Furla renovates in Geneva

Furla is pleased to announce that it has refurbished its Geneva International Airport outlet creating a new 22sqm personalised store in partnership with LS Lagardere.

Situated within ‘Your Fashion Store’, the renovated shop officially re-opened on the 2nd of December with Furla’s SS16 Cruise Collection.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this renovation,” says Gerry Munday, Global Travel Retail Director. “The new store looks fabulous and is now in line with Furla’s global identity. I would like to thank Lagardere for their help with new opening, we have high expectations for sales over the Christmas period.”

A story that deserved a sequel: Imperial Tobacco launches Davidoff Magnum Elite

Imperial Tobacco is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Davidoff Magnum Elite, in line with the ‘For The Hunters’ campaign that was launched earlier this year. The new Magnum Elite aims to re-emphasize the premium position of Davidoff in the Duty Free environment and fit in with the ‘new’ Davidoff world.

Its predecessor Davidoff Magnum Elite first edition was hugely successful, having been launched last year in limited quantities exclusively to Global Duty Free in key Chinese travelling destinations outside China. Davidoff Magnum Elite aims to appeal to a broader focus group but still remain appealing to the Chinese consumer. Focus nationalities include China, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Japan, and Russia.

The duty free exclusive Davidoff Magnum Elite is available in three variants:

Elite Gold 100 – The Ultra Masterpiece- limited to 100 pieces worldwide, Elite Gold 100 aims to take exclusivity to a new level. This limited full flavour blend has a wooden handcrafted outer with real gold (23 carat) on every pack and outer, and includes 10 different pack designs, giving the traveller a broad choice. 

Elite White Edition – Limited to 6,000 pieces, this exclusive American Blend Magnum has a light flavour in line with the taste preference of the Saudi Arabian consumer.

Elite Black Edition – Limited to 9,000 pieces, this exclusive Premium Virginia blend has a full flavour and is in line with the taste preference of the Chinese consumer. 

All three variants feature a handcrafted outer with handwritten individual numbering on each one. The Davidoff Magnum Elite launch will be supported with eye-catching promotional material including wall units with red motion laser beams and rotating, color changing gondolas that feature a state of the art safe.

The new Davidoff Magnum Elite will be displayed in special new Product Display Units comprising a wall bay and a gondola with three layers of rotating rings, a clear glass cover and a gold glossy spray finish.

Says Jennifer Cords: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of our new Davidoff Magnum Elite. After the huge success of the first edition we knew that a sequel was essential to ensure we continue to provide our customers with exclusive products. The Chinese market is one of our strongest and we love to bring out products that we know will fulfill the need and wants – not just of this exciting and dynamic region, but the wider Asia and Middle East areas as well.”

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STELLA DAVID, STEPS DOWN AFTER OVER SIX YEARS OF SUCCESS

Global premium spirits business and independent family distillers, William Grant & Sons¹ has today confirmed that Chief Executive, Stella David, has decided to step down as CEO at the end of February 2016 and will be succeeded by current Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Hunt.

Stella David

Ms David joined William Grant & Sons in August 2009 and has overseen impressive growth of the company’s award-winning portfolio of brands. She has decided it is now the time in her career to focus on building upon her existing portfolio of non-executive directorships.

Since joining the global spirits business and independent family distillers, Ms David has overseen the acquisition of Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey and Drambuie, the iconic Scotch whisky liqueur brand, and delivered exceptional results for the business, with great growth of brands such as Hendrick’s gin and The Balvenie single malt Scotch whisky.

Glenn Gordon, William Grant & Sons Chairman, said: “We are all very grateful for Stella’s enormous contribution to the business in recent years.  In particular, she has brought an exceptional level of energy and drive to our business, while significantly enhancing the premiumness of our brands and their appeal to consumers. This has evidenced itself both in the company’s results and the overall progress of the business in terms of the depth of talent we are privileged to have and the amount of passion that is felt all over the company.

Stella David said: “I am immensely proud of my time at William Grant & Sons and there is no doubt that there is a huge amount I am going to miss about the company. It has been an incredible journey, with a focus on building brands, planning for the long term, working with a talented array of people and very supportive family shareholders.  I wish the company every success for the future.”

