William Grant & Sons celebrates Diwali with one of a kind mega promotion at Hyderabad

William Grant & Sons has partnered with Hyderabad Duty Free to run a high profile, high value Glenfiddich's ‘mega-promotion’ celebrating India’s Diwali festival at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

Running through October and November, the promotion is offering passengers the chance to win a Nissan Terrano car when they spend over US$90 on Glenfiddich products in Hyderabad Duty Free and participate in a simple quiz. Every passenger taking part is also treated to 10% off the Glenfiddich Cask Collection.  

 Rajiv Bhatia, Regional Director Middle East, Levant, Indian sub continent and Africa said: “We are delighted to be holding our very first promotion with Hyderabad Duty Free, who are one of most important and and fastest growing customers. We anticipate that this one of a kind promotion will build our business further and cement a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with Hyderabad.”

India is a massive market for Scotch whisky with the market expanding steadily, despite high import tariffs. Annual whisky sales in India are estimated at over 180 million cases, of which Scotch accounts for 1.9m – and the potential for growth is huge.

“There is a booming demand in India for whisky, where the market grew by 41% in volume and 28% in value during the first 6 months of 2016, according to the SWA,” continues Bhatia. “The opportunity for Glenfiddich is massive as Indian consumers begin to value the quality and cachet of Scotch whiskies compared to local brands, What’s particularly important to passengers is that they know the products they are purchasing at the airport are genuine, authentic brands – and this promotion linking to a high value vehicle such as the Nissan Terrano is a further indication of that quality and superiority,”

Hardeep Sethi, WGS Business Development Manager for ISC added: “I’d like to thank Nissan for taking part in this activation and giving passengers the opportunity to win this top of the range vehicle, which happens to be the most expensive car to ever be offered in a mega-promotion at Hyderabad duty free. ”

Highlighting the uniqueness of the Mega Promotion, Saurabh Kumar, CEO-Hyderabad Duty Free said:  “This is one of the biggest prizes on offer in the context of Indian Duty Free.  At Hyderabad Duty Free, it has always been our endeavor to bring the best value proposition for our customers.  We have undertaken various initiatives and launched new offerings to make shopping experience more rewarding for our customers.  This time, we have partnered with William Grant & Sons for the Mega Promotion, and I am already delighted to see the overwhelming response from our customers.”

Mars International Travel Retail announces refreshed category vision to grow total confectionery category

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference saw Mars International Travel Retail (MITR) introduce a refreshed category vision to retailers that is based on the total confectionery category – chocolate, confections and gum – which aims to unlock an additional $1bn in sales by 2020.

MITR’s key message is that it is THE partner to grow the total confectionery category given its unique cross segment position with the world’s biggest brands in chocolate, confections & gum. Currently outperforming other suppliers in the category and voted Number 1 in International travel retail by the Advantage Report, MITR believes confectionery plays a key role in travel retail – and it is the partner of choice to maximize its potential. 

Says MITR Category Director Matt Boulter: “We are extremely positive about the future of the Confectionery Category. As passenger numbers continue to increase and with only 9% of travelers buying Confectionery today, there is clearly massive headroom for this fun and impulsive Category in Travel Retail.”

MITR will continue to focus to drive sales through the conversion of lighter buyers, with a refreshed Power of a Smile category vision to capture the collective wisdom and power of both its chocolate, confections & gum brands. “As MITR experienced strong growth in 2015, this is about doing more of what is already working and bringing it to the total confectionery category,” continues Boulter. “We know how travellers shop total confectionery; we know why they don’t buy; and we know how to remove those barriers to conversion to drive the Category.”

MITR has identified three key ways to unlock growth through Range, Display and Activation. 

First and foremost is RANGE: offering the right, yet tight, assortment to deliver across all key traveller need states. According to MITR’s research, “the product offer in travel retail is not yet delivering against consumer needs” with the key insight that 45% of consumers wanting to purchase for themselves in an environment where only 10% of the portfolio answers that need. MITR believes that whilst important, gifting is over represented in travel retail with 40% of the portfolio in this sector but only required by 20% of travellers. Pack formats for ‘sharing’ are the key driver of the category currently represented by 50% of the portfolio offered and demanded by 35% of travellers.

