Molton Brown and Sensai partner to provide luxury turndown service for hotel partners

Molton Brown is delighted to partner with Japanese beauty brand Sensai to deliver a new turndown collection for hotel guests which provides luxury skincare drawn from the sense and science of Japan.

Sensai, like Molton Brown, is a member of the Kao family and has been a pioneer in luxury skincare for 40 years. Both brands also share a deep passion for using exceptional ingredients and delivering services with a conscious care for the world around them.

At the heart of Sensai’s skincare collections is the secret of Koishimaru silk, once reserved for the royal family. The House of Sensai discovered that weavers of this silk had youthful and vibrant skin on their hands due to the material’s ability to promote the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin,* which is essential to nurturing it and helping it to recover.

Today, Sensai combines this key ingredient with the latest technology to create a ground-breaking anti-ageing experience, coupled with an incomparable skincare philosophy that nurtures the skin leaving it smooth and silky. The brand has already made its mark on the UK domestic market with an exclusive release at London’s premium department store, Harrods.

Two Sensai collections will be released for hotel partners as part of the new turndown service offer. The Extra Intensive Collection delivers immediate and powerful results to revitalise tired or dull-looking skin by helping it to recover elasticity and moisture. The Silky Bronze Collection is designed to defend against and tackle the results of UV rays to leave the user with a beautiful, bronze glow.

Steve Clark, Director of Retail, Molton Brown, says: “We are delighted to be bringing Sensai and its decades of experience in providing luxury and cutting-edge skincare to the hotel sector. Sensai’s exclusive release with Harrods has already established this brand as a major player in the premium skincare market and we are very pleased to be expanding the offer for hotel partners.”

“Not only will these new collections deliver outstanding skin treatments for guests, but they will also help hotel partners to deliver a premium experience with natural ingredients and a care for the planet at its very heart. Today, those ideals are even more important to the essence of luxury than they have ever been.”

The Collections

Extra Intensive Collection

• Extra Intensive Essence: This powerful, refreshing essence quickly energises skin for a healthier look and fortifies complexion with a new source of energy.

• Extra Intensive Cream: A rich formula that luxuriously melts into the skin, specifically designed to address the visible signs of skin ageing.

• Extra Intensive Eye Cream: An extremely soothing cream that nourishes tired-looking eye areas so they become visibly radiant and firmer over time.

• Extra Intensive Mask: This mask, enriched with natural botanical oil extract from Macadamia nuts, restores lost elasticity to deliver a silky complexion.

Silky Bronze Collection

• Cellular Protective Cream for Face SPF50+: This water and oil-resistant* cream provides UVA and UVB protection and has a luxuriously smooth and silky texture.

• Cellular Protective Cream for Body SPF30: Easily absorbed into the skin, this all-over lotion protects against ageing signs and oxidation, with an alluring silky bronze finish.

• After Sun Glowing Cream: A luminous, shimmering treatment that instantly soothes and hydrates UV-stressed skin while embellishing the tan.

Cellular Performance Advanced Day Cream 

• This smooth, comforting anti-ageing moisturiser with SPF30 and potent plant-based ingredients. It is designed for everyday use and is infused with a fruity-floral fragrance.

* in vitro tested

Nestlé announces KITKAT Vegan Travellers Edition

Today – World Earth Day – sees Nestlé announce the launch of its first plant-based chocolate, KITKAT Vegan into Global Travel Retail in Q4 with an exclusive Travellers Edition.

The move is in reponse to a growing demand for plant-based chocolate as the number of vegans increases year on year, particularly amongst the millennial and genZ generations. According to Mintel, more then 50% of chocolate eaters in Spain, France and Poland are interested in Vegan Chocolate with their counterparts in Italy and Germany just under that figure.

“It’s clear that consumers are increasingly looking for balance in their lifestyles,” says Nestlé ITR general manager Stewart Dryburgh. “Nestlé research indicates that nearly 2/3rds of millennials are interested in buying organic products with 4/10 considering that plant-based chocolate is better for them than dairy.”

