Furla unveils new styles and trends to Asia Pacific buyers

TFWA Asia Pacific will see a mix of new styles and trends as Furla’s FW16 collection is shown to retail buyers this May in Singapore (Stand: J22_Basement 2).

Furla Travel Retail Exclusive Bags

The new Furla bags embody the rebellious spirit typical of the music scene, from rock to pop, and are influenced by a metropolitan tribal beat in its more modern interpretation. The bags are decorated with laser cuts, a true expression of contemporary artisanship, which add 3D effects and create kaleidoscopic patterns, embellished with golden studs. The new Furla Loop bag, for example, with fringes that emphasize movement and femininity.

Shoulder straps, the season’s protagonists, recall guitar-like straps and are enriched with details and weave effects. The leathers are smooth, supple and soft so that they sinuously adapt to the body becoming a unique element. Perfectly on-trend, charms convey a personal touch to each bag, making it special for every occasion.

The colour palette is sharp and well-defined, veering from black to blues to army green with touches of deep red and metal sparkles.  A collection that reflects our times, where people are constantly exposed to stimuli and influences, where cultures meet and blend creating new aesthetic harmonies.
The Furla Valentina and Furla Club bags are characterized by a new and colourful camouflage pattern, that becomes a manifesto of the fervent cultural mixes of big cities, especially when matched to the new tribe tattoo themed straps and tags.

The iconic Furla Metropolis bag has evolved into a “creative laboratory” where new dimensions, craftsmanship and materials are developed and enriched.

Also being shown is the brand new travel retail exclusive Furla bag, a limited edition set of three crossbody bags in Saffiano leather, each with a smaller detachable pouch inside. Available in three trendy colour combinations: Lampone & Magnolia, Onyx & Gold, and Cobalto & Silver, each bag has an adjustable and detachable strap.

“Asia is extremely important to the Furla brand and accounts for 35% of our global business in travel retail,” says Gerry Munday, Furla’s Global Travel Retail Director. “We are seeing significant growth in all areas, with a 36% sales increase in 2015 thanks to our presence now in 48 countries with a total of 195 airport doors vs 174 in 2014. We also have some exciting projects being finalised which will be announced in due course.

“I’m confident that this growth will continue as we continue to bring out collections that break the mould in terms of innovation, design and styling. The FW16 collection has already received incredible feedback and, with the addition of our latest travel retail exclusive, we are looking forward to a very successful and productive week in Singapore this year.”

Furla and Lagardere open two new Furla stores

Malaga

Nice T1

Furla is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Lagardere Travel Retail in the openings of a new 18sqm generic store in Nice International Airport Terminal 1 and a 15sqm store in Malaga International Airport.

The store in Nice officially opened on the 24th of March while the Malaga location opened on March 30th; both with Furla’s SS16 collection.

“We have been extremely busy with new store openings all over the globe this year,” said Gerry Munday, Furla’s Global Travel Retail Director. “These are fabulous locations for Furla and I thank Lagardere for their partnership and continued support of the brand”.

Paul & Shark expands in Asia with Shanghai opening

Luxury lifestyle brand Paul & Shark has opened a new boutique at Shanghai Pudong Terminal 1 in partnership with King Power Orient. The store opened in the domestic departures lounge on March 15, further strengthening Paul & Shark’s presence in China – both domestic and travel retail.

Says Worldwide Travel Retail Director Catherine Bonelli: “King Power Orient has been most supportive in helping us to open this new boutique and we look forward to a profitable partnership.”
With a strong Chinese following, Paul & Shark believes that presence in key Chinese airports is imperative for growing brand image and awareness.

 “China and the destinations to which the Chinese travel are very important for us,” continues Bonelli. “We’ve seen incredible expansion in Asia over the past year and the Chinese have played a major part in that – despite the current slowdown in spending overall, they remain vital for us.”

INVU launches an attractive Gift with Sunglass Purchase promotion exclusively for Travel Retail

“Accessorize Yourself!” with the latest fashion trends. This is the motto of the fresh Gift with Purchase promotion from INVU, the trendy new sunglass brand. As of April 2016 INVU will be offering Travel Retail customers an exclusive sunglass bracelet, complimentary with the purchase of a pair of INVU sunglasses. This limited edition fashion accessory is handcrafted in the same high quality acetate material that is used to create top of the line sunglasses and optical frames.  The eye catching bracelet perfectly complements the spring 2016 fashion trends. For further information about this Travel Retail exclusive promotion or for additional information on INVU sunglasses, please contact martyn@newthing.uk.com

All INVU sunglasses are engineered in Switzerland, equipped with the ultra polarized lens technology from Swiss Eyewear Group and retail at a consumer friendly price of Euro 50 – Euro 70.

Swiss Eyewear Group (International) AG is a registered, privately held company with its headquarters in Zürich Switzerland. INVU is a registered trademark of Swiss Eyewear Group (International) AG.

WILLIAM GRANT APPOINTS RICHARD BUSH TO AMERICAS REGIONAL ROLE

Richard Bush has joined William Grant & Sons Global Travel Retail team as Regional Marketing Manager – Americas. He brings wide ranging experience of both the spirits and travel retail markets to the company, most recently with CAMUS Cognac where he spent two years as Area Manager (Sales) covering the US travel retail, Canada and parts of the Caribbean. In this role he developed close working relationships with the region’s key duty free operators and distributors/agents.

