Glenfiddich Cask Collection dresses up in Brazil

William Grant & Sons has created a fun and colourful “Brazil Dress Up” activation to support the launch of the Glenfiddich Cask Collection in Brazil this month. The activation is being held at arrival & departure stores in Rio De Janeiro (2 terminals) and São Paulo (3 terminals) throughout May.

The promotion entails the makeover of 10 stores, covering them with big banners, backlights, videos and additional gondola/backwall exposure. Tastings are being held in 6 stores with decorated bars, promoters and informative leaflets.

Says Laura Chedid, Dufry Global Promotion Manager for Liquors: “We are thrilled to partner with William Grant & Sons to launch the Glenfiddich Cask Collection. The Brazilians' interest for premium whiskies has been growing and to be able to taste the three variants while shopping in our stores will definitely make them appreciate the brand even more.”

Adds Jose Castellvi, WGS Regional Director Duty Free Latin America & Carribean: “On behalf of William Grant & Sons I would like to thank all of the Dufry Brazil staff for all of their support in making the Glenfiddich Cask Collection launch in Brazil a huge success. Special thanks goes out to Laura Chedid and her team for making this happen. Dufry is a global parter for WGS and this activation exemplifies our commitment to working together and growing our mutual businesses.”

Crafted to offer three distinct flavour profiles, designed to appeal to the varied preferences of single malt drinkers, the Glenfiddich Cask Collection capitalises on the increasing global demand for single malts and the growing requirement by travellers for travel retail exclusives. 

Glenfiddich Select Cask is an elegant whisky with layers of sweetness, spice and hints of citrus, matured in hand-selected aged Bourbon, European oak and red wine casks to impart a beautifully soft taste. Glenfiddich Reserve Cask is matured in distinctive Spanish sherry casks used for their mellow and rich flavour characteristics. Deliciously smooth and silky, the whisky is sweet and spicy, with a complex flavour that evolves in the glass. 

Glenfiddich Vintage Cask is matured in European Oak and American Bourbon casks to impart a smoky, peaty taste that lingers intriguingly with intermingled leafy, floral undertones. The finest expression of the Cask Collection offer, Vintage Cask is inspired by the first Glenfiddich spirit that flowed from the stills in 1887, when barley was traditionally malted in kilns at the distillery over furnaces fuelled with dried local peat, infusing the whisky with a unique smokiness.  The new Cask Collection Vintage Cask liquid reflects this legacy by balancing a delicate but discernible peaty note with the characteristic fruity, sweet Glenfiddich liquid.  

Each Cask Collection single malt Scotch whisky has an ABV of 40%. Glenfiddich Select Cask and Glenfiddich Reserve Cask are presented in Glenfiddich’s iconic 1 litre triangular bottle. Glenfiddich Vintage Cask is available in a 70cl bottle, packaged in a striking gold presentation box.   

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Glenfiddich Cask Collection aims to offer whisky drinkers three very different flavour profiles. The characteristics of each whisky are the result of maturation in a variety of oak casks, followed by a finish in one of three newly installed and specially created Cask Collection Solera vats. The Solera process, pioneered by Glenfiddich in 1998 to create its 15 Year Old, marries handpicked single malt whiskies together for at least two months, creating rich, balanced whiskies with complex flavours. The process guarantees the continuity of the whisky's flavour and taste by ensuring each vat is never less than half full and is constantly replenished. The new handcrafted wooden vats, created exclusively for the Cask Collection, will join the original Solera vat in the atmospheric Warehouse 8 at the heart of The Glenfiddich Distillery, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.

About William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich 

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.

Recent Awards: 

International Spirits Challenge 2013

Gold : Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old 

Gold: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old 

Gold: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old 

Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish

Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask Reserve

Gold: Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition 

Gold: Glenfiddich Ultimate 38 Year Old 

Scotch Whisky Masters Awards 2013

Master: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old

Master: Glenfiddich Ultimate 38 Year Old 

Master: Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition 

Gold: Glenfiddich Rich Oak

Gold: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich Distillery Edition 15 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old 

Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish 

Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask Reserve

Gold: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition 

Gold: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old

International Wine and Spirit Competition 2013

Trophy for Single Malt Cask Strength: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old

Gold Outstanding: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition

Gold: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old

Gold: Glenfiddich Rich oak

Gold: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

Stoli® named as exclusive vodka for onboard pouring with Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia

From May 1, 2014, Stolichnaya® Premium will be the exclusive vodka poured onboard by Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia for all its Nordic routes. In addition, Stolichnaya® Premium Vodka, Stolichnaya® Gold and Stoli® Hot  Premium flavoured vodka will be offered to passengers within the inflight shop assortment.