KITKAT Vegan will offer the same crispy and creamy chocolate sensation as the original iconic version. Made from delicious vegan plant-based chocolate, with 100% sustainable cocoa sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance. KITKAT Vegan will be available to travel retail in an exclusive box of three. 

The current KITKAT portfolio offers a broad range of product choices which appeal to travellers looking for Deeper Connections (gifting, sharing, seasonal celebrations, uplifting breaks) and Elevated Experiences (travel souvenirs, indulgence, self-treat). The KITKAT Vegan option now widens the choice by additionally satisfying those consumers looking to ake a lifestyle choice within its Better For You Driver.

Dryburgh continues: “I am delighted that once again Nestlé is pioneering in travel retail by launching a vegan version of our #1 chocolate brand, KITKAT. This is another significant step in our journey towards a regenerative, sustainable and carbon-neutral future. I am very proud to be part of a company that takes such a pro-active and responsible approach to ensuring a secure future for our planet and generations to come.’

The new product is a natural step for Nestlé towards achieving its goal of halving CO2 emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050. The company has also stated that KITKAT aims to transition to 100% renewable energy at all factories by the end of 2025 and, as part of this journey, Nestlé is measuring the carbon footprint of its new KITKAT Vegan product.

Porsche Design celebrates its 50th anniversary with an exclusive Capsule Collection

50 years of Engineered Passion: Since 1972 Porsche Design

has been writing design history – with products that perfectly combine technology, passion and performance. For the 50th anniversary in 2022 Porsche Design launches a limited 50Y Porsche Design Capsule Collection as a tribute to the distinctive DNA of the brand, which translates the aesthetic heritage into the here and now using state-of-the-art materials. With the new edition of exceptional design classics new styles are created with an iconic character which recognise the past, celebrate the present and get us in the mood for the future.

IT‘S ABOUT TIME.

The P‘8478 and the P‘8928 – timeless icons with a modern twist

P'8478

In 1978 Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche created the design icon P‘8478, which to this day has become a synonym for a high level of style and elegant design combined with sophisticated functionality. As the world's first pair of sunglasses with an innovative interchangeable lens mechanism, the "Exclusive Spectacles", as they are affectionately known, make a distinctive fashion statement.

As a tribute to and in the style of the P‘8478, in 2020 the P‘8928 was created in the Squared Aviator Look, which also has the legendary interchangeable lens mechanism, but has a more edgy and striking design. The design of the characteristic clasp on the nose bridge was adapted to the lens shape of the model and is in line with today's trends.

P'8928

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design the two iconic sunglasses from the exclusive lifestyle brand appear in a special edition with a matt black frame, platinum-coloured highlights made of ultralight titanium as well as grey polarisation lenses with olive-coloured interchangeable lenses. The collection is limited to 1972 pieces in each style. For the limited edition the sunglasses are designed for the first time with extremely flat spectacle lenses, which once again highlight the modern oversized look.

For all fans of the brand the two limited frames come in an exclusive box with matching strap and are available now in selected retail outlets as well as online at

www.porsche-design.com at a RRP of € 590.

CircleSquare makes key appointments in APAC to drive omnichannel integration

CircleSquare has made a key leadership appointment to drive its expansion in the APAC region.

Cherifa Ben Slamia, currently General Manager of the agency’s Singapore office, has been appointed Managing Director APAC, effective April 1st 2022. Her new role includes the leadership of CircleSquare’s offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Mainland China. She replaces Stéphane Zermatten, who will remain involved with the agency as a Non-Executive Director while pursuing other opportunities.

Cherifa

 

Says Cherifa: “I’m very excited to take the lead of CircleSquare’s business in Asia, building on our retail design and integrated customer experience expertise to offer a truly end-to-end service at a time when travel retail is reinventing itself."

 

Stephane

Adds Stephane: “I cannot think of a better person than Cherifa to lead our APAC offices. Not only will she bring a whole new dynamism to the agency and our clients, but she is ideally placed to drive the integration of our offline and digital expertise."

