Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Perfetti Van Melle brings new products to Orlando and looks forward to successful year ahead

After a very successful year in the Americas travel retail, with volume growth up 50% compared to 2010, Perfetti Van Melle Global Travel Retail is back at the Duty Free Show of the Americas this year highlighting its new product introductions for 2012 (Booth 1105).
Mentos
This year, Perfetti Van Melle will be displaying Mentos Jumboroll Fruit Mix, a mixture of strawberry, orange and lemon flavored dragees, and Mentos Jumboroll Mint, which is famous all over the world for its crunchy freshness. Each Jumboroll contains 6 single rolls.

Mentos Chewing Gum

PVM believes that there is a massive potential for chewing gum in travel retail, and 2012 sees a brand new focus on this area with new products which are ideal for sales at the cash till point.
3-layer pack
A duo pack of Mentos 3 layers in delicious combination of strawberry, green apple and raspberry flavours. Designed to deliver a longer lasting flavor, a unique chewing experience, and lasting freshness through the textured gel middle layer. 3 layers, 3 flavors designed to deliver a unique chewing experience with longer lasting flavours.

10 packs

A fabulous travel pack containing 10 packs of classic pallet shaped spearmint / peppermint / intense freshness of white peppermint flavoured chewing gum (100 pieces total).


Chupa Chups
The world’s most famous lollipop, Chupa Chups appeals to people of all ages and nationalities – but particularly kids, thanks to the fun and friendly gift packaging. Every year PVM aims to bring its travel retail customers new, innovative and different concepts that will leap off the shelves and into consumer’s baskets!
Binocular: This great pair of working binoculars in various colourways includes a Chupa Chups lollipop to enjoy. An ideal gift for keeping children amused whilst travelling and on their holidays.
Ballooncar: Blow up the balloon to send the race car on its way. Great fun for kids and includes two lollipops to enjoy.
Destination tin: This ideal souvenir gift tin, with various travel related images, contains 16 different flavoured lollipops. Perfect as a memento or gift.
‘The Americas is a very important region for PVM and we have been working hard to set up an efficient distribution structure over the last two years ,’ says Eric Vermetten, PVM Area Manager Europe & Americas. ‘In 2012 it should pay off with good distribution in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean thanks to our four skilled distribution partners in the region or via direct deliveries. Combined with some fantastic new products, which we will be introducing to retailers at the Orlando show, this year should see our business in the Americas really take off.’
PVM is currently supplying airport stores and border stores, but in 2012 it will also look beyond these channels to other areas of opportunity, such as cruise-lines.












For further information contact: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org


February 2012

Thursday, 23 February 2012

World of Patria brings super-premium portfolio to the Americas

World of Patria International (WOPI) is introducing its specially selected portfolio of premium and super-premium spirits and wines to the Americas market at this year’s Duty Free Show of the Americas. Exhibiting for the first time (booth 1300), WOPI will be launching a number of brands to travel retail within the Americas for the very first time. In addition, the company is giving one lucky visitor the opportunity to win a bottle of The Last Drop 1960 Blended Scotch Whisky, with a suggested retail price of $2,700
The Last Drop is just one of the new brands to be introduced at the show – both the 1960 Blended Scotch Whisky and The Last Drop 1950 Cognac are described as rare and exceptional spirits. They are joined by a number of premium whisky/whiskey brands including Inish Turk Beg Irish Whiskey, Orbis Aged World Whiskey (St James Distillery) and Wemyss Vintage Malts – all award winning or highly rated by industry experts, unique in their own right, and ideal for travel retail where the trend continues to be towards premium and super premium offers.

To satisfy the equal demand for premium white spirits, WOPI is introducing Darnley’s View Gin – from the Wemyss distillery. Harking back to Scotland, 1565, when Mary Queen of Scots first spied her future husband, Lord Darnley through the courtyard window of Wemyss Castle, Darnley’s View is described as a superbly balanced, hand-crafted gin, which is made with six carefully selected botanicals including juniper, lemon peel and elderflower.