Says Fredrik Borin, Managing Director of Fives Eyes, SPI Group’s Distributor for the Nordics region: ‘We are delighted that Thomas Cook has picked Stolichnaya Premium as its on-board vodka. Stoli already has high customer awareness in the region but this opportunity will allow consumers to try the vodka in an environment linked to other positive experiences that they enjoy during the trip, which of course makes the connection stronger.’

Five Eyes has represented Stoli for SPI Group within the Nordics region since 2011 and has seen incredible growth for the brand during this time increasing sales by a massive 600% . Says Borin: ‘We have worked very closely with SPI Group during this time, running staff training programs and regular promotions to travellers through key customers such as Viking Line, Tallink Silja Line, Scandilines, Finnair plus numerous other ferry operators and airport stores. SPI has kept the offer fresh and innovative through expansion of the assortment which has most definitely been a great benefit to us.’ 

Adds SPI’s Jean-Philippe Aucher, Global Duty Free & Travel Retail Director: ‘Five Eyes has done a fantastic job in building sales and distribution for Stoli brands in the Nordics; their hard work and field presence has been most definitely instrumental in our success. This new listing with Thomas Cook will further help to promote sales both through duty free and, hopefully, domestically. Knowing that Stolichnaya is very well perceived by Scandinavian customers on the domestic market, we naturally see them as potentially being our best buyers for travel retail.’

About SPI Group

Founded in 1997 by Yuri Shefler, SPI Group (headquartered in Luxembourg) is the owner of global vodka brands such as the iconic Stolichnaya® Premium vodka range, elit™ by Stolichnaya® and Moskovskaya®.  SPI is one of the world’s leading wines and spirits organizations active in the production, sale and distribution of more than 380 brands - many of which it owns. The group also operates a network of 70 alcohol retail shops, develops large-scale real estate projects and farms ca.5,600 hectares of agricultural land. SPI Group has been a strong acquirer and integrator of spirits and wine companies, having completed 15 acquisitions of producers, importers, distributors and retailers of beverages. For more information visit www.spi-group.com

FURLA OPENS NEW STORE IN PITTSBURGH

Furla is pleased to announce the opening of a new 56m2 boutique in Pittsburgh International Airport, with Airest Collezioni.

The store opened on May 23rd,  presenting Furla's SS14 collection.

Says Gerry Munday, Global Travel Retail Director: “We have opened several new locations already this year including stores in Latvia, Nice and Nagoya. The Furla team would like to thank Airest Collezioni for their support.”

  

May 2014

Stoli® promotions with Heinemann Duty Free see 350% sales increase in Q1 2014

SPI Group, brand owner of Stolichnaya® Premium vodka (Stoli) and Moskovskaya® vodka, has partnered with Gebr Heinemann to conduct its biggest promotional plan ever during Q1 2014 to support the launch of the Stoli Night Edition.

Berlin

Hamburg

“Heinemann is among our key duty free customers and we’ve been significantly growing our partnership since 2010 with both our Stolichnaya range and more recently Moskovskaya,” says Jean-Philippe Aucher, Global Duty Free & Travel Retail Director for SPI Group. “In promoting the launch of Stoli Night Edition to travellers we were very keen to create a great tasting experience enabling consumers to sample our range of vodkas.”

To bring Stoli Night Edition - the original ‘glow in the dark’ bottle - to the attention of travellers, SPI worked with Heinemann Duty Free to create tasting bars throughout various airports in Germany. Heinemann’s Main Shop at Hamburg Plaza, Frankfurt A+ Schengen Shop, Berlin Tegel and Schoenefeld airports saw Stoli tasting bars offering Stolichnaya Premium cocktails, Stolichnaya Chocolat Razberi™ and elit™ by Stolichnaya®. A specially designed elit pillar highlighted this ultra-luxury vodka.

This was the first brand activation for Stoli in all three airports and activations also took place throughout March in a number of smaller airports.

“We achieved great exposure with numerous direct customer contacts and multiplied our sales by 350% over the same period last year,” continues Aucher. “Of this, Stoli Night Edition accounted for around 60% of sales, but the activities certainly worked for our entire vodka range, raising consumer awareness of the brand and enabling them to experiment with the indulgent flavours.

Rüdiger Stelkens, Head of Purchasing LTC at Gebr Heinemann, adds: "We work with our partners to create intriguing brand experiences that resonate with our customers and the Stolichnaya Night edition activation is a great example of this. The Stolichnaya promotion at Hamburg Airport went very well and we are pleased about this successful cooperation and partnership."

“We worked very closely with promotional agency ‘We Can’ to activate this program and they have proved to be extremely efficient. Their performance really has been well beyond our expectations. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Heinemann and further successful promotions for the future.” Adds Aucher.

___________________________________________

Stoli® Night Edition is a limited-edition bottle that comes to life at night and sparks intrigue by darkness.  The exclusive Stoli Night Edition bottle celebrates the nocturnal adventurer – the party goers, the cocktail sippers, the bartenders – to enjoy when the lights go out.

