Nestlé announces new travel retail appointments

Nestlé ITR has announced two new appointments within its travel retail leadership team.

After four very successful years, Marketing Manager Tamara Spada is moving into the NITR sales function, where she will be responsible for running the key Dufry account. Spada will be replaced by Aura Sanchez, currently KitKat Global Brand Manager at Nestlé’s confectionery Strategic Business Unit.

“Tamara has contributed fully to the development of our business strategy, and skilfully led her team in navigating our industry’s roller-coaster ride of the past four years,” noted Nestlé ITR General Manager Stewart Dryburgh. “I’m very happy that Tamara will be staying within the NITR family, and thank her for all her achievements to date. I have no doubt that she will continue to contribute added value to our marketing efforts, via the insight she will bring from the other side of the fence.”

Dryburgh continued: “I’m also delighted to be welcoming Aura to the wonderful world of travel retail. She brings a wide range of experience to her new role, which includes a period as Marketing Manager at PepsiCo. Aura began her Nestlé career back in 2006, rejoining the group in 2017. I’m confident that her extensive e-business/digital background, in-depth category knowledge and diverse skillset will be a huge asset to the NITR team.”

Nestlé brews new business opportunities with coffee category

Momentum is building behind Nestlé’s coffee portfolio travel retail roll-out, in line with the company’s ambition to build Food into the #1 most purchased category in the channel. As previously announced, this ambitious strategy will be delivered through the VERSE model, which harnesses Value, Engagement, Regeneration, Sense of Place and Execution.

Dubai, Madrid, Barcelona, Panama, Dubai, Doha, and Singapore are among the key airport locations now selling coffee products to travellers – with further roll-outs in the pipeline. All of Nestlé’s major airport coffee launches to date have been supported by a variety of high-profile traditional and digital media initiatives, to maximise awareness and visibility.

“We know that there is a huge amount of untapped potential for coffee in the travel retail channel,” noted ITR general manager Stewart Dryburgh. “The findings of the m1nd-set research study we commissioned last year revealed that 84% of travellers said they were likely to buy coffee in travel retail, for consumption during their trip, or for family/self-gifting purposes. Importantly, 69% of travellers questioned said they preferred global brands to local brands – a hugely encouraging result for Nescafe, the world’s leading coffee brand.”

To support the launch of the Nescafé Gold Roastery Collection in Dubai Duty Free, Nestlé has created a combined out-of-home (OOH) and digital media campaign, which is running throughout November and December. The OOH elements cover the full boutique network at Dubai International Airport, while the digital campaign aims to bolster pre-trip awareness, alongside in-trip conversions. Nestle’s Nescafé Gold Roastery Collection is initially available in Terminals 1 and 3 and is also listed on www.dubaidutyfree.com.

In addition, digital media campaigns have been created to support pre-trip awareness and in-trip conversions for Qatar Duty Free shoppers. The Dubai OOH campaign is also likely to reach FIFA World Cup fans on shuttle flights from Dubai to Doha, as it covers JCDecaux’s Boutique Digital Network across Terminals 1 and 3. At Singapore Changi, the focus has been on Nestlé Roastery gondolas, installed in T2 Central and T4 Central.

“The latest data from Generation confirms that food is leading the post-COVID recovery in travel retail,” Dryburgh concluded. “Sales for this category grew by an impressive +252.5% in first-half 2022 versus the same period in 2021. This bodes well for Nestlé’s food ambitions in general, and for the untapped coffee segment in particular.”

GLENFIDDICH’S PERPETUAL COLLECTION IMMERSIVE POP-UP MAKES US DEBUT IN MIAMI

Glenfiddich’s ground-breaking Perpetual Collection immersive pop-up concept has made its US debut at Miami International Airport – a key location and market for the brand. The innovative in-person experience – created to showcase Glenfiddich’s new travel retail exclusive Perpetual Collection – is situated in Miami North Terminal, Concourse D, in the large rotunda space next to Gates D37/38. The event is running at the airport from 8th December to 5th January. 

