William Grant & Sons appoints DFNI's Mezzasalma

William Grant & Sons Global Travel Retail has announced the appointment of Nicole Mezzasalma as Promotions and Marketing Executive, effective from July 15. She will join the company’s European team with responsibility for leading the training programme for the region.



Mezzasalma currently serves as deputy editor of trade publication Duty-Free News International, where she has worked for the past six years. Before that she held several journalism roles in the UK and her native country of Brazil.


Director Europe Travel Retail André de Almeida said: “We are delighted to announce that Nicole will be joining us next month as part of the European team. She will help us to develop our relationships with key customers in the region and drive our brands further in the channel.”

Smurfs come to Heathrow and Gatwick With Chupa Chups

 With the new Smurfs 2 Movie due for release at the end of July, Perfetti Van Melle is promoting its new Chupa Chups Smurfs Markets travel pack with specially designed giant merchandising units at London Heathrow T3 and Gatwick South. The colourful units will be in place from July 17 to August 21 and feature high visibility Smurfs visuals along with a full range of Chupa Chups products.

PVM says response to the Chupa Chups Smurfs Markers travel pack to date has been excellent. The pack, which contains 8 markers, 7 lollipops and one Smurf colouring book is exclusive to travel retail and is now listed at key airports throughout Europe and a lot of other countries worldwide.

Promotional staff will be present at Heathrow and Gatwick during the month to highlight the unit and push the range.

July 2013

Delhi Duty Free and William Grant & Sons team up in exciting Mega Promotion

July sees highly focused brand activity for William Grant & Sons’ Glenfiddich and Grant’s Scotch Whiskies with Delhi Duty Free, India’s leading travel retailer.

For the first time in the Indian Sub-Continent, William Grants & Sons is running an exciting ‘Mega Promotion’ during the month which offers passengers the chance to win a fantastic portable home bar each week through a lucky draw. Entry is possible with every purchase worth US$80 from either the “Glenfiddich” range or “Grant’s Family Reserve family”.

This consumer engaging promotion is orientated on product information aimed at educating consumers on each brand variant and covers the entire Glenfiddich and Grant’s ranges. With the clever use of dividing walls, bottles can be displayed in an impactful ‘museum’ style, clearly displaying the vintage year and including tasting notes. This allows for a clear division between standard and higher end vintages and enables those expressions which are Travel Retail Exclusive to be visibly displayed as such. Housed in the wall is a screen which shows the Glenfiddich story, selling the rich history associated with the brand to consumers.

In addition, for the first time at Delhi Duty Free, aroma cones for each variant are included within the display to enable consumers to have their own nosing experience.

Says William Grant & Sons’ Head of Sales-India Sub Continent, Neeraj Sharma: ‘Retail experience within the Indian Subcontinent has evolved hugely in global travel retail and that has been largely led by DDFS who has undertaken pioneering efforts in this regard. As a step in this direction, we are doing the mega promotion in July which offers a mix of consumer education through product nosing & attractive gifts with purchases, with the mega prize of a designer Glenfiddich home bar.”

Glenfiddich is the leading Single Malt at Delhi Duty Free and, adds Sharma: ‘The trend today is for consumers to stock a Single Malt range at home for personal consumption and enjoyment. So it makes perfect sense to have a prize such as the Glenfiddich Home Bar. We are very grateful to DDFS for giving us this wonderful opportunity.’

Mr. Steve O Connor, CEO, Delhi Duty Free Services Pvt. Ltd, said “Glenfiddich is one of the finest brands in the Single Malt segment and William Grants products in general have always received a good response at Delhi Duty Free. Travellers from all over the world find fervour with this brand. We at Delhi Duty Free have always endeavoured to provide the best of offers and promotions to our customer. And this is first of a kind initiative & will create excitement for the true whisky connoisseurs where they can win a portal bar.”

Notes to Editors

• William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family. The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite Single Malt Glenfiddich, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie Single Malts and the world’s oldest family blend, Grant’s, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s Gin, voted the ‘World’s Best Gin’ by the Wall Street Journal.

• According to recent IWSR results, Grant’s is now the world’s number three in retail value. The move onto podium reaffirms Grant’s’ credentials as a key player on the world whisky stage. Over the last five years, Grant’s has consistently grown ahead of the category, achieving in 2010 worldwide sales of 4.8 million cases and retail value of over $1bn.
• Visit www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

About DDFS

DDFS is a single largest duty free retail operator in India operating out of T3, the 6th largest single terminal building in terms of floor area. The company was awarded the concession to manage and operate the Duty Free Shops at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. As India’s progressive economy continues to grow, DDFS sees an exciting opportunity within the airport retailing business ensuring Delhi Duty Free is established as one of the world’s prominent travel retail shopping experiences and destination.