Continues Boulter, “Brands must provide products that deliver across consumer need-states and price levels. Yet today, there is too much choice and complexity in the Category.” MITR believes range needs to be significantly rationalized instore; as 90% of total confectionery sales value comes from just 18% of all SKUs.

The second key is DISPLAY. “70% of confectionery purchases are unplanned and the category has the highest level of impulsivity,” continues Boulter. MITR advocates clear, engaging displays of blockbuster brands and skus to drive sales, supported by strong tailored offerings in multiple locations throughout the shopper journey. Vital to this effort is unlocking the potential of the check out that, says the company, “offers a unique opportunity to increase basket size and grow confectionery conversion”.

“The checkout is the end of the shopper journey and offers amazing opportunities for incremental confectionery sales. This is as the shopper mindset changes at the checkout to focus on themselves. It’s a currently little addressed need-state and MITR has both the knowledge and brand equity to maximize the impulse nature of this sales area,” adds Boulter.

Final key is ACTIVATION. As 75% of travellers don’t visit the confectionery area in the main duty free store, the category has a huge opportunity to better disrupt travellers around the store and wider airport environment, confronting them at multiple locations covering every touch point of the journey from online/digital to the gate to the plane. Disruptive activations tailored by location which bring the magic of the category to life and offer blockbuster brands are the principles to operate by, says MITR.

“Confectionery is a key part of the travel retail business, representing around 6% of the overall value and continuing to show year on year growth. We see that the cross-segment leaders are driving market growth and Mars International Travel Retail is at the forefront of that success. We have THE actionable plan to transform the shop floor through Range, Display and Activation and are looking forward to building strong partnerships with key retailers in 2017 to unlock total confectionery category growth,” concludes Boulter.

INVU proves a best seller with Condor Ferries

 This summer has seen INVU sunglasses join the Condor Ferries onboard offer with immediate sales success.

“We listed INVU from July 1 and sales have been far better than expected from day one, “ says Nicola Emblin, “Passengers are clearly impressed by the quality, styling and price points, both in the men’s and women’s ranges.”

Best seller onboard currently is the INVU Classic Men’s frame B1604c, which is proving a hit with men of all ages from early 20s upwards. “Both we and Condor are delighted with initial results and are looking forward to a long term collaboration,” says Swiss Eyewear Group Director of Travel Retail Rebecca Harwood Lincoln. “INVU is now really beginning to show retailers just what the sales potential is in travel retail – it’s going to be a great year for the brand!”

For further information about INVU sunglasses, please contact martyn@newthing.uk.com 

All INVU sunglasses are engineered in Switzerland, equipped with the ultra polarized lens technology from Swiss Eyewear Group and retail at a consumer friendly price of Euro 50 – Euro 70. 

Introducing Kurate International - A whole new step for JCI Jewellery

JCI Jewellery, the jewellery and watch specialist used TFWA World Exhibition to announce that it is going through a complete rebrand of the company. Moving away from its established name and brand image, JCI Jewellery will now be known as Kurate International Ltd. 

Sitting under the Kurate International umbrella will be its three main travel retail brands, Aeon, YOU and Moon. The company is going from strength to strength, with the travel retail sector being one of the fastest growing and most important parts of its business. With a growing team, and a new direction, Kurate International is in a strong position going forward. 

Claire O’Donnell, Key Account Manager, KURATE, comments, “A lot has changed in our company over the past 18 months, we have entered new countries and met new customers from all over the world, exhibiting in Hong Kong, Singapore and Cannes. This company rebrand has been prompted by this development and growth across our domestic, international and travel retail divisions.” 

“The JCI name, based on its founder John Campbell, held little relevance outside the UK jewellery market, and with our recent growth we felt it was time to rebrand. Change can be difficult yet exciting, and we are fully embracing this new image, knowing it fits us much better for now, and the future. The name Kurate suits what we do as a company; developing new products and the best collections that we can. It’s a description of our past and our future – a whole new step,” adds O’Donnell. 