For those seeking something even more ‘out of the ordinary’, there is Soyombo, the new Super-Premium Mongolian Vodka. This leading high-end vodka comes from the same stable as the premium Chinggis Khan and is ideal for travellers looking for unique, quality vodka that’s a little off the wall !

Wines are an important part of the WOPI stable and Orlando sees the introduction of the superb Follador premium Prosecco selection, which includes a special gift tube for travel retail, Oyster Bay Wines, First Cape Wines and – hot of the press – New Zealand Glacier Wines, details of which will be announced in due course.

And to accompany all these fantastic liquors – chocolate of course! WOPI is also now distributing Fazer, the premium Finnish Confectionery within the Americas and will have the latest products from the company available for tasting at the show.

And Last - but by no means least - on Wednesday March 14 at 1500 hrs WOPI will be drawing the winner of the bottle of The Last Drop 1960 Blended Scotch Whisky. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the WOPI booth and deposit your business card to enter.

Says WOPI managing director Rob Nichols. ‘We’re very excited to be exhibiting at the Duty Free Show of the Americas, bringing what we believe to be a truly exceptional portfolio of premium and super premium spirits and wines to the Americas. The majority of our portfolio is new to the travel retail market, offering dynamic, exciting high quality brands, with great stories and wonderful provenance. some of which are exclusive to the Travel Retail channel
Continues director Kevin Baker. ‘I’ve many Duty Free Shows of the Americas under my belt, but for me this is one of the most exciting, if not challenging, yet. We’re a small company with big ideas and a big vision. I’m confident that we’ve got the perfect portfolio for Americas travel retail – both north and south. Now we just need retailers and operators to come and find out for themselves!’
Booth contacts are Rob Nichols, Kevin Baker and Andy Butcher.



Notes to editors: World of Patria International was formed in 2006, expanding rapidly from its original remit to cater for ex-pat Brits, to extensive coverage of retail outlets focused on travellers in Northern France, and extends to ferries, cruise lines and airports. The company sells an extensive range of spirits, wines and beers as well as Ted’s Cigars and Fazer Confectionery in selected markets.

The team also includes Director, Andy Butcher, previously Category Manager for Hoverspeed and P&O Stena Line, followed by a period as Senior National Account Manager for Constellation Wines, and logistics expert Steve Smith, whose expertise was formed in the automotive industry with Mercedes Benz, Renault and Peugeot.

Press contact: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org.

February 2012









Wednesday, 22 February 2012

WG&S Global Brand Ambassadors set sail together at Viking Whisky Fair

Richmond, London, February 2012: William Grant & Sons was present in full strength at the Viking line Whisky Fair, this month, with all four of the award winning company’s whisky Global Brand Ambassadors onboard the Viking Line Cinderella for the annual whisky event which took place 16th – 19th February 2012.

Representing the family owned distillers premium whisky brands were Sam Simmons for The Balvenie, Ian Millar for Glenfiddich, John Quinn for Tullamore Dew and Ludo Ducroq for Grant’s. Over the three voyages across four days, each Global Brand Ambassador hosted nosing and tastings and brought to life the heritage and stories behind each brand for their audience of whisky enthusiasts.

Global Trade Marketing Manager, Ian Taylor commented: “Tasting and training opportunities like this are great for introducing the brands to new consumers as well as providing the chance to talk to people in more depth about our whisky. We can not only spend time nosing and tasting but also really talk to the guests, answer their questions and raise people’s understanding and product knowledge . It is rare that we have the opportunity to have all four brand ambassadors at the same venue. The annual Viking Line Whisky Fair makes this possible and allows us to showcase to great advantage our portfolio of fantastic whisky.”

A highlight on board was the ‘Cooper masterclass’ where Grant’s ambassador Ludo Ducroq, was accompanied by Peter Copeland, an artisan cooper who displayed the art of barrel making. William Grant &Sons is one of the few distillers left in Scotland who retain their own cooperage across its distilleries in Girvan and Dufftown.