LORD COE AND WILLIE WALSH TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESSES AT TFWA WORLD EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE

Double Olympic Gold Medallist and Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Lord Sebastian Coe will make the keynote address at the opening plenary of the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes on Monday 21^st October 2013.

A legendary middle-distance runner, ‘Seb’ Coe set eight outdoor and three indoor world records during his career and won four Olympic medals including Gold in the 1500 metres in 1980 and in 1984. Following his retirement from athletics, he was a Conservative Member of the British Parliament from 1992 to 1997 and became a Life Peer in 2000. Coe headed the successful London bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, widely considered one of the most successful Summer Games of all time. Upon their conclusion, he was appointed chairman of the British Olympic Association in November 2012.

Lord Coe will address the various challenges involved in bringing to fruition an extremely complex business plan, resulting in an unforgettable experience for thousands of visitors and spectators around the world.

Following him onto the stage at the Conference, which is themed ‘A Brand New Challenge’, will be one of the most influential figures in civil aviation: Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of International Airlines Group, the holding company of British Airways and Iberia. The former CEO of Aer Lingus, Willie Walsh started his career as a commercial pilot and went on to preside over the merger of two of the largest international airlines in the world.

Thom Rankin, TFWA Vice President Conferences & Research: “TFWA is delighted to be able to offer delegates at the 2013 TFWA World Exhibition & Conference the perspectives of two individuals who are, without question, at the very top of their game. They have each faced challenges which would daunt lesser men and have striven to achieve their goals with the eyes of the world upon them. We are honoured that they have agreed to speak at our annual conference and to share their unique and, I am sure, inspiring experiences. I believe I speak for all when I say we are looking forward to these presentations with great excitement.”

The third speaker of the morning will be the eminent free-thinker John Gerzema, consultant and author of The Athena Doctrine: How Women (And The Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule The Future which was published this spring. The author also of The Post-Crisis Consumer (2009), Gerzema is a regular contributor to TED Events, a global programme of conferences founded in 1984 as a think-tank for futurists and thought-leaders under the slogan ‘ideas worth spreading’.

“John Gerzema is guaranteed to challenge our current notions of the consumer of luxury goods today,” continued Rankin. “An accomplished academic and marketer, his wide-ranging presentation is likely to stimulate considerable debate as we embark on a busy business week.”

Presenting the annual ‘State of the Industry’ address at the Conference will be Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA, whose considered assessment of the duty free and travel retail industry, its recent successes, current challenges and future potential, is valued highly by delegates at this annual event.

The TFWA World Exhibition Conference will be moderated by highly respected journalist Stephen Sackur Presenter of BBC HARDtalk.

All delegates registered to attend TFWA World Exhibition in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes (20-25 October 2013) are entitled to participate in the opening Conference.

Registration for TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is open at www.tfwa.com.

Ends

Scorpio Worldwide opens new Dubai office

May 20 saw the official opening of Scorpio Worldwide’s new Middle East regional office at the Jumeirah Business Centre in Jumeirah Lake Towers – five times the size of Scorpio's previous showroom at 2,545 sq ft.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out by Emirates Airline Vice President Retail Services John Sime and was attended by a number of industry guests including Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin and wife Breda plus buyers from DUFRY Eurasia, Aldeasa Kuwait, Muscat Duty Free, Emirates Airline, Traveller, DFS Abu Dhabi, Suzan General Trading, Indu Worldwide and members of the media.

Guests were greeted by Scorpio Worldwide Chairman Stuart McGuire who said: ‘Our new offices reflect our commitment to the region, and provide a platform to build on our success over the past five years and create further growth.  I would like to thank all our customers and suppliers for their faith in us, and for Garry (Stoner), Vanessa (Hill) and the whole team, who have done an excellent job.’

Press contact: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. 

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org.