About JCI Jewellery 

JCI Jewellery, established in 1985, is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and wholesalers of 9ct gold and sterling silver jewellery, offering more than 2500 products to over 2000 customers in the UK and Ireland. 

Aurora World reports excellent week in Cannes

Aurora World global travel retail sales manager Garry Stoner - an industry veteran of 26 years - has reported one of the busiest, most productive weeks at TFWA World Exhibition that he can remember. “We’ve had an absolutely fantastic week in Cannes,” he says. “Total visitors may have been down this year but in terms of quality of meetings and walk-by interest in Aurora, this has been an incredibly positive and successful exhibition.”

Stoner reports strong interest and potential new business with cruiseship and ferry lines, particularly from Northern Europe; while regionally the Middle East and Subcontinent was dominant. “For sure opening our new distribution centre in Jebel Ali, Dubai has really pushed Aurora to a new level for operators in that region,” says Stoner. “It’s now up and running and it gives us a far better ability to trade, not just in the Middle East but also Asia Pacific region.”

Product wise, Aurora’s new Dinosaur and Sea Life collections including mermaid dolls attracted great interest, along with the new “Destination Gnomes” including Irish, UK and Beefeater versions. It’s free-standing merchandise unit, which holds up to 150 units  on a footprint of just 0.6m was also well received with several operators keen to create satellite impulse sales opportunities, the display has been developed in conjunction with our TR customers, the principle objective was to maximize sales from the smallest footprint possible.

Continues Stoner:  “It’s really encouraging to see that more and more retailers are now treating the plush category seriously, understanding the potential incremental sales that can be achieved by offering a focused offering in the right location. Our merchandising unit shows that this not need be a large amount of floor space at all and is an ideal solution to space-restricted retail environments.”

This year, Aurora’s sales have grown by 42% through both organic growth with existing customers plus new doors including  ARI Muscat Duty Free, Dufry Sharjah, B&S Global, SMI Myanmar, Gebr Heinemann Kuala Lumpur Airport, Setur Turkey, and a pop up store with P&O Ferries UK. Core to the range is the YooHoo & Friends character collection, based on cartoon characters that travel the world protecting animals and their environments. With over 80m pieces sold worldwide since its introduction in 2007, YooHoo’s international exposure (including featuring in McDonald’s Happy Meals in 2014 and 2015 makes it perfect for travel retail. 

“The popularity of YooHoo worldwide gives us a huge opportunity to engage with travellers through promotional activity – particularly via ‘live’ appearances,” continues Stoner. “Improving shop penetration is key and YooHoo can help retailers achieve this. We’ve had some really positive conversations this week with operators who are realizing just how useful YooHoo can be, not just to generate plush sales but to improve retail sales of all categories by improving foot-fall.”

Frontier Awards win for Cabeau®

Cabeau, the leader of expertly crafted travel accessories, continues to accumulate accolades by winning the Frontier Awards Buyers’ Forum Gold Medal Award for the 2016 Product of the Year.

David Sternlight, CEO and Owner comments, "This is fantastic. This is a hotly contested category, and we are thrilled to have won against so many brand leaders in their respective categories. Our products are designed to ensure comfort and give the best travel experience, so we are excited to have been recognized for this." 

The Buyers’ Forum runs throughout the year and involves three senior travel retail buyers assessing five products that are new to the marketplace. The buyers are drawn from different sectors of the industry and the panel changes every quarter. Prior to the TFWA World Exhibition in October, the winning products from the previous 12 months are scrutinized by the year’s judging panels, and the prestigious Buyers’ Forum Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are presented at the Frontier Awards evening.

Accolade Wines proves to be a worthy winner

New World Wine specialists, Accolade Wines is delighted to announce that it has won a prestigious Frontier Award for ‘Technology Innovator of the Year.” Accolade entered with its #Hardy’sHero digital campaign that was partnered with Heinemann and Sydney Airport, and run by Mighty Media Group. 

Created exclusively for the travel retail market, the #HardysHero Sweepstakes aimed to complement a category stage in Heinemann Tax & Duty Free, active daily sampling, and the steady flow of travellers over the Golden Migration and Chinese New Year period. Deployed in English and Mandarin, the campaign celebrated the narrative of the Hardys brand story and created a dynamic customer experience platform aligned with the Aspire Higher ATL campaign and the act of travel. 