This immersive pop-up is being complemented by in-store activations, in partnership with Duty Free Americas (DFA), to highlight the launch of Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection in the retailer’s 12 airport stores. In addition, a digital campaign across all North, Central, and South terminal screens aims to maximise awareness and visibility at all points of the passenger journey.

“We are excited to launch the new Glenfiddich travel retail exclusive collection in our stores at MIA,” noted DFA VP Spirits & Wine Jonathan Bonchick. “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with global brand partners such as William Grant & Sons to tailor our travel retail offer to our customers’ evolving tastes and preferences.”

Featuring four single malt whiskies, each matured within vats that have never been emptied, adding continuous layers to flavours, The Perpetual Collection began its global travel retail roll-out in August 2022. The line-up comprises:

● Vat 01 (ABV 40%) – Elegant and smooth, this expression uniquely layers sweet and spicy notes with hints of creamy vanilla and subtle oak, for a soft and mellow taste with added depth due to its maturation in bourbon & red wine casks. 

Vat 02 (ABV 43%) – Mellow yet complex, with hints of rich fruit and subtle spice. Matured in Spanish sherry casks, this rich single malt delivers a deliciously smooth taste. 

● Vat 03 (ABV 50.2% – non-chill filtered) - Elevated over 15 years of maturation in American,  Virgin American oak, and European Sherry casks, this full-bodied whisky harmoniously combines warm notes of spice with hints of nutty marzipan and dark sherry oak. A satisfyingly rich and sweet Glenfiddich.

● VAT 04 (ABV 47.8% – non-chill filtered) - Warming and refined. Patiently aged in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks for 18 years, VAT 4 delivers a deep, rich aroma of robust oak, ripe orchard fruit and baked apple. A luxuriously fruity and exceptionally rewarding Glenfiddich. 

Attracting 3,500 visitors, the first Perpetual Collection immersive pop-up took place in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 Departures, in association with Lotte Duty Free, from 27th September to 31st October. This was followed by a second pop-up installation at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, from 1-31st October.

The Miami pop-up offers travellers an exclusive immersive discovery experience during the busy Holiday period. Each guest that enters the space has their movements captured by motion-sensors and projected in waves of colour onto a digital screen, thereby creating a unique piece of evolving generative art that references the pioneering Solera Vat process by which the whisky is made.

Guided by a Brand Ambassador, pop-up visitors are then invited to sample the four distinctive Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection expressions. A personalised gifting service allows travellers to customise their chosen bottle with a written or recorded message that is added via QR code – the perfect finishing touch for those seeking an extra-special Christmas gift.

“We have been thrilled by the reception to our Perpetual Collection pop-up at Miami International,” noted Lindsay Hitzeroth, Head of Customer Marketing Global Travel Retail at William Grant & Sons. “Immersive, experiential launches like this appeal to both existing customers and new drinkers, and illustrate our strategy of investing in activations that offer premium, exclusive products in an attractive and engaging way.”

She added: “The Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection is a range of whiskies in perpetual motion, that never sits still – just like our commitment to creating unique shopping experiences for travellers in collaboration with our valued retail partners. The next locations for this pioneering pop-up concept will be Hainan and Dubai, both of which are scheduled to go live during Q1 of 2023.”

Rodenstock showcases Bric’s partnership with new high-profile Frankfurt Airport opening

Rodenstock has unveiled a new dedicated retail space in the Bric’s store at Frankfurt Airport as the two companies expand their partnership

Rodenstock and Bric’s have teamed up to showcase the power of partnership as the premium eyewear brand opens a new dedicated retail space in the luxury Italian brand’s store at Frankfurt Airport.

The two companies, who share a focus on classic and stylish design, crafted from premium materials, unveiled their partnership at last month’s TFWA World Exhibition with a shared stand space in the Palais in Cannes.