In the daylight, Stoli Night Edition appears to be bottled in a minimalistic, frosted glass vessel that is simple and reserved. The front label has a subtle, almost hidden pattern that absorbs the energy of light throughout the day.  When the lights go out, the exclusive bottle releases a beautiful, radiant pattern using special glow-in-the-dark ink.  

About SPI Group

Founded in 1997 by Yuri Shefler, SPI Group (headquartered in Luxembourg) is the owner of global vodka brands such as the iconic Stolichnaya® Premium vodka range, elit™ by Stolichnaya® and Moskovskaya®. SPI is one of the world’s leading wines and spirits organizations active in the production, sale and distribution of more than 380 brands - many of which it owns. The group also operates a network of 70 alcohol retail shops, develops large-scale real estate projects and farms ca.5,600 hectares of agricultural land. SPI Group has been a strong acquirer and integrator of spirits and wine companies, having completed 15 acquisitions of producers, importers, distributors and retailers of beverages. For more information visit www.spi-group.com

Furla opens new store in Latvia

Furla is pleased to announce the opening of a new 18 sqm location in Riga International Airport (Latvia) with Gebr. Heinemann.

The new store opened on May the 7th. 

“We have been very busy with our European openings this year,” says Furla Global Travel Retail Director, Gerry Munday. “We have opened new stores in Russia, Turkey, Germany, Israel and France already, which have all been received very positively. I thank Gebr. Heinemann for their support with this opening.”

Trade enquiries: Gerry Munday, Global Travel Retail Director.  Tel: +39 334 673 0757                                             Email: gerry.munday@furla.com www.furla.com

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

May 2014

TFWA ASIA PACIFIC EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE 2014 HITS A NEW HIGH

TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference for the duty free & travel retail industry closed this afternoon in Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center, Singapore after a very successful week.

The four-day trade event, held from 11^th to 15^th May, once again broke records for exhibition space, exhibitors and visitor numbers, an outstanding performance which reflects the dynamism of the duty free & travel retail industry in the Asia Pacific region.

A total of 2,683 visitors, up 9.4% from last year, visited the show, from 1,022 companies (+1.8%). Of this total, 982 were duty free & travel retail operators and landlords (key buyers), up +8.7% on 2013, from 255 companies (+6.2%).  

On the exhibition floors was a wide range of international and local brands from 261 exhibiting companies on 256 stands, compared with 253 last year, of which 61 were new or returning. In total they covered 8,400 square metres of exhibition space on two floors, up +4% on last year. 

“The feedback we have received during this week has been very positive,” said Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA, speaking at the closing press conference. “The first year with a new hall is always challenging but now people have seen it and proved that it works, we are confident that the number of stands will grow on the new floor and that we will see more new and interesting exhibitors there next year.”

A total of 330 meetings (+10%) were facilitated by ONE2ONE between various delegates and the 36 airports and 26 airlines present at the show. This in addition to meetings on exhibitors’ stands with airports and airlines. Juul-Mortensen said the service was “going from strength to strength” as more and more people used it to establish new contacts in the region and to have so many airports and airlines present at a regional duty free & travel retail event is a real added-value element of the show.

The opening plenary of the Conference on Monday 12th, which this year took the theme 'Asia: Shaping the World’, was attended by 872 people (+22%). 

The keynote speakers were Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Waloni, Commercial & Business Development Director, Angkasa Pura Airports, author and strategist Parag Khanna, Jaya Singh, President APTRA, and Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA.

Four regional focus workshops took place during the day on East Asia, Australia & New Zealand, South East Asia, and India & South Asia. The overall attendance at the conference and workshops was up +21% at 1,185.

The closing plenary on ‘Asia 2020’ attracted 337 delegates and explored the shopping behaviour of tomorrow’s Asian travellers. The speakers were Jorge Rodriguez, Director of Brand Alliance and Shubhodeep Pal, Vice President of Simpliflying.

A convivial and relaxed social programme aided the networking process: 63 players competed in the annual Golf Tournament on Sentosa;. 710 people attended the delightful Welcoming Cocktail in Raffles, 511 enjoyed the splendid views from Marina Bay Sands Skypark at the Chill-Out Party and 517 attended the sophisticated Singapore Swing Party at the historic Alkaff Mansion. All these were record attendances.

Forthcoming events organised by TFWA include:

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference - 26-31 October 2014 Palais des Festivals, Cannes - 30^th Anniversary

MEADFA Conference –  24-25 November 2014 Jumeirah Creekside Dubai

TFWA China’s Century Conference – 10-12 March 2015 Jing An Shangri-La Hotel, Shanghai - 2^nd edition

TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference10-14 May 2015 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore d –: 20^th edition

A video review of TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 2014 will go live at the end of May at www.tfwa.com.