Simon Hunt has been with William Grant & Sons since October 2007, initially as Managing Director, North America and in April 2013 he was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer. Mr Hunt will take over the role of Chief Executive on March 1^st 2016 and Ms David will continue in an advisory capacity until the end of May.

Mr Hunt said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the great team at William Grant & Sons and build on the strong momentum we have been achieving with our world class, premium brands.”

Ms David already holds non-executive positions on the board of C&J Clark Ltd and HomeServe plc and spent seven years as a non-executive director of Nationwide Building Society. 

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Notes to editors:

• William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium 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 most awarded 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^®,  Tullamore D.E.W.^® Irish Whiskey and Drambuie^®.

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

RE-ELECTED TFWA PRESIDENT LAUNCHES STRATEGY REVIEW

TFWA is pleased to announce that Erik Juul-Mortensen has been elected to the presidency of the Association for a further term of one year.

The election took place during the quarterly meeting of the TFWA Management Committee on Friday 11^th December in Paris and the vote was carried unanimously.

At the meeting, members of the Board and executive team provided a detailed report on the success of the Association’s activities over the past year, and the Management Committee members were given the opportunity to discuss plans for forthcoming events and also the objectives of a mid- to long-term strategy review for the Association which will be conducted in early 2016.

The Management Committee also decided on the charities which will receive financial support from TFWA Care in 2016. The executive team reported that TFWA Care is receiving requests for funding from charities all over the world in ever-increasing numbers and reiterated that each request is assessed according to the operating criteria of the organisation.

The Management Committee was also given a summary of the financial affairs of the Association for the period 1 May 2014 to 30 April 2015. Frederic Garcia-Pelayo, TFWA Vice-President Financial commented, “I am pleased to report that the financial affairs of TFWA are in good order, with a healthy net profit after tax from our activities in the last financial year which will further consolidate the Association and enable it to invest in  future activities for the benefit of members and the industry as a whole.”

Commenting on his re-election, Juul-Mortensen said, “I am honoured to be asked to assume the Presidency of TFWA for a further year. Among our priorities in 2016 will be the mid- to long-term strategy review of TFWA and its activities. I look forward to working alongside the TFWA Board, Management Committee and executive team on this important project which will, ultimately, define how our activities evolve in the next five to ten years.”

Juul-Mortensen has been a member of the TFWA Management Committee since the Association was founded in 1984. He was elected to the Board in 1986, serving as Vice President Marketing & Communication for ten years with a further year as VP Special Projects. He was elected President in September 1999.

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

INVU by Swiss Eyewear Group wins prestigious Vision Monday and 20/20 EyeVote Award

INVU by Swiss Eyewear Group has been selected as the favorite new sunglass brand by US optical retailers, based on the EyeVote Reader’s Choice Awards for 2015.  This important award from the readers of 20/20 and Vision Monday, the leading optical industry trade magazines, comes just a year after INVU was successfully launched in more than 70 countries.  “We are extremely pleased and proud that INVU has been voted the top new sunglass product in the largest sunglass market in the world” says Rebecca Harwood Lincoln, Director Global Travel Retail for Swiss Eyewear Group.  “This vote of confidence from US optical retailers echoes the comments from retailers around the world - INVU sunglasses enjoy exceptional retail sell-out success thanks to commercial styling, Swiss quality and engineering and the amazing ultra polarized lens technology”.

INVU ultra polarized sunglasses by Swiss Eyewear Group are available in optical retailers and in travel retail worldwide at a customer friendly price from 40 Euro, offering outstanding value for customers.

Please contact Martyn Westbury at martyn@newthing.uk.com if you would like to have additional information about INVU by Swiss Eyewear Group or if you would like to view the complete INVU travel retail collection.

Swiss Eyewear Group (International) AG is a registered, privately held company with its headquarters in Zürich Switzerland. INVU is a registered trademark of Swiss Eyewear Group (International) AG.

MEADFA RENEWS TFWA MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

MEADFA is delighted to announce that it has renewed TFWA’s contract to manage the annual conference on its behalf for a further two years.

The announcement follows the successful staging of the 2015 MEADFA Conference at the Dead Sea in Jordan last month.

The new agreement covers the conferences in November 2016 in Dubai and in the following year (venue to be confirmed).