  

Additionally, CircleSquare has made a series of key senior management appointments:

 

Matt Penrose has been promoted to Creative Director APAC. He will be the driving force behind the 20-people strong creative teams based in Hong Kong and Singapore, ensuring a seamless creative strategy and execution across all touchpoints of the agency’s innovative projects.

 

Matt

Kelvin Mok has been appointed to Head of Production APAC. His role will encompass the implementation of cost efficiency and sustainability in the agency’s supply chain ahead of an imminent travel retail recovery. 

Kelvin

 

Judien Wang has been promoted to Head of Digital APAC. He will be overseeing the extension of the agency’s digital capabilities across the region, building on the past two years' China Travel Retail experience of delivering pre-trip to post-trip customer engagement and first-party data collection. 

Judien

Nestlé partners with Dubai Duty Free to launch KITKAT Arabic Coffee flavour in GTR

 Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) has launched to airport retail the new KITKAT Arabic Coffee flavour exclusively to Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport. The new product from its leading chocolate brand KITKAT comes in the two-finger format in packs of 18 x 19.5g bars.

 

Promotions for the product with Dubai Duty Free will run from April to June, encompassing the Ramadan (1 April-1 May) and Eid (2-3 May) dates, which are the key periods in the Middle East diary. 

 

The campaign features specially-created point of sale materials to house the KITKAT Arabic Coffee packs, and extensive social media exposure from Dubai Duty Free on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The special seasonal SKU has been produced by Nestlé Middle East with an Arabic twist to meet the local consumer demand for a flavour inspired by “Gahwa”, as Arabic coffee is socially referred to in the region.

 

The famous KITKAT crispy wafer fingers come in a blend of smooth milk chocolate, roasted blond Arabica coffee beans, and the rich aroma of cardamom, in a combination evoking comforting traditional senses that merge nostalgia with modernity.

Nestlé General Manager Stewart Dryburgh said: “We understand the cultural value of coffee time in the Middle East region, and this KITKAT special edition has been created to tie in with this. We are delighted to collaborate exclusively with our long-time partner Dubai Duty Free to offer this great-tasting product and help to deliver on the important Sense of Place from our category driving VERSE model.”

Irish Whiskey Molly Malone targets new international business with Small Batch 70cl launch product

 The fast-developing Irish whiskey brand Molly Malone from The Molly Malone Whiskey Company is set to expand its international market reach with its launch product, Molly Malone Small Batch 70cl. 

Travel retail is among the key channels being targeted to sell and promote 70cl Molly Malone Small Batch. Its first listing has been achieved with Irish travel retailer Aer Rianta International at Dublin Airport. The Molly Malone Whiskey Company has appointed Garry Maxwell of GMAX Travel Retail to handle the Molly Malone brand’s expansion in the duty free channel.

 

The whiskey – primarily targeted to an Irish American audience – has been distilled using traditional Irish techniques. Small Batch is not from a single distillery but drawn from a number of carefully-selected Irish distilleries using the finest Irish malts and grains. They have been crafted in small batches to create a premium Irish whiskey.

 

The Molly Malone Whiskey Company was founded by Richard Lombard-Chibnall, who previously spent 30 years working for the family company, Lombard Scotch Whisky, latterly as Global Brand Director. Richard’s family have traded in wine and spirits since the late 17th century and 60 years ago became one of the founding independents of the whisky industry.

 

The name of the brand was made famous in modern times by the popular song “Molly Malone” (also known as “Cockles and Mussels”), which is set in Dublin, Ireland and based on a character of the same name from the seventeenth century. The song – which has become a uniting celebration of the Irish – is most strongly associated with supporters of the Irish national rugby team, who sing it with emotion at international matches.

 

During the Dublin Millennium celebrations in 1988 Molly Malone was given her own National Day (13 June) and back in 2011 a leading internet search engine reported that the name was achieving more than one million hits per year.

 

Molly Malone Small Batch 70cl is light on the palate and deliciously sweet. To enhance the flavour of the whiskey without overpowering the light character of the malt, second fill bourbon casks are used from Quercus Alba, which is the highest grade American white oak (bourbon having already absorbed the coconut and vanilla tannins of the new wood). 