The Nordic region has a high priority and focus for William Grant & Sons following the opening of a Nordic Marketing Office in Stockholm in autumn 2011. Together with the local distributor Hans Just A/S William Grants &Sons aim is to coordinate domestic and travel retail activities and Viking Line is an important strategic partner.


Ends


Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications


Notes to Editor
About William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich
  • William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1886. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila and, most recently, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey.


  • William Grant & Sons has been named 2011’s ‘Distiller of the Year’ and ‘International Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Awards. The company has been awarded this highly sought-after title since 1999, having received distiller accolades from ISC and IWSC an unprecedented nine times in the last 12 years.




About Viking Line
  • Viking Line Cinderella is the flagship of Viking Line the leading Nordic cruiseline operator, dedicated to bringing both entertainment and luxury to their passengers.
  • Cruises on board Cinderella are famous across the region in particular for the annual Whisky Fairs of which Glenfiddich has always been proud to be a part.





Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Godiva launches exciting new lines to travel retail and showcases new Souvenir Range

Godiva Chocolatier, a Belgian leader in premium confectionery, understands that innovation is a key driver of growth. To this end, the company is launching a number of new and revamped lines at the Duty Free Show of the Americas (booth 823), showcasing a completely revamped Souvenir Collection, as well as introducing a number of travel retail exclusive offers.

Godiva has partnered with young graphic designers from the renowned Belgian Design School “La Cambre” to create the exclusive Souvenir Collection,
based on a shared passion for cultural heritage and true ‘savoir faire’.
The first wave of the revamp includes the destinations Hong Kong, London,
Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Taiwan, Italy, Brussels and Japan. Two new locations are also added to the collection: USA and Canada.

The launch will be supported by both instore events and exciting presentations to create theatre and engage the traveller. Additionally, to enable customers to find out more about the collection, Godiva is placing a QR code (URL: godivasouvenirs.com) on the sleeve of each gift box. When scanning this code, travellers will be redirected to an exclusive mini website giving more information on the collection and the young designers involved using movies and images. The idea is to capture the magic of the creation process, inspiring travellers with key messages of passion, heritage and innovation.

Coeur Iconique - Godiva adds a new ‘must have’ gift to its bestselling Gold Collection: the Coeur Iconique Selection is a super-premium, contemporary interpretation of the original Coeur Selection. With a box design inspired by Art Nouveau and an interpretation of lace – so typical of Belgian heritage - the six piece gift box really captures the essence of the brand. The Coeur Iconique also comes in a set of three which is exclusive to Travel Retail.

Les Tentations du Chef – Another Travel Retail exclusive, Godiva introduces an exclusive high premium limited edition of 18 pieces with six unique recipes
from the creative mind of Godiva's Executive Chef, Thierry Muret. The collection includes sophisticated crafted chocolates, true reflections of the original Godiva recipes combined with Thierry Muret's innovative taste, finest ingredients selection and passion. The ultimate gift, Les Tentations du Chef is perfect for enjoying at special gatherings and events.

Godiva’s travel retail business in the Americas has been growing significantly over the past few years. In order to support this continued growth, the company is expanding its team with new roles including a dedicated Area Manager for South America who will focus particularly on emerging markets including Brazil and Uruguay. Godiva is also appointing a Travel Retail Coordinator to support the execution of all promotional activities in the region.

During 2012, Godiva will continue to roll out its new travel retail store concept worldwide including special fixtures for boutiques, shop-in-shops and general merchandise stores. The new design direction is a modern interpretation of the brand, marrying European luxury with the rich Belgian heritage of Godiva creating a fresh, elegant and warm look and feel. Materials are luxurious and rich with details inspired by the Art Nouveau style, strongly aligned with Brussels, married with modern white shelves to perfectly mix old and new.






Press Enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Tel: 44 (0) 208 405 8109. Fax: 44 (0) 208 405 0330. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

Trade Enquiries: Diane Buchanan, International Travel Retail Regional Manager Americas & Caribbean, Tel: (1) 302 239 0802. Fax: (1) 302 239 1918. Email: diane.buchanan@godiva.com.