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

Maurice Doyle set to leave William Grant & Sons for new role

William Grant & Sons’ Chief Marketing Officer Maurice Doyle is to leave the company in August for a new role in the FMCG business. (Further details soon). 

William Grant’s confirmed the move in a short statement to The Moodie Report. The news was announced to staff at the company this week. 

Doyle has long had close ties to travel retail. The role of Managing Director Global Travel Retail (recently assumed by Justin Weston) reports in to him as Chief Marketing Officer at William Grant’s. Previously he was Bacardi Global Travel Retail Managing Director, leaving that post to join Grant’s in August 2009. 

Easter baskets, chocolate creations and croquet -TRC retailer event brings smiles all round

The Travel Retail Consortium (TRC) took over the historic Wood Norton hotel near Evesham, Worcestershire, UK, for its bi-annual retailer weekend. This beautiful listed building, originally a hunting lodge in 1872 and home to the BBC from 1939-2000, exclusively hosted members of the Travel Retail Consortium plus guests and partners for a strictly social weekend in April, enabling suppliers to mix with airport retailers, airlines, ferries/cruise-ships, and distributors/agents within a relaxed networking opportunity.

The weekend kicked off on Friday with afternoon cream teas followed by an evening buffet in the Bredon Room, overlooking the wonderful grounds and views to the Mendip Hills. On Saturday guests were divided into teams for a ‘Chocolate Easter Egg Challenge’. Faced with Easter Eggs, chocolate blocks and all manner of added ingredients from sugar strands to ground ginger to hazelnuts, the race was on to make a selection of chocolates - and then create the baskets to put them in!  Great fun and a huge amount of mess later, the winning team was voted as: Kiran Norman from Twinings, Tim Sargent from World Duty Free, Michelle Ellis from Harding Retail and Nicola Emblin from Condor Ferries.

After an afternoon at leisure, all put on their glad-rags for a ‘Swing into Spring’ Black Tie Gala Dinner, where all enjoyed a superb dinner and dancing. As is tradition, bacon rolls were served to all surviving guests at 1am.

During lunch on Saturday a raffle in aid of The Beacon Centre in Guildford - with prizes kindly donated by suppliers - raised £1500.

Customers attending the event included World Duty Free Group, Jet2.com, Easyjet, Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries, Harding Retail, Tourvest, British Airways. Ambassadors Choice, Macintyre Scott Xtra, Gate Retail Onboard, Condor, and Cavendish.

Says Sarah Branquinho, WDFG Business Relations & External Affairs Director: “Once again the Travel Retail Consortium members provided a unique opportunity to meet people from virtually every travel retail business in the UK in an environment which encourages many of those conversations which you don’t have time for during the normal working week.”

Says Claire Evans. Gate Retail Onboard Retail Director: “Thank you so much for inviting me to the recent TRC weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found a perfect mix on the itinerary, met some great new people and caught up with old friends too. The TRC team were great hosts and had thought of every need, please pass on my sincere thanks, it was a most enjoyable weekend. It may have been my first TRC event but I know it won't be my last.”

Says Nicola Tompkins, P&O Ferries: “Thank you to Richard and the TRC team for arranging the recent weekend event. It was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with some of our key suppliers and competitors in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The Wood Norton was a fantastic venue and the TRC wonderful hosts.”

“The weekend was a great success for both supplier members and our guests from the industry,” says Richard Thorpe, TRC Chairman. “The TRC Event is a unique occasion where suppliers and retailers (along with their partners) can enjoy quality time together in a very informal and relaxed environment. It was great to catch up with old friends and to be introduced to new buyers from our vibrant industry. 

We have received very positive feedback from many of our guests and I am confident that everyone who attended the event, went away with very fond memories and new business contacts.”

Notes to editors: The Travel Retail Consortium was originally conceived in the late 1960s and formalised in 1971 to further the interests and development of the Travel Retail industry within the UK through the member companies.

The organisation's objectives are to improve standards of business within the travel retail industry; promote members’ products and services; discuss industry issues; and provide social and business networking opportunities for key industry customers and members' representatives at annual events. The TRC is also active in raising funds for charity and the Chairman nominates a new charity each year.

For membership enquiries please contact Richard Thorpe at rthorpecatdesign@aol.com

TRC members are: Accolade Wines, Aurora World Ltd, Coty Prestige, Guinness, Heineken, Imperial Tobacco International, JA Associates, Mars, Rémy Cointreau, RT Travel Retail, Sekonda, Taittinger Champagne & Twinings.

*Picture 1 – Guests enjoying crocket.

*Picture 2 – Travel Retail Consortium members.

*Picture 3 – TRC Chairman, Richard Thorpe, addressing everyone at the main dinner.