The campaign goal was to drive recognition of Hardys iconic premium wines, educate connected consumers about The Journey - Hardys travel retail exclusive Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and to increase online engagement with the brand through quality travel-related prizes and in-store offers.

Rupert Firbank, Commercial Director, Accolade Wines, comments, “We are absolutely taken aback with this win. We knew we had succeeded in bringing an innovative campaign to Sydney Airport, but we had no idea that it would be award-winning!  We were up against some big competition, so we didn’t have the highest of hopes when we sat down on the night – how wrong were we!”

Senior Customer Marketing Manager, Emilie Munther comments “This was a challenging yet exciting campaign to bring to life, targetted specifically at travellers going through Sydney Airport to engage them with the Hardys wine brand on multiple platforms and ultimately drive sales. It exceeded our expectations and we are delighted that the judges of the Frontier Awards agreed!”

The Frontier Awards is the most anticipated event in the travel retail/duty free calendar. Rewarding innovation and excellence since 1985, the Frontier Awards are open to all and rely on the judgement of experienced industry executives to sift through the ever-increasing number of entries to find those worthiest of a Frontier Award. The results are unveiled during the week of the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes during a glamorous gala dinner.

Travel Retail Consortium puts the Camaraderie into Cannes

The stunning MV Indulgence of Poole played host to the Travel Retail Consortium’s annual Monday evening cocktail in Cannes on October 3^rd.  Heralded as one of the most relaxed and enjoyable evenings during an incredibly full week, the TRC evening welcomed some 60 industry buyers from airlines, cruiseships/ferries and airport retailers to a casual evening of drinks, canapés and laughter.

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 its member companies, the Travel Retail Consortium’s Cannes evening is one of three annual networking events that put the emphasis on informal, friendly gatherings with the emphasis on social bonding rather than business.

Guests included Alpha LSG, Condor Ferries, DFASS, MSX, P&O Ferries and Tourvest.  Said Joe Harvey, ‎Head of New Business Development at Tourvest Inflight Retail Services: “We always look forward to TRC events – always great fun and a fantastic mix of industry people. I always meet somebody new as well as some very dear colleagues and friends.”

TRC member companies represented on the evening included Aeon, Accolade Wines, Aurora World, Coty Inc., Guinness, Heineken, Imperial Tobacco International, Invu (Swiss Eyewear Group) , Mars,  Morgan & Oates, Rémy Cointreau,  Sekonda, Taittinger Champagne & Twinings 

Added Rebecca Harwood Lincoln, Vice Chair of the Travel Retail Consortium: “We know how busy everyone is during ‘Cannes’ week and so were delighted to have such a wonderful turnout at our event, with many people staying most of the evening.”

Notes to editors: The Travel Retail Consortium’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 charity of his choice during his tenure.

For membership enquiries please contact info@travelretailconsortium.co.uk

TRC members are:  Aeon, Accolade Wines, Aurora World, Coty Inc., Guinness, Heineken, Imperial Tobacco International, Invu, Mars,  Morgan & Oates, Rémy Cointreau,  Sekonda, Taittinger Champagne & Twinings.

Joseph Liu joins WGS as Travel Retail Business Development Manager in Taiwan

William Grant & Sons has announced the appointment of Joseph Liu as Business Development Manager based in its Taipei Office. 

Joseph Liu

Reporting to Global Travel Retail Regional Director Asia/Pacific Scott Hamilton, he will be responsible for further developing the Taiwan & Greater China Travel Retail markets.

Joseph joins WGS with experience in the travel retail liquor industry following Sales and Marketing roles with Edrington Taipei, and more recently with Diageo as Travel Retail Manager. 

“We very much welcome Joseph to the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Team and wish him every success in his new role, building on the excellent relationships we established through the years with our valued customers.” says Scott.  

Adds Joseph: “I’m thrilled to be joining such a dynamic, innovative and forward thinking company and am very much looking forward to meeting industry colleagues old and new..”  