February 2012















Starting in Belgium in 1926, Godiva has developed a world-wide reputation for excellence with a presence in over 70 countries offering a wide range of chocolate creations. Inspired by the values of Lady Godiva, her passion, generosity, boldness and pioneering spirit, Godiva Chocolatier creates the ultimate chocolate experience and makes the right statement, whatever the occasion. Perfectly combining its craftsmanship and heritage, Godiva's chocolate has become synonymous with luxury and innovation in Belgium tradition, bringing the best of Belgium to the world.

Monday, 20 February 2012

Scorpio named inflight distributor of the year at ARC Asia-Pacific

Scorpio Distributors secured its place as the global leader in inflight distribution when it was named Best Inflight Agent/Distributor at ARC (Airline Retail Conference) 2012 Asia-Pacific. This follows the company being awarded the same accolade at the global ARC event in London last summer.
The Best Inflight Agent/Distributor award was voted online by delegates attending the Singapore event in the run up to the Conference. The award was presented at the ARC 2012 Asia-Pacific Gala Dinner on Tuesday February 7th.

Said Scorpio Group Sales & Marketing Director Richard Kennedy: ‘We’re thrilled to have won this award tonight. Following on from winning Best Inflight Agent/Distributor at the London event last summer, this award really underlines Scorpio’s commitment in Asia-Pacific.’
Scorpio used the ARC event to launch its new LipSmackers and Di Palomo products to airline buyers in the region. LipSmackers is a range of fun, creative and highly popular lip balms in multipacks for the travel retail market. Each balm has its own distinctive scent and flavour – including Coca Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other household names. Commented Kennedy: “We have already had a tremendous response to LipSmackers and this continued this week. It is going to be a big hit in inflight.”

Also new and notable from Scorpio is its new Di Palomo range of bath and body products. The travel retail exclusive range offers three ranges of indulgent fragrance, bath and body products: Wild Fig & Grape, White Grape with Aloe, and Orange Blossom. All are presented with a unique story which draws on vivid recollections of time spent in Italy. Delightful packaging and complex fragrances are designed to transport the consumer to the scene of inspiration, from a Tuscan farmhouse in the early morning to an evening walk through orange groves.

'We have been knocked out by the response from airlines to Lipsmackers and Di Palomo at ARC. The interest has been phenomenal for both product lines,” says Kennedy.

Also new at the show was Skin Doctors ™, a range of cosmeceutical products which bridge the gap between traditional cosmetics and cosmetic surgery by offering professional strength, scientifically based skincare treatments. Offered exclusively by Scorpio Distributors inflight and to ground travel retail stores, the range has a premium look and feel in silver and white boxes for stand out on shelf. The offer includes Vein Away™, Eyetuck, Instant Facelift, Instant Eyelift, Superfacelift, YouthCell, Face Serum and Bio Serum.

Notes to editors: Created in Sydney, Australia, in 1997, Skin Doctors™ first product – Vein Away ™– became the number one selling pharmacy cream that year. Expanded to international markets in 2001, Skin Doctors TM is now distributed in 48 countries globally.

Rowena Holland, Essential Communications. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

February 2011











Friday, 17 February 2012

First ever dedicated ‘Glenfiddich Lounge’ opens onboard Viking Line Cinderella

William Grant & Sons Global Travel Retail Team and Nordic cruiseline operator, Viking Line are delighted to announce the unveiling of the first ever ‘Glenfiddich Lounge’, a bar dedicated to the enjoyment of the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, onboard the Viking Line flagship, Cinderella.

Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador, Ian Millar, officially opened the ‘Glenfiddich Lounge’ on Thursday 16th February 2012, when he hosted an exclusive evening of Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky tasting to a select group of specially invited guests.

The Glenfiddich Lounge will be staffed by a team of whisky experts. The highly knowledgeable team will host nosing and tasting sessions for passengers and provide information about Glenfiddich and malt whisky in general.