Stroili acquires first travel retail listing for new Deluxe Watch

Luxury Italian jewellery company Stroili has announced the first travel retail listing for its new Deluxe Watch.

Listed on KLM airlines, this stunning watch makes for the perfect gift for someone special. A simple yet graceful design, the watch 'So Stroili' recreates a matelassé effect in steel, making it bold, yet pleasant to wear. The added use of rose-gold gives this watch an air of elegance and sophistication making it a true fashion piece within Stroili's collections.

Says Stroili CEO Maurizio Merenda: ‘We are delighted to have secured our first travel retail listing for the Deluxe Watch. It is a beautiful piece, and we are confident that it will prove extremely popular with KLM travellers. Our first year in travel retail has proven to be very successful for Stroili, we have gained valuable global exposure and secured some key listings. We will continue to release new pieces into the travel retail market, as we believe providing quality choice to the airlines is paramount in securing new listings."

KLM will be promoting the newly listed Stroili Deluxe Watch throughout May, June and July with on-board video advertising, which can be shown on every seat-back.

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

CORRALEJO MARGARITA CHALLENGE 2014, 3rd EDITION LAUNCHES AT TFWA ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

New Delhi. This year sees Corralejo Tequila (Mexico) organising the 3rd edition of the Corralejo Mixology Competition - The Corralejo Margarita Challenge, running from March - May 2014 in association with celebrity sommelier Magandeep Singh and India representative, Two Friends. The theme this year is “Celebrating the Spirit of Margarita”, giving bartenders from across India the chance to spar for the prestigious title: Corralejo Tequila “Teqnician”. Delhi Duty Free Services (DDFS) is the duty free partner with a focus on social media promotion being done from 6th May 2014 till 16th May 2014.

The prelims for Corralejo Margarita Challenge 2014 were held during March across India – North, East, South and West with bartenders and mixologists from various hotels and restaurants participating. The finalists chosen from each city will compete in the grand finale which will be held in New Delhi on the 20th of May 2014 being judged by, among others, His Excellency Jaime Nualart, The Ambassador of Mexico to India and Raffaele Berardi, CEO, Fraternity Spirits/ Tequilera Corralejo, Mexico.

The Third Corralejo Tequila TEQNICIAN will not only win a trip to visit the Corralejo distillery in Mexico but will also have his prize-winning recipe featured in the Corralejo Margarita Collection. The ‘Corralejo Margarita Collection – 3rd edition is compiled by Magandeep Singh to mark the spirit of the competition. The book will be launched for duty free at the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference & Exhibition 2014 on stand B-02: Fraternity Spirits/Tequilera Corralejo.

Mr. Duncan Lawley, CEO, Delhi Duty Free said “We are happy to be associated with Corralejo which is one of the most popular tequilas with our customers. The mixology challenge organized by the brand every year is a great gesture to develop and maintain consumer interest. It also offers an opportunity for mixologists and bartenders to demonstrate the product’s quality and versatility. Some of the cocktails created through the Challenge over the years have been quite outstanding.”

Mr. Sanil Manocha, of Tequila Corralejo adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for connoisseurs of fine spirits to enjoy unique concoctions made from Corralejo100% Agave Tequila; and for the Winner to be able to visit and experience the land of tequila – Mexico!”

Event Schedule (March -May 2014)

Corralejo Margarita Challenge 2014 Preliminary Rounds:
24th March 2014, Monday - The Claridges, New Delhi
25th March 2014, Tuesday - The Park, Kolkata
26th March 2014, Wednesday– The Leela Palace, Chennai 27th March 2014, Thursday - Novotel, Juhu Beach, Mumbai

Corralejo Margarita Challenge 2014 Final Competition: 20th May 2014: The Claridges, New Delhi

Corralejo Margarita Book 3rd Edition
The Grand finale of the event coincides with the presentation of the Corralejo Margarita Collection 3rd edition. This hand book will feature winning cocktail recipes from participating bartenders in addition to providing extensive information about Tequila.
A handy tool for any tequila enthusiast, the complementary hand book will be circulated amongst guests, hotels, restaurants throughout Asia.

About Corralejo 100% Agave Tequila:
Tequila Corralejo has been handcrafted by highly skilled artisans at the world famous Hacienda Corralejo, founded in 1755. The master distillers have reached the pinnacle of their craft and will settle for nothing less than perfection. The agave plants that are used are carefully cultivated and hand harvested. The tequila is then distilled in Spanish copper stills and stored in specially imported oak barrels, giving it an incredibly smooth taste. Each barrel of Tequila Corralejo undergoes a thorough evaluation before it is bottled in attractive hand blown glass bottles.