 

On 1 April, the product was boosted by the award of a Silver Medal by the Spirits Business in its 2022 Spring Tasting Competition.

 

Richard Lombard-Chibnall said: “Molly Malone is in the DNA of the Irish and we have created an initial product which has been very well-received and that we are very proud of. We have major plans to grow the brand internationally and make Molly Malone Irish Whiskey become known as the go to drink for ‘a celebration of Ireland’.”

Richard Lombard-Chibnall

  

Of Garry Maxwell’s appointment, Richard added: “Garry has worked in travel retail for over 40 years in all forms of the business and is excited to be working with such an iconic brand name as Molly Malone. Equally, we are delighted to secure his experience and services for taking Molly Malone into more airports and other travel retail locations across the world.”

Molton Brown launches high-profile campaign to excite shoppers returning to UK travel retail this spring

Molton Brown is welcoming shoppers back this Spring with a high-profile campaign in World Duty Free stores at key UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Timed to coincide with the key gifting opportunity presented as travellers visit the airports for the Easter break and the school holidays, the British fragrance brand has established Beauty Stations and Must Have Tables for shoppers at key locations in partnership with the UK’s leading travel retailer, World Duty Free.

The campaign is running at the four busiest airports in the UK, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead and Manchester, as well as at other major airports across England and Scotland. As part of Molton Brown’s ongoing plan to drive engagement with returning customers by highlighting popular and iconic collections, these eye-catching displays are located in areas of high footfall and are tailored to showcase the new expanded Delicious Rhubarb & Rose collection, alongside other leading fragrance sets to create a wide appeal for customers.

While the Beauty Stations present an opportunity for shoppers to explore and discover the new Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum at their leisure, the Must Have Tables are crafted to appeal to those shoppers who have engaged with the brand online by highlighting new and key products, as well as offering high accessibility to drive purchase decisions.

Rosie Cook, Molton Brown Associate Director Global Travel Retail says: “It is wonderful to see shoppers returning to UK airports and we are delighted to be helping them to find something special as they return to travel and travel retail  – or just indulge in an opportunity to treat themselves or a loved one.

“We know that shopper behaviour has evolved in the past two years. Customers want to be able to interact with brands in a variety of ways and these new displays gives them the same iconic Molton Brown experience but tailored to meet their specific needs.”

Delphine Poultney, Dufry’s Head of Beauty in the UK comments: “We are very pleased to be able to work with our long term partner Molton Brown to offer such product highlights to our customers. The fragrance is beautifully crafted with English ingredients and as passenger footfall returns, it is more important than ever that we have the best offers to meet the tastes and needs of our customers. After the challenges of the past two years, we are working relentlessly to offer the best to passengers as they come back to our airports.”

Created by Senior Perfumer Vanessa Prudent, the new Delicious Rhubarb & Rose fragrances are crafted in England and celebrate the brand’s home and heritage by using two quintessentially British ingredients. The fragrance is inspired by both gastronomy and nature, with the crisp rhubarb and elegant rose creating a floral and fruity scent that you can almost taste.

Beauty Station locations:

London Gatwick South Terminal

London Gatwick North Terminal

Stansted International Airport

Edinburgh International Airport

Glasgow International Airport

Birmingham International Airport Terminal 1

Liverpool Airport

Manchester Airport Terminal 1

Manchester Airport Terminal 3

 

Must Have Tables locations:

Stansted International Airport

London Heathrow Terminal 2

London Heathrow Terminal 5

The Beauty Stations and Must Have Tables are currently in operation.

Mars Wrigley ITR underscores importance of core products for Americas market recovery

Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail (MITR) is pleased to be returning to the IAADFS Summit of Americas showcase this 10-13 April in West Palm Beach, Florida. MITR is again partnering with its long term distribution partner, B&S at the conference. 

Onno Couwenberg, Channel Development, Head Duty Free Distribution says: “With our B&S partnership, we drive more intentionality within the border store, airlines and sea travel retail channels. We own the brands, B&S our distributor, takes care of the route to market and maintains the customer contact on our behalf. 