William Grant and Sons Global Travel Retail Regional Manager, Europe, Erik Thomsen said: “We are thrilled that we have been able to open this pioneering ‘Glenfiddich Lounge’ onboard Viking Line Cinderella. It has been really exciting to be a part of a team dedicated to creating such an innovative and engaging way for our consumer to experience, enjoy and learn about Glenfiddich. I must thank the teams at Viking Line and our distributor, Hans Just, for their outstanding work.’’

The opening of the ‘Glenfiddich Lounge’ onboard Viking Line Cinderella is an important first step in William Grant and Sons’ Nordic strategy across both domestic and Travel Retail market places and illustrates the importance of the Nordic region and Viking Line in the continued success of the Glenfiddich brand. Last year, the company set up a dedicated marketing office in Stockholm to coordinate this strategy and appointed Hans Just A/S to be the exclusive Nordic distributor for all William Grant and Sons brands.

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Ends

Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications


Notes to Editor
About William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich
  • William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1886. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila and, most recently, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey.


  • William Grant & Sons has been named 2011’s ‘Distiller of the Year’ and ‘International Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Awards. The company has been awarded this highly sought-after title since 1999, having received distiller accolades from ISC and IWSC an unprecedented nine times in the last 12 years.


  • Recent Awards:
    • Gold Best in Class, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, Glenfiddich Rich Oak & Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
    • Gold, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, Glenfiddich 18 Year Old, Glenfiddich 21 Year Old & Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
    • Silver Best in Class, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix
    • Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery
    • Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside up to 18: Glenfiddich Rich Oak & Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
    • Silver, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside up to 25: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old & Glenfiddich Age of Discovery
    • Master’s, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside over 25: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old & Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
    • Master’s, Scotch Whisky Masters awards 2011, Speyside special editions: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix






About Viking Line
  • Viking Line Cinderella is the flagship of Viking Line the leading Nordic cruiseline operator, dedicated to bringing both entertainment and luxury to their passengers.
  • Cruises on board Cinderella are famous across the region in particular for the annual Whisky Fairs of which Glenfiddich has always been proud to be a part.

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

JCI JEWELLERY INTRODUCES STUNNING AEON SHAMBALLA BRACELETS TO TRAVEL RETAIL

A gorgeous range of Aeon Shamballa bracelets has been launched by manufacturer and distributor of fashion jewellery, JCI Jewellery. Exclusive to travel retail, the Shamballa Bracelets come in a variety of styles and are extremely competitively priced at between £16 and £20.
Shamballa bracelets, inspired by the ancient traditions of Buddhism and Tibetan meditation and yoga, have become one of the most popular and in-trend jewellery styles, retailing on domestic markets at prices of up to £140 or more. The Aeon bracelets are available in a variety of white or black crystal cubic zirconia and pearl (effect?) balls, either blocked or alternating, with adjustable pull fastenings.
‘We’ve introduced a much more affordable fashion version of the Shamballa, which is every bit as attractive and wearable as far higher priced versions on the High Street,’ says JCI Jewellery managing director Chris Campbell. ‘Even at £20 or less the bracelets offer excellent quality and are guaranteed for 12 months against defects in workmanship,’
JCI Jewellery consultant Jeannie Archer, JA Associates, says the response from airlines has been amazing, with the white crystal and grey pearl alternating design particularly popular. ‘We believe this range has huge potential inflight, attractive to passengers of all ages, and perfect as an impulse buy for self-purchase or as a gift.’
With gifting in mind, the bracelets are available either in a white window box with the aeon logo, or an attractive, soft organza pouch – designed to save bar space.
Notes to editors: Based in Co Tyrone, N Ireland, JCI Jewellery has established a sound business for the Aeon brand of sterling silver, silver-dipped and gold-dipped jewellery with listings on airlines including British Airways, Aer Lingus, Thomas Cook, Monarch, Easy Jet UK, Jet 2, Flybe, Aeroflot, and Tourvest for Virgin Atlantic, South African Airways and Kenya Airways, Condor, Air Berlin, Tui Germany,













February 2012