Corralejo 100% Agave Tequila is available across major hotels and restaurants across India and through Delhi Duty Free in five variants:

Corralejo Blanco 100% Agave Tequila: Blanco is new unaged tequila taken straight from the alembic still. Made entirely from carefully selected agaves, many purists and tequila aficionados claim that Blanco Tequila is the best. Certainly there is no barrel ageing to soften or disguise the rich, powerful agave flavor

Corralejo Reposado 100% Agave Tequila: Reposado is most popular and has been awarded three Gold Medals in international competition in the past five years! Under Mexican law, Reposado ("reposed") tequila has to age in wood barrels for a minimum of two months. Most of the time six- month ageing is achieved for Corralejo Reposado. No doubt this is why Corralejo Reposado wins the most prestigious competitions.

Corralejo Triple Distilled 100% Agave Tequila: Using a double distillation method produces all fine tequilas. In the year 2000, Tequila Corralejo introduced a new type - Triple Distilled and gradually offered it to discerning consumers in International markets. If you are lucky enough to find a bottle you will be highly pleased with its soft yet rich agave taste. This unique Corralejo "Triple" is distilled first through a copper pot still, then a column still method and finally through the copper pot one more time. Simply put, Triple Distilled is superb tequila!

Corralejo Anejo 100% Agave Tequila: Añejo (anno) means one year, the minimum ageing period for this highly distinctive tequila. At Corralejo French Oak barrels are used to produce the softest Añejo tequila possible. Offered in its distinctive red bottle Corralejo Añejo is the finest example of the tequila distiller's art and skills.

Gran Corralejo Anejo 100% Agave Tequila: Tequila Gran Corralejo Anejo is the exclusive reserve of Casa Corralejo. It has been aged at least two years in oak barrels to create the ultimate spirit for connoisseurs that expect perfection.

Trade enquiries: Raffaele Berardi, Fraternity Spirits World Inc. Tel: +52 5552028779. Email:
raffaeleb@tequilacorralejo.com.mx

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

MEADFA AND TFWA ANNOUNCE DATES FOR ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA DUTY FREE CONFERENCE

The Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) and TFWA are pleased to announce that the 2014 MEADFA Conference will be staged at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Dubai on 24^th and 25^th November.

Work has already begun on the programme for the annual duty free and travel retail conference, which is managed by TFWA on behalf of MEADFA.

Sean Staunton, President MEADFA, said, “It is an exciting time for the Middle East & Africa region with a number of new developments under way. In Dubai, for example, preparations are being made for the hosting of Expo 2020 including the development of Dubai World Central, an economic zone around Al Maktoum International Airport which will have, ultimately, an annual capacity of over 160 million passengers. The new Midfield Terminal is under construction at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and major retail tenders have been announced in various locations including Egypt, Oman and Kenya. On top of all that, there is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 23^rd November and the Dubai Duty Free World Cup golf tournament on 26^th and 27^th November. 

“The Middle East is a dynamic region where travel retail sales grew 11.1% in 2013 according to Generation Research, with sales in Africa also growing strongly at +10.9% against a global increase of +7.5%. We firmly believe that the potential of the region, particularly Africa, is still to be fully tapped and we see exciting opportunities ahead.” 

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA, added, “The programme for the MEADFA Conference will reflect the energy which has always been a hallmark of this dynamic region. It will include a strong African component in recognition of the development in duty free and travel retail in the key markets of this vast continent. We urge all those with an interest in the region to mark the date in their diaries and sign up as soon as registration opens in September.”

Over 500 industry delegates attended the 12^th MEADFA Conference in Doha last November and the reaction to the content, the quality of speakers and the venue was enthusiastic.

Further details of the MEADFA Conference will be provided in due course at www.tfwa.com. 

Ends  

NESTLÉ shows commitment to Asia Pacific with major investment in Singapore show

 Nestlé International Travel Retail is underlining its commitment to the Asia Pacific region with a major investment at the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition in Singapore this year. The company has a much enlarged 94sqm stand and is a Platinum sponsor of the opening Conference. Nestlé's increased focus on the Asia Pacific region is paying dividends, with strong double digit confectionery sales value and volume growth registered for Qtr 1 2014 vs. 2013. The primary driver of growth is Kit Kat, both within the gifting and Snacking and Sharing sub categories. Plans are in place to accelerate this sales growth further during the course of quarter 2 and 3 with a number of shopper activations planned in key airports within the region.

Buyers are promised plenty to excite this year, including major new initiatives for the company’s global leading KIT KAT brand.

Additionally, NITR is using the show to continue the global roll out of its new NESCAFÉ Sharing Bags, introduced to strengthen its presence in the beverages category. Answering new shopper dynamics from both mature and emerging markets, the introduction has been driven by shopper insights revealing demand for a broader food and beverage offer and capitalises on the 75 years of pioneering innovation which has helped NESCAFÉ become the number one global coffee brand.

