar concept for this Chupa Chups favourite. The Megachups covering foil is replaced with a new look funky design reminiscent of a disco-ball. Containing 15 assorted flavour lollipops.

Mini Mix Bag – a lovely gift idea for teenagers in girl and boy designs. Each see through reusable bag contains a mix of Chupa Chups, Mentos and Fruittella. Ideal for use as a pencil case or toiletries bag, versions come in Glamorous Mix for girls and Cool Mix for boys.

Chupa Chups Smurf House - perfect for kids who love the new Smurf 2 film. Each house shaped pack contains 6 strawberry lollipops, four Smurfines and a game. This product follows on from the huge sell out success of the Smurfs Markers.

Continues De Vree: “The Mentos Pouch bags will be available in April and we also have high expectations for this item. We notice that more and more retailers are aware of the importance of confectionery at the Cash Till Point. This resealable bag is perfect for on the go. High rotation in combination with a suitable cash deposit it is a product that cannot be missed at the Cash Till Point.”

Illva Saronno – owner of worldwide known Disaronno – comes to Orlando

 

Join Disaronno for Italian evening in Orlando

 

13.02.14, Following the appointment of World Equity Brand Builders (WEBB) as its new distribution agent for Duty Free in the US and Domestic and Duty Free in the Caribbean, Italian spirits company Illva Saronno will be present at the Duty Free Show of the Americas with well-known brands, Disaronno and Tia Maria (Webb booth 923). This is the first time that Disaronno has been represented at the Duty Free Show of the Americas and is part of the company's strategy to put more focus on the duty free/travel retail business globally.

Disaronno and Tia Maria will be featured in a special Italian evening being held on the WEBB Booth on Tuesday March 11^th from 5-7 p.m.

Says Ludovica Reina, Illva Saronno Travel Retail Manager EMEA, North America and Caribbean:

“ The Americas is already a sales stronghold for Disaronno and Tia Maria; however it is essential not only to maintain that business level but to grow it. In order to do that we need a team that not only has a vast knowledge of the US, Caribbean and Duty Free but also has a track record of growing brands such as ours. WEBB has all the experience we require with a very strong and impressive brand portfolio which we are delighted to now be a part of. We are delighted that Disaronno and Tia Maria will be present in Orlando on the WEBB booth and very much look forward to meeting customers during the Italian Evening.’

Apart from Disaronno and Tia Maria, Illva Saronno’s portfolio also includes Arctic Vodka, Zucca,Aurum, Isolabella Sambuca, Limoncello, Mandarinello and various others.

‘New Moon’ collection aims to further boost exceptional inflight sales results

 New for 2014, with special pieces for Travel Retail, Stroili Italian Jewellers introduces its ‘New Moon’ collection.

Brilliant and bold, sparkling and slinky with contrasts of light and shadow created by a special micro-sanding and scratching technique, New Moon enchants with its assertive, sophisticated style. Brilliant and ethereal, the jewellery in the New Moon collection features large circular shapes with swirling lines and a lunar appeal. Vibrant and elegant with a modern chic style, New Moon comes in gold and rosé versions. Enhanced by a refined aura that adds to the appeal creating a sophisticated and extremely feminine style, New Moon is perfect for travelers looking for a gift for a loved one or self-treat.

A special set, comprising pendant necklace and matching earrings has been selected for travel retail and has already been listed by KLM.

“We are highly encouraged by Stroili’s success to date with KLM and are confident that the ‘New Moon’ collection will further boost our inflight sales. It is a smart new collection signifying the quality and design that Stroili is renowned for,” says Stroili CEO Maurizio Merenda.

This new set is sure to follow the success of other hugely popular Stroili pieces. Known for its design and quality Stroili invests heavily in research and design to produce exquisitely crafted and beautiful products.

2013 saw excellent inflight sales for Stroili, especially on airlines such as KLM which was the first airline to list the brand. Since then the Italian jeweller has secured new listings for 2014 with Swiss Air, Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Condor and Eva Air.

Notes to the editor

Stroili Oro Italian Jewels is the leading Italian brand in the jewellery segment, known for its design and quality of innovative jewellery around the world. It is the largest jewellery brand in Italy and invests heavily in research and design to produce exquisitely crafted and beautiful products.

As a company, Stroili has shown massive growth over the past decade with sales increasing from Euros 85.2m in 2005 to Euros 200m in the 2012.

Today Stroili is known for its iconic and wide ranging designs, covering diamond, 9k and 18k gold, silver 925 and fashion collections. The company is also Italy’s leading jewellery retailer and is fast becoming one of the world’s hottest brands with a rapidly growing international presence.

Stroili’s partner in the travel retail business is LCG-SKYLink.