INVU SUNGLASSES ARE TOP SELLER WITH TOURVEST

Securing an inflight listing is one thing but the ultimate success story is the sales result.  For Swiss Eyewear Group, the results onboard South African Airways (SAA) and Kenya Airways (KQA) for its INVU B1612a sunglass model have proved that the brand really does meet passenger expectations. Listed on both airlines via Tourvest, INVU B1612a has been the number one selling sunglass for four months running with sales consistently above expectations.

INVU B1612A

As a result, SAA and KQA are both adding a second sku – B2628c that includes a free GWP bracelet – from October 2016, while both models are being listed onboard Ethiopian Airlines from September 1.

Comments Rebecca Harwood Lincoln, Swiss Eyewear Group director travel retail international markets:  “Tourvest continues to be a wonderful partner and we highly appreciate their open approach and communication. The success of INVU on South African Airways and Kenya Airways reflects the equally good results we are seeing on the domestic market in Africa, where the demand for great quality, impulse purchase sunglasses is equally high.”

Adds Tourvest’s Carole Clarke: “Sales of INVU B1612a have been superb and it makes sense, therefore, to offer an additional sku onboard – and extend the offer to additional airlines. Creating the right inflight offer is never a straightforward task but INVU has more than lived up to our expectations, delivering exactly what it claims with every model. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with SEG into 2017 and beyond.”

INVU B1612a is a classic rimless aviator style in matt gunmetal with green gradient lenses. B2628c is a stylish frame for women which comes with a travel retail exclusive sunglass bracelet, handcrafted in the same high quality acetate material that is used to  create INVU’s top quality range of sunglasses. 

Tis the Season: Italian Fashion House ETRO Outfits DISARONNO This Festive Season with Limited Edition Bottle Design

DISARONNO, the world’s favorite Italian liqueur, returns this holiday season with a unique look designed by renowned fashion house, ETRO. The new limited edition icon bottle will be highlighted at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition on the Illva Saronno stand (Green Village, M52). 

Since 1968, the Italian luxury label ETRO has made a footprint in the fashion world as one of Italy’s most celebrated houses. Beloved by fashion enthusiasts, the iconic ETRO paisley print, for which the fashion house is best known, transforms the DISARONNO bottle, giving it a dressed up look perfect for gifting in travel retail. 

 The DISARONNO wears ETRO design draws inspiration from the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2016 season, a continuation of the house’s signature paisley collection that it began producing in 1981. The striking bottle is draped in a stunning variation of the swirling design made up of vibrant blue, orange and gold hues. Over the years, ETRO has become synonymous with the paisley print, making the DISARONNO adorned bottle the perfect gift for fashion lovers this winter. 

For the second time, the designer collaboration will also be available in six adorable mini bottles in coordinated looks this season. These perfectly packaged 3-packs of minis are the ultimate stocking filler or collector’s item for the holiday season. 

After 3 years of success, DISARONNO’s latest interpretation of the ICON project will continue to support the charity, ‘Fashion 4 Development,’ sponsored by the United Nations. Following past partnerships with Italian fashion brands, Moschino, Versace and Roberto Cavalli, a portion of the proceeds from sales of the DISARONNO wears ETRO collection will be donated to the development of this unique project to develop the textile trade and fight poverty in Africa. 

The exclusive limited edition 50cl bottle is available from the beginning of October in major travel retailers globally, supported by activations and promotions including tasting bars.

“There is always a huge amount of hype surrounding each year’s new launch, and it’s something our partners, retailers, and consumers get very excited about,” says International Sales Director Domenico Toni “The Disaronno ICON bottles are perfectly suited for travel retail, with their strong shelf appeal , collectability factor and unique design all being key sales drivers. The previous three icon editions have all achieved better than expected results in travel retail and we anticipate another successful year for DISARONNO wears ETRO.”

To celebrate this collaboration, toast the season with a DISARONNO wears ETRO sour cocktail, highlighting the liqueur’s distinguishable flavor in a blend of fresh lemon and pineapple juice – full recipe below. 

DISARONNO wears ETRO Sour 

2 parts DISARONNO

1 part lemon juice

1 part pineapple juice 

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into highball glass with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.