Sean Staunton, President MEADFA commented, “On behalf of the Association I would like to thank the management and staff of TFWA for their support in the organisation of the 2015 MEADFA Conference, for which feedback from delegates has been very positive. I am delighted that we will be working together on the next two events.”

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA added: “The TFWA team has always enjoyed working with MEADFA on its annual conference and we are very pleased to continue that relationship. The Middle East and Africa region is vital to the health of the global industry and we are determined to play our part in its continued growth. We look forward to embarking on plans for the events in 2016 and 2017.”

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

Zurich Airport shows some of the best Lanson has to offer this December

Champagne Lanson, one of the most well-regarded champagne houses, continues to bring Christmas cheer to passengers this holiday season with a new promotion run in partnership with Nuance.

Currently being highlighted at Zurich Airport Departure Level 1 is the Lanson Extra Age Brut and Lanson Black Label offered in a Travel Retail exclusive gift pack.

Available from the 1st December until the 28th December, the two products are highlighted on eye-catching promotional plinths and the addition of a tasting bar ensures that everyone can experience the great taste of Lanson before they buy. Champagne Lanson will also be offering travellers 20% off its Twin-Pack Black and Rosé Label (2x75cl).

Olivier De La Giraudière, Export Director of Lanson Champagne comments, “The holiday season is a fabulous time of the year for everyone, so we wanted to highlight what great Lanson products can be bought for friends and family at this time of year. The promotional space has been designed to be as eye-catching as possible and with the added incentive of the tasting bar, we are positive that we will satisfy our regular customers, as well as gaining some new ones.”

Furla opens new store in Phuket

Furla is pleased to announce the opening of a new 80sqm boutique in the Phuket Downtown Galleria with Kingpower International Co. Ltd.

The beautiful new store, situated within the Kingpower Phuket Complex, opening officially on December 1st, with Furla’s SS15 Cruise collection.

Says Gerry Munday, Global Travel Retail Director:  “This is a fabulous new store which we are very proud of. I’d like to thank Kingpower International for their help with this opening - a delight to work with as always.”

GLENFIDDICH EXPANDS DISTILLERY TO MEET GLOBAL DEMAND FOR ITS WORLD’S MOST AWARDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Glenfiddich has announced exciting plans to increase the capacity of its distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

The multi-million pound expansion will allow Glenfiddich to meet increasing global demand for its World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Whisky and the planning application has now been given the stamp of approval from Moray Council.

Glenfiddich is family owned and it is this independence that enables the brand to plan in the long term and think in 20, 30 and even 40 year cycles. The architectural plans have been designed to sympathetically evolve the distillery capacity whilst maintaining the current look and feel of the iconic site as it supports the long term growth of the brand.

Enda O’Sullivan, global brand director of Glenfiddich, said: “As a family owned business it is in our DNA to protect the future and think in the long term. This means managing our stock profile carefully and leading the category through innovation and creativity. The expansion plans enable us to help meet these objectives. We are delighted that the plans have been approved and that we can continue to meet the needs of our discerning drinkers all over the world long, long into the future.”

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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 1887. 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 Drambuie®.

Recent Awards:

International Wine and Spirits Competition 2015

·       Gold Outstanding: Glenfiddich Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 21 Year Old

International Spirits Challenge 2015

·       Gold: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old

Scotch Whisky Masters 2015

·       Master: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old

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

Galaxy® gears up for global travel retail growth

An enthusiastic reception to the Galaxy® roadshow at the MEADFA Conference in Jordan has set the scene for the brand’s global launch and accelerated activity within the Middle East.

Attending the conference – set against the magnificent backdrop of the Dead Sea -  Simon Knapp, Sales Director – EMEA, Indian Sub Continent & Americas, Mars International Travel Retail said he was delighted with the response from retailers attending over the two days.

“This is a very important region for the brand and investing in an event such as the MEADFA Conference underlines our commitment to the Middle East. We have built an incredible support package of new products, stunning branded displays and innovative activations for Galaxy, including a programme of HPP with key airports in the region,” he said. “Having an attractive stand along with Galaxy® hostesses in their innovative dresses sampling the brand gives delegates a hint of what we can do within an airport environment”.   