‘It makes sense that, alongside our key global confectionery brands such as KIT KAT and NESTLÉ SWISS, we look at developing the offer for NESCAFÉ,’ says NITR Marketing Manager Frédérique Rosier. ‘Not only it is the world’s best known and most powerful coffee brand, the various options available within the NESCAFÉ portfolio make it perfect for driving sales within Travel Retail.’

The new packs have been developed to meet consumer’s changing coffee tastes. ‘Smoother blends and mixes now offer the discerning consumer a huge choice for individual palates: hot, cold or frozen, milky cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos and frappuccinos – all are more widely available and more popular than ever, both through coffee shops and for making at home,’ continues Rosier. ‘Within this positive environment, sales of NESCAFÉ mixes sales have doubled since 2005.’

The options are:

NESCAFÉ ORIGINAL 3in1 Sharing Bag 357g (21 individual sachets). Nescafé Original 3 in 1 makes it amazingly easy to make the perfect white coffee with sugar! Each single-serve sachet has the right balance of coffee, whitener and sugar for a creamy and sweet tasting coffee every time.

NESCAFÉ CAPPUCCINO Sharing Bag 294g (21 individual sachets). Instantly frothy and fabulous, this signature speciality indulgent treat offers coffee shop creaminess on the go.

NESCAFÉ VARIETY Sharing Bag 327g. A brilliant selection of instant Nescafé Latte, Vanilla and Mocha. This bag contains 18 individual sachets (six of each variety). Just add hot water for an instant and delicious treat!

Presented in convenient, modern illustrated packs, all ‘extra-cremoso’ recipes offer superb taste and mixability. ‘This range is a super value driver for retailers, offering their customers, delivering a unique coffee experience in a truly travel retail exclusive format,’ adds Rosier.

‘The fastest growing sector within our category is snacking and sharing and, alongside confectionery we see a real gap in the market for beverages,’ continues Rosier. ‘As always, NITR is seeing to engage with the senses and emotions of travelers in a new and innovative way. For families and friends who are self-catering on holiday, or as a treat to take back home, this new NESCAFÉ offer is perfect.’

Adds NITR Global Head of Sales Alan Brennan. ‘First global dispatch of orders will take place in May of this year and supporting the launch will be secondary placement of POS material to maximise the visibility of this new range in store and aligned with Perfect Store™ category principles to actively engage the shopper with new and different product propositions at different touch points in their shopping journey.

Alongside the new Nescafé range, NITR will be featuring the latest additions to its confectionery portfolio in Orlando highlighting:

KIT KAT. NITR’s Singapore stand will have plenty to tell buyers regarding KIT KAT, the world’s favourite break - more details to be revealed at the show! The new range for 2014 includes a 748g Mix Sharing Bag which includes 36 two finger bars of different flavours: Milk, Dark and new Orange and Cookies & Cream. Exclusive to Travel Retail, this unique and different offer allows friends and family to try new flavours and also find their favourite. Additionally, NITR has introduced a new packaging shape for the KIT KAT Mini 517g Sharing Bag that is exclusive to Travel Retail and offers greater shelf visibility.

NESTLÉ SWISS. This 100% Travel Retail exclusive brand is recognised around the world for its Swiss authenticity and quality. Pure indulgence, NESTLÉ SWISS will continue to drive sales value for the confectionery category. For 2014 there are two new versions of the highly successful 300g Tablets: NESTLÉ SWISS Milk Almonds Nougatine and NESTLÉ SWISS Dark Hazelnuts.

NITR's other regional brands will be on display including SMARTIES, which continues to offer massive global appeal within the Travel Retail sector. For 2014, NITR is revitalising its highly successful Toppers range with exciting new toys based on the latest DISNEY PIXAR film characters, upgraded for extra play value.

QUALITY STREET has been a long-time favourite for sharing among family and friends. It also makes a perfect ‘Quality Moments’ gift, especially when the offer is exclusive to travel retail. The new 438g Carton has a new look with an improved gifting format and presentation. As always, it contains an assortment of 12 delicious chocolates and toffees in different shapes, all individually wrapped in various bright and festive colours.

Notes to editors: NESCAFÉ currently accounts for 20% of the 30,000 cups of coffee consumed globally every second. On social media : NESCAFÉ is the fastest growing beverage brand among all of its competitors on social media, currently reaching over 60 million consumers and generating on average over 1 million likes, shares and comments monthly.

Hawaiian Host Goes Tropical With Coconut Caramacs

New Coconut Flavor Added to the Popular Caramacs Line
 

HONOLULU, HI--(Marketwired - May 1, 2014) - Hawaiian Host, the world's leading brand and producer of chocolate covered macadamia nuts, has announced the availability of Coconut Caramacs, a tropical edition joining the deliciously popular Caramacs family which also includes Maui and Kona Caramacs. The newest Hawaiian Host creation features coconut, smooth homemade caramel and dry-roasted macadamia pieces, covered in signature creamy milk chocolate and topped with toasted coconut flakes.

