Aurora World creates merchandising unit for travel retail

Specialist plush toy company, Aurora World has created a merchandise unit specifically for travel retail that combines maximum display ability on minimum floor space.  Designed to capitalize on the impulse nature of plush, the unit is ideal for spot placing throughout the retail environment – not just the children’s/toy area.

Aurora Travel Retail Sales Manager Garry Stoner says “The availability of plush is a sure-fire means of increasing average spend per head and conversion levels, but it is generally not a pre-planned purchase. This attractive, three-sided merchandise unit enables up to 160 pieces from the Aurora range to be displayed on just 0.650sqm of floor space. Branded Aurora, when full of bright and colourful plush, the unit is a beacon for passengers of all ages.”

Stoner suggests that the merchandising unit could be used throughout the store along with satellite retail areas. “Encouraging incremental sales is what it’s all about and this unit is the perfect way to do that. We have selected our top 20 “best selling items” retailing for key pick up price points between $10 and $20. The merchandising unit is available from June 2016; already operators Dufry, Aerrianta International and Setur have listed for selected locations.”

INVU ultra polarized expands its Travel Retail footprint with prestigious listing on Virgin Atlantic Airways

Swiss Eyewear Group and DFASS are expanding their successful partnership by listing Swiss Eyewear Group’s innovative INVU ultra polarized sunglasses on board of Virgin Atlantic Airways modern fleet of 38 planes. Two brand new INVU ultra polarized summer 2016 fashion styles for men and women will be available. As a special introductory offer, a limited edition hand-made acetate sunglass bracelet will be offered to customers, complimentary with the purchase of a pair of INVU sunglasses.

As part of Swiss Eyewear Group’s outstanding customer service, the Virgin Atlantic Airways flight crews have been trained by Swiss Eyewear Group. Crew members have learned about INVU’s proprietary ultra polarized lens technology, the outstanding UV protection these sunglasses offer and the meticulous Swiss design and engineering process of Swiss Eyewear Group.

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

Taoyuan sees arrival of new Furla store

Furla is pleased to announce the opening of a new 15sqm personalized corner in Taoyuan International Airport, T2 North.

Officially opened on the 22nd of June in partnership with Tasa Meng, the store carries Furla’s stunning SS16 collection.

Says Gerry Munday, Furla’s Global Travel Retail Director: “This was our first time working in partnership with Tasa Meng, and I thank them for their support and look forward to working with them again in the future. Furla is really on a high in Asia, and our team have been working tirelessly to open new stores across the continent and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the year.”

Mars International Travel Retail announces its sponsorship plans

Mars International Travel Retail (MITR) has reconfirmed its commitment to unlocking growth in the confectionery category with the announcement that it will be a Platinum sponsor at the Frontier Awards and Gold Sponsor at the Trinity Forum this year.

Both events hold high esteem within the travel retail industry, giving MITR the perfect opportunity to showcase their strategy to a large network of decision makers.

MITR’s Category Director, Matt Boulter comments, “Sponsoring both these key events is another step towards our goal of unlocking confectionery category growth in international travel retail. Sharing our strategy with key decision makers is vital if we are to succeed, so where better to do it if not at two highly respected, though very different, annual events!”

The Trinity Forum, the world’s leading airport commercial revenues conference, will take place this year on 12-14 September in Mumbai. The event, co-organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, ACI World and ACI Asia-Pacific, will be hosted by Mumbai International Airport Limited.

The Frontier Awards will once again be taking place during TFWA World Exhibition (Wednesday, October 5th). The event - that has been running for over 30 years – brings industry figures together to help celebrate creativity and innovation in duty free & travel retail. This year a new venue awaits: The Palm Beach!

PVM welcomes new member to its GTR team

Perfetti Van Melle GTR is pleased to announce that, as of June, Benedict Ho has joined its GTR team to further develop its business in ASPAC. Benedict replaces Estee Teo as International Area Manager ASPAC.
Benedict has spend the last 6 years mainly in the Tobacco industry, of which travel retail has been part of his responsibilities.  After a temporary leave from the travel business, Benedict started to miss the industry and has since been looking for an opportunity to return.