“Through working closely with B&S, we collaborate to create a ‘win win’ model for the customer and ourselves across three key areas: customer focus (more frequent visits and attention); regional focus (B&S has set up regional teams to service the continents); flexibility (deliveries, any quantity anytime, anywhere),” says Couwenberg.

This year’s Summit will see MITR focus on restoring distribution of its core product portfolio in the border store, airlines and sea (cruise and ferry) channels for the Americas. “We see large potential for driving the core ranges. For M&Ms and Twix the focus is on NPDs - especially M&Ms Cookies tablets and Twix Salted Caramel multi-packs,” says Couwenberg. 

He adds this year will see MITR aiming to disrupt the consumer journey within its key travel retail channels, returning to promotions and additional POS for its core brands to drive consumer awareness of the NPDs. 

MITR is upbeat about the confectionery category’s recovery in travel retail. “We see a recovery after Covid in the travel retail industry where expectations are that at the end of 2023/beginning 2024 we are back at pre-Covid PAX levels. We look forward to discussing this in person with our customers at the IAADFS show,” says Couwenberg.

MITR will be showing at stand number B2. 

Lovely Distribution Company signs up with 3Sixty Duty Free and wins exclusive listing for Lovely Lights on Virgin Atlantic

The Lovely Distribution Company has secured a first listing with Virgin Atlantic through a new partnership with leading global inflight concessionaire 3Sixty Duty Free. The listing, effective April 6 2022, is for the new Sarah Jessica Parker fragrance LOVELY LIGHTS and is exclusive to the airline for global travel retail. The listing coincides with the domestic launch of the new fragrance through leading retailers internationally.

Available as a 50ml EDP for inflight and online purchase, LOVELY LIGHTS by Sarah Jessica Parker is inspired by the energy of NYC and the spirit of Broadway. 

The fragrance has been developed in collaboration with perfumer Laurent LeGuernac, sparkling with exotic florals, lush woods and sensual musks. The bottle has creamy pink tones, bright lights to enhance the logo, a loosened bow tie collar and is finished with a gold cap.

Featuring on the front cover of the Spring/Summer 2022 Retail Therapy shopping guide, LOVELY LIGHTS by Sarah Jessica Parker will retail onboard at £28 (domestic price £35).

Says Lovely Distribution Company COO Jacqueline Kissenpfennig: “We’re delighted to be working with 3Sixty Duty Free and have confirmed a number of listings for the LDC portfolio for the coming season. This listing with Virgin Atlantic for LOVELY LIGHTS is a real coup for us and to have secured the Retail Therapy front cover is the icing on the cake. The ‘Lovely’ collection of fragrances by Sarah Jessica Parker has been highly praised by perfumists, fragrance journalists and bloggers internationally, so we are confident that this new scent will be equally successful.”

Adds 3Sixty Duty Free general manager Anthony Fletorides: “With the ‘Sex & The City’ reboot at the end of 2021, the timing for the launch of LOVELY LIGHTS is perfect and Virgin Atlantic, with its strong UK-US routing and passenger profile, is unquestionably the right vehicle for our travel retail launch. Having the exclusive rights to the fragrance in travel retail gives Virgin the important point of difference so essential for airlines in the current climate.”

The Lovely Distribution Company Ltd is currently global licensee for Sarah Jessica Parker Beauty (SJP) including global manufacturing, marketing and distribution rights.

Lovely Lights by Sarah Jessica Parker. Top Notes: Mandarin, Honeysuckle, Neroli Mid: Gardenia, Jasmin, Cashmeran Dry: Musk, Sandalwood, Modern Amber 

About 3Sixty

3Sixty is the world’s leading inflight duty free retailer, with a growing presence in airport duty free and duty paid retail in the Americas. 3Sixty specializes in helping consumers and businesses access the enticing world of travel retail. Our partnerships with suppliers of the world’s premium brands, our global reach, innovative marketing, state of the art technology, customized training and motivation, competitive financial support, logistics and inventory-management, allow 3Sixty to offer seamless retail transactions to thousands of airline customers each day – on the ground and in the air. For more information visit 3Sixtydutyfree.com.