Galaxy® is the 5^th biggest chocolate brand in the world and the number 1 pure chocolate brand and, says Knapp: “We know that is a recipe for global success in ITR.  Galaxy also gives Mars ITR the opportunity to develop our ‘showing thought’ category by offering more gifting solutions.”   

Galaxy® is particularly attractive to passengers from China, UK, USA and the Middle East where it has a very strong presence in the local market.  “2016 will be the year where we take our ITR Galaxy® proposition to a wider audience with a Global Launch with Key retailers in key airports across the world,” says Knapp. “There really is a huge opportunity for the brand in all markets.”

The Middle East will see the first HPP activations for the new Galaxy® portfolio starting with Dubai Duty Free. In the second half of 2016 a global campaign will see activations in key airports worldwide.

TYKO BRANDS RECORDS SENSATIONAL GROWTH AND PUTS PLANS INTO PLACE FOR 2016

Tyko Brands, one of the leading suppliers of Watches and Sunglasses to the travel retail sector, will be storming into 2016 after recording another extremely successful year for its brand Breo. The UK born brand has recorded a 75% growth year on year since 2014, and has seen a phenomenal response by airlines and retailers since its initial launch in 2008.

Within two years of its initial launch, Tyko saw an incredible 4 million Breo units sold on-board; so it’s no wonder that inflight sales will remain a core focus for Breo in 2016. But the brand has also experienced a huge demand over the past 12 months from global ground stores. From this demand Breo has managed to build a strong portfolio of key retailer locations, which include 20 in the America’s, 18 within Europe, 10 in the Middle East and 7 within Asia Pacific.

Tyko Brands travel retail director Martin Lovatt comments, “The last couple of years for the Breo brand has been amazing, we are currently seeing average monthly sales of the range from 150 to 730 units, which is truly fantastic. The extraordinary sales figures enjoyed on-board are now being mirrored in ground-shop sales, so we are ensuring that collections are ideal for both distribution channels.”

To support this monumental growth the Breo collection for 2016 will increase by a remarkable 138%, ensuring that the portfolio offers a broad range of designs to appeal to retailers and inflight alike. Watches will continue to remain the core focus for the Breo 2016 collection, with the introduction of new lines including Cosmo (£15), Moda (£45) and Orb10 (£45). The brand has also developed its sunglass collection with the introduction of 5 new collections, which sees 44 new designs and the range increasing from 70 SKUs to over 100 – equating to a 138% increase.

 

Breo Cosmo

“Some of the Breo collections that have proven especially popular this year have been our Sports Collection with new polarised models available from £35-£45; the Junior Kids Collection from £15 to £20; the Breo Luxe Collection that utilises strong, durable and high quality material; and the Breo Luxe Bamboo collection, which adds a stylish and functional angle to a premium collection. Both are available from £40-£45,” adds Lovatt.

In addition to the success of the Breo brand, Tyko Brands has also seen a positive response to its Kartel collection. Kartel aims to offer consumers diverse, on trend, top quality, and must-have products at truly exceptional prices. The brand was introduced due to a recent resurgence in the modern classic time-piece.

“We did a lot of research before bringing out the Kartel collection. We found that even though there are a lot of brands catering for the ‘preppy’ market, the price points were £100+ so we saw an opportunity to target the volume market and a slightly wider target audience to include not only ‘preppy’ but anyone who is style conscious. Someone who likes to be edgy with their styling but looks smart whilst doing it – David Beckham is the perfect example,” continues Lovatt. 

Kartel

 

Retailing from £55-£80, the 2014/2015 collection consisted of one collection with nine SKUs. For 2016 The Kartel collection has increased by 250% to include over five collections with 23 models. Key features of the new collection include: high precision Japanese movement, stainless steel case and metal mesh bracelet, variations of genuine leather straps and Harris Tweed and a two year guarantee.

Tyko Brands has also announced a major new chapter for Hippie Chic. Launching as an e-commerce and travel retail exclusive brand, the product offering will increase by 400% with new categories including jewellery and accessories. Specifically the inflight collection will be increasing by 250% from eight to just under 30 SKUs, with two new watch collections (£10-£25) and jewellery consisting of bracelets (£10-£15) and necklaces (£15-£20). Accessories will include 100% cotton scarfs retailing at £15. 

Hippie Chic Arva scarf