Susan De Vree, PVM’s Global Travel Retail Manager, comments: “With Benedict’s experience, knowledge and personality, I am very confident he will succeed in supporting our brands and expand our ASPAC business in close cooperation with our customers. I wish him every success in his new role.”

Venice Marco Polo welcomes new Furla store

Furla continues to expand its travel retail presence in Europe with the opening of a new store in Venice Marco Polo International Airport.

Officially opened in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail on the 31st of May, the new 21sqm personalized store is showing Furla’s colourful and sophisticated SS16 collection.

Says Gerry Munday: “Once again a big thank you to Lagardère for their hard work and loyal dedication to the brand. We will continue to open new stores in Europe throughout the year and expect to be working in partnership with Lagardère again in the near future.”

Hendrick’s Gin is as cool as a cucumber at Heinemann Duty Free - Frankfurt Airport

With summer well on its way, passengers travelling through Frankfurt Airport can enjoy one of the world’s favourite summertime drinks - the gin & tonic - thanks to William Grant & Sons and its globally renowned Hendrick’s Gin. Naturally – being Hendrick’s – this is a gin & tonic with a difference!

In partnership with Gebr Heinemann, WGS has created a promotional platform that typically plays on the unusual, quirky nature of the brand; in this case the importance of serving Hendrick’s Gin with a slice of cucumber. Running throughout June, at the Heinemann Duty Free Shop,  T1 Area B, consumers are invited to pedal the peculiar bicycle ‘Master Serve ‘O’ Matic’ in order to deliver the perfect slice of cucumber, which they can then enjoy in a refreshing Hendrick’s & Tonic.

The experiential bicycle unit, along with an intriguing story told through floor and wall graphics brings the brand to life, transporting the consumer into the wonders of cucumber slicing. Shelving units provide merchandising space for both bottles of Hendrick’s and the Conjurers Compendium Gift Pack – the latter offered free with every purchase while stocks last.

Emma Humphreys, Regional Marketing Manager William Grant & Sons, comments:  “The cucumber slice is a vital part of the Hendrick’s gin & tonic, but has not previously formed the main thrust of an activation. This puts that right with this clever contraption that – in true Hendrick’s style – drives consumer curiosity, interest, and desire in a fun and unique way.

“Additionally offering passengers the opportunity to try the brand increases the likeliness of a purchase both at the time of the promotion and in the future.”

Ann-Kathrin Fürer, Head of Activity Management at Gebr Heinemann, adds: “William Grant & Sons always creates promotions that catch the traveller’s eye, as well as adding an element of excitement to the airport floor. We are pleased to be working with WGS again and look forward to seeing the results of this excellent promotion.”


Notes to editors:
HENDRICK’S is available in a 100cl bottle (ABV 44%),retailing at all major airport duty free stores and all good bars and restaurants across our green and pleasant land.

HENDRICK’S is a deliciously super premium gin, made with a number of unusual twists to deliver a most curious arrangement. Unlike ordinary gins, HENDRICK’S is distilled in Scotland, in miniscule batches of only 450 litres at a time. Only HENDRICK’S is made with infusions of Cucumber and Rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully floral aroma. HENDRICK’S is the only gin made in a combination of a Carter-Head and copper pot still, creating a divinely smooth gin with both character and balance of subtle flavours.

Hendrick’s is made by William Grant & Sons - an award-winning, independent, family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and 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 fourth largest blended Scotch Grant’s, as well as selected other spirits, including Tullamore Dew and Sailor Jerry. www.williamgrant.com


About Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co. KG
Gebr. Heinemann is one of the top players on the international travel retail market and the leader on the European market. It is the only family-run business among the global players of the travel retail industry. As a distributor, Gebr. Heinemann is supplying more than a 1,000 customers in 100-plus countries. In the retail sector, Gebr. Heinemann operates more than 300 Heinemann Duty Free and Travel Value shops, fashion label boutiques under license and concept shops at 78 airports in 28 countries along with shops at border crossings and aboard cruise liners. The family-run business has developed a branding concept designed to make its duty free and travel value shops truly unmistakable. The Heinemann Duty Free brand is now present at numerous airports worldwide, with its biggest Duty Free Shop at an airport in Sydney. On 115.000 square metres the retail operation now serves more than 40 million customers annually.