"It's always an exciting time when we introduce a new product to the world, and this tropical island twist on our fan-favorite Caramacs makes this a very special launch for us," said Rosalie Romo Char, Director of Marketingor Hawaiian Host Chocolates. "The response to our new Coconut Caramacs during our preliminary taste tests was overwhelmingly positive, and we are thrilled to get the product into the hands of our coconut-loving customers."

Coconut Caramacs, packaged in 5.3 oz. boxes, are now available to order nationwide via the company website. Earlier this year, packaging for the entire Caramacs line of products underwent a makeover to better reflect the radiant beauty of Hawaii and the true Aloha spirit that can be tasted in every box.

For those attending the Sweet and Snacks Expo May 20-22 in Chicago, Coconut Caramacs, along with the brand's long list of best-sellers, will be available to sample at booth #523.

Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamias start with premium macadamias that are hand-selected, dry roasted and vacuum sealed to ensure freshness. The signature candy, first produced in 1927, combines macadamias with a special blend of super-premium chocolate to create its classic taste. Additional specialty items feature white and dark chocolate along with gourmet ingredients including toffee, caramel, honey and more. For more information on Hawaiian Host's more than 250 products as well as simple dessert recipes, visit www.hawaiianhost.com.

About Hawaiian Host
Hawaiian Host is the largest manufacturer of chocolate covered premium macadamias in the world and is considered the standard by which all others are judged. With more than 15 million boxes of Hawaiian Host products packed each year, Hawaiian Host is the largest manufacturer of chocolate covered macadamias in the world. From premium gifts to indulgent snack-time treats, our confections are crafted with select macadamias, collected by hand and extra creamy chocolate, an original secret recipe handed down through generations. Hawaiian Host markets more than 250 unique macadamia chocolates and other candies in more than 23 countries with manufacturing facilities in Honolulu and Los Angeles and additional distribution facilities in Tokyo. For more information, visit www.hawaiianhost.com. Become a fan on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hawaiian-Host-Inc/227900723928670 or follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/HawaiianHostInc.

Energetic markets

A brown leather wallet with a crocodile skin print may be a simple design, but Furla chief executive Eraldo Poletto has been using it ever since he bought it in a Tokyo department store a few years ago.


"I bought it because I liked it. I was not looking for a brand but a product," said the native of Asti, a small west Italian city famous for its wine.

A similar focus on value for money distinguishes the premium market, which the brand is firmly grounded in, from the luxury sector.

"The customer is very well informed and savvy. She knows what she wants and has a strong personality, so she's willing to spend only what she thinks is appropriate," said Poletto, who is based in Bologna.

"If you try to sell something that is overpriced, the consumer is too smart and she will not accept it."
Poletto believes the premium market is just beginning to take off in the mainland.

He said: "The key focus for everybody in China is luxury goods but I think the real volume of sales will soon come from the middle class, which could reach 500 million people in the future that's twice the size of Europe."

Out of the brand's 344 stores worldwide, 22 are in China, with the most lucrative mainland markets being Shanghai and Beijing. Consumers in the Asia- Pacific region in general are also an important source of income, with 14 percent of global sales coming from the region.

More than 60 percent of sales in Milan come from tourists, many of whom are Chinese, Indonesian and Russian.

Southeast Asia is growing very fast, he said. "I don't like to use the term emerging markets I call them energetic markets. They have already emerged a long time ago. Emerging is a Western way of looking at things."


With outlets in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, Furla will be opening eight new stores in these countries as well as in China, India and the Philippines by September. There are plans to open a store in Rangoon, Burma, in the future.

Currently, the majority of Furla's customers are women. When Poletto joined the company in 2010, he phased out the men's line a year later.

"There was a men's collection but we didn't have a very strong point of view. I preferred to stop it and focus our energy on the core business," he said.

He plans to reintroduce bags for men in this year's fall/winter collection, which will feature burgundy and green in its palette. Apart from leather, another material to be expected is printed horsehair.

Disagreeing with the stereotype that men often use more feminine-looking bags in Asia compared with the West, Poletto said male customers in Asia care about the appearance of their bags.

In the West, particularly for men, the bag is just an object. In Asia, there is a higher sensibility about details and size.

The bag has to be something that you carry with pride, Poletto said.

Simple and functional designs may take a premium brand further than you think.

Eraldo Polettos bags of choice for women:
Polaris tote
A classy beige calf leather bag is spiced up with a leopard print on horse hair, and comes with a shoulder strap.
Candy satchel
In a lollipop light blue, this bag fuses rubber with calf leather to give the classic box bag design a playful twist.