That same partnership is at the root of the new outlet at Frankfurt Airport, which sees Rodenstock taking a dedicated backwall space to increase the offer and appeal for shoppers and drive cross-category purchasing in the market.

The Rodenstock collections are showcased on a stylish, purpose-built display on the interior wall of the store. The bright lighting and wood details catch the eye of consumers drawing them deeper into the shop, creating additional engagement opportunities for both brands.

Rodenstock’s iconic designs, and popular new releases such as the Elegance Classic and Retro Classic concepts, are presented in a manner which compliments the wider Bric’s offer, creating a seamless shopping experience for customers and demonstrating the collaborative nature of the brands’ partnership. Every Rodenstock design features the premium quality lenses which are a signature of the brand, and ensure the safety and health of wearer’s eyes, alongside their classic styling and premium materials.

Lucas Gestin, Director Global Travel Retail, Rodenstock said: “Both Bric’s and Rodenstock share a dedication to creating truly beautiful items which are crafted to look good and last, using the very best of materials. This makes our partnership an obvious one to bring to life for travel retail shoppers.

“At a time when the travelling shopper is looking for excitement and differentiation, collaborations such as this set our brands and our market apart in the wider retail space. We are delighted to be working with a brand such as Bric’s which exudes both the highest quality and a forward-thinking approach to creating excitement and newness in travel retail.” 

Roberto Briccola, President of Bric’s, added: “It’s a pleasure for us to partner with Rodenstock and to introduce the premium eyewear brand inside our Store at Frankfurt Airport. This is a perfect example of synergic collaboration: the increased and high-quality selection of products will certainly be appreciated by travel retail shoppers.

“The excellence of Bric’s and Rodenstock products can be discovered through use, thus discovering not only their quality and durability, but also their extreme functionality. We strongly believe that functionality is an important added value for improving the consumer's quality of life and the user experience of excellent products such as those that both brands offer on the market.”

The Bric’s store is located in Departure Area B of Terminal 2 at Frankfurt Airport.

Imperial Brands underlines commitment to Middle East region at Meadfa and highlights sustainable agenda with prize draw

Imperial Brands attended this year’s MEADFA Conference in Bahrain as a Diamond Sponsor, taking the opportunity to showcase its sustainably produced booth whilst highlighting the importance of the Middle East region to its Davidoff brand. 

During the event, delegates had the chance to spin a wheel to win one of a number of sustainable prizes (insulated cup, wireless charger, earphones or notebook and pen) whilst entering a prize draw for a holiday to Athens. Announced at the end of the conference, the lucky holiday winner was Nestlé ITR Key Account Manager Hanno Hellwig. 

The sustainable booth underlines the company’s commitment to a better climate and is just one part of Imperial’s refined global environment, social and governance (ESG) strategy launched earlier this year. 

Said Tobias Baude, Imperial Brand Global Duty Free & Export Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs: “The Middle East has always been a vital market for the tobacco category and a core focus for Imperial Brands. The conference enabled us to meet with many business partners, colleague and industry friends to discuss and share plans to help drive growth in this region.

“Tobacco continues to be a driver across travel retail and that means we have a unique opportunity in the Middle East. This is an opportunity which Imperial Brands is uniquely positioned to help capitalise on with our cross-category portfolio, ensuring we can provide what consumers require, from cigarettes, fine cut, rolling papers and cigars, to snus and next generation products.”

Picture caption (from left to right): 

1. Vangelis Nikolopoulos – Regional Manager Region East

2. Tobias Baude – Head of Corporate & Legal Affairs Duty Free & Export

3. Vassia Kanellopoulou – Brand Ambassador

4. Winner – Hanno Hellwig – Nestlé International Travel Retail 

5. Gemma Hughes – Brand Ambassador

6. Ilias Panagiotopoulos – Regional Sales & Trade Marketing Operations Manager

7. Dimitra Bakolia – Trade Marketing & FOTG Executive

8. Josef Abou El Sououd – Regional Sales Manager

9. Nikos Kovas – Area Sales Manager GCC