June 2013

Dubai Office Opening image show L-R from Scorpio Worldwide:  Vanessa Hill – Area Sales Director; Ian Cowie – Managing Director; Marina Hough-Hussain – Customer Service Manager ; Stuart McGuire – Chairman; Kate McGrath – Corporate Coordinator; Richard Kennedy – Sales & Marketing Director; Garry Stoner – Director of Sales – Travel Retail

Image1495: Scorpio Worldwide Chairman Stuart McGuire with Emirates Airline VP Retail Services John Sime

Image 1506: Scorpio Worldwide Chairman Stuart McGuire with Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin and wife Breda

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR TFWA WORLD EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE

Registration is now open for the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, the 29^th annual forum serving the global duty free and travel retail industry, which will be staged in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes from Sunday 20^th to Friday 25^th October, 2013.

“TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is marked in red across the diaries of all of us in the duty free and travel retail community,” commented Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA. “It is a unique opportunity for the entire industry to come together to discuss business, view new products and concepts, and get up to speed on the issues of the day. I commend it to all who are serious about doing business in this burgeoning market.”

Duty free and travel retail sales in 2012 exceeded US$49 billion, according to preliminary results announced by independent analyst Generation Research, and they are projected to reach US$64 billion by 2015.

TFWA World Exhibition 2013 will provide a platform for the launch of numerous new products many of them exclusive to the duty free and travel retail channel. This annual event enables industry stakeholders to establish trends for the coming year in an endless pursuit of the outstanding quality, variety and exclusivity with which duty free and travel retail are associated.

Last year a total of 6,074 trade visitors, up 4% on the previous year, from 2,877 companies browsed the aisles, viewing, sampling and discussing the product portfolios of the 462 exhibiting companies present, which between them represent thousands of prestigious international brands.

Setting the tone for the week will be the TFWA World Exhibition Conference on Monday, 21^st October on the theme ‘A Brand New Challenge’ with engaging and informative presentations by top level speakers from the international business, economics and marketing spheres.

As usual a unique programme of workshops and networking is being planned to encourage the exchange of ideas and the development of new business relationships.

A programme of sports and leisure activities is in store for Sunday 20^th, rounded off with an Opening Cocktail, which will provide an exciting and enjoyable start to a very busy week. The climax of the social activities will be the glamorous Le Premium Evening on Thursday 24^th where delegates will celebrate relationships in delightful surroundings.

Pre-registration for TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is open at www.tfwa.com.

Ends

Travel Retail Consortium funds benefit British charities

The UK based Travel Retail Consortium has raised £3400 for charity through its industry events held in Bath last year and at the more recent lunch at the Houses of Parliament.

£1700 has been donated to MAGIC, a Kent based charity that supports children with Autism and their families. The other half has been donated to the British Heart Foundation in memory of the well known and much loved Alan Edwards (ARI senior consultant to Qatar Duty Free) who died suddenly last year. The donation was presented to Lesley Edwards in memory of her late husband at the recent TRC meeting at Chiddingstone Castle in Kent.

Said TRC Vice Chairman Richard Thorpe: ‘Since it was founded over 40 years ago, fund-raising has been an important part of the Travel Retail Consortium’s remit and we are delighted to benefit two such important charities as a result of the generosity not only of our own members but the guests which have joined us at our events in Bath and London over the past year.’

Image shows (L-R) TRC Members: Kiran Norman ( Twinings), Alex Rudd ( Mars), Jeannie Anderson ( JAA Associates), Jaime Whittaker ( Accolade Wines), Lesley Edwards, Nicola Fraser ( Coty), Tina Davies ( Imperial Tobacco), Wayne Morgan ( Remy Cointreau), and Richard Thorpe ( Retail In Motion).

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.

Its objectives are to raise standards of business within the Travel Retail industry; promote members products and services; discuss industry issues; and provide social and networking opportunities for key travel retail customers at annual events. The TRC is also active in raising funds for charity.

Meetings are held bi-monthly at members or customer company locations covering industry issues, new operators/services, business opportunities etc. Confidential matters such as margins and terms are NOT discussed.

A fun customer event is held annually and has included a Treasure Hunt in Bath, It’s a Knockout, School Sport Day, Newbury Race Day and wine tasting in Jersey. This is followed by a black tie evening event. Consortium custom is that bacon rolls and coffee served for those still around at 1a.m.

All TRC enquiries should be made via the website (www.travelretailconsortium.co.uk) or info@travelretailconsortium.co.uk.

Current TRC Members: Accolade Wines; Coty Prestige Travel Retail and Export; Grolsch, Guinness; Imperial Tobacco International; JA Associates (JCI Jewelry, Morgan & Oates); Mars; Paramount Imagination; Remy Cointreau ; Retail in Motion; Champagne Taittinger; Twinings.

Press Enquiries: Row Holland, Essential Communications. 

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

June 2013