Richard began his career in the wine and spirits industry in 1997 when he joined SOPEXA Food and Wine from France in New York City. In 2003 he was taken on by a small Canadian start up company Domaine Pinnacle and, as Marketing Director from 2004-2009, played a significant role in the company becoming the world’s leading producer of Ice Cider. He also helped to develop Canada’s first super premium gin: Ungava.

WGS Regional Director North America Stephen Corrigan comments: “Richard will undoubtedly be a strong asset to the WGS GTR team and we’re delighted to welcome him onboard. He adds to an already highly experienced and committed team that will continue to bring best-in-class products, activations and support to travel retail in the Americas region.”

Richard will be on the WGS booth in Orlando and looks forward to meeting customers there.

STOLI® VODKA ANNOUNCES LATEST PRODUCT INNOVATION: STOLI® GLUTEN FREE

Stoli Vodka Continues its 80-year Tradition of Pioneering Heritage and Category Innovation as the
First Global Vodka Brand to Create a Completely New Recipe and Product for Gluten-Free Consumers

ORLANDO, March 22, 2016 – Stoli® Vodka announces the launch of Stoli Gluten Free which continues Stoli’s commitment to innovation and pioneering heritage through its storied 80-year history by marking the first time a global vodka brand is creating a completely new gluten-free recipe to meet the needs of gluten-free consumers. Made with 88 percent corn and 12 percent buckwheat, Stoli Gluten Free will launch in the U.S. with availability at Stoli accounts nationwide starting in April 2016 followed by a U.S. Duty Free roll out shortly thereafter.

“Innovating within the Vodka category has remained an integral part of Stoli’s DNA for 80 years and
counting,” said Patrick Piana, President and CEO, Stoli Group USA. “As with all of our innovations, we conduct consumer research and discuss with our trade partners to identify unmet consumer needs in the marketplace. Stoli Gluten Free will resonate with younger legal drinking age consumers who have an active lifestyle and greater focus on the products they consume.”

Added Piana, “Our distributors have given very positive feedback to-date. We believe that Stoli Gluten Free is an incredible opportunity for Stoli and that it will help us continue to grow our market share.”

Stoli Gluten Free purposely includes “Gluten Free” on the front label to clearly communicate to
consumers that Stoli Gluten Free is a gluten-free product. The U.S. TTB classified Stoli Gluten Free for gluten-free labeling because it meets its standard of being made with naturally gluten-free ingredients, the only way a product can be classified as truly gluten free.

The Stoli Gluten Free packaging will maintain Stoli’s iconic bottle, with a premium label that features a unique batch number and signature of Ronalds Zarinovs, production director of Latvijas Balzams, whom oversees the production of all Stoli Vodka products.


Stoli controls the entire production process of Stoli Gluten Free and its entire range of Premium Vodkas. Stoli Gluten Free is made with naturally gluten-free corn and buckwheat harvested from the fertile fields in the Tambov region of Russia. The ingredients are then distilled three times at Stoli’s state of the art Talvis distillery and filtered four times, through quartz sand and birchwood charcoal, before being blended with pure, natural spring water from the Latvijas Balzams’ artesian well in Riga, Latvia.

“In developing Stoli Gluten Free, we wanted to create a product that not only delivered on a consumer need, but also achieved Stoli’s incredibly high standards of quality and taste,” said Michael Oringer, Senior Vice President of Innovation & Trade Marketing, Stoli Group USA. “We experimented with a variety of gluten-free ingredients before finalizing on a unique mash of corn and buckwheat. The result is delicious, old-world style tasting vodka that meets the needs of our consumers who live a gluten-free lifestyle.”

“We are excited to launch Stoli Gluten Free in US Duty Free where we see true potential for this innovative product that speaks not only to those suffering from Gluten allergies but also those choosing to live a Gluten Free lifestyle as well as those interested in exploring within the Stoli range of products,” said Dayna Dennington, Regional Director Duty Free North and Central America, Stoli Group.  Added Dennington, “We look forward to working with our US Duty Free partners across all channels to introduce Stoli Gluten Free in the coming months.”

With a smooth taste and clean finish, Stoli Gluten Free is the latest addition to Stoli’s portfolio of old-
world style vodkas, including flagship Stoli Premium, Stoli Flavors and elit™ by Stoli®. Stoli Gluten Free will be available in 50 ml, 750 ml and 1L packages.

Stoli Gluten Free will be launched to duty free buyers for the first time at the upcoming Duty Free Show of the Americas (Chase International Booth 1111).



About Stoli Group USA, LLC
Stoli Group USA, LLC is the North American subsidiary of SPI Group, recognized globally for pioneering heritage and the outstanding Stolichnaya® brand of premium Vodkas. New York-based Stoli Group USA reflects significant growth investment in the U.S. market by parent company SPI Group and will drive the brand forward through new marketing, sales and brand innovation. Internationally distributed Stolichnaya Vodkas are bottled in Latvia and are known for award-winning flavor and impeccable clarity.

Considered a trailblazer in the Vodka industry, Stolichnaya Vodka defines the benchmark for quality with meticulously crafted liquid that meets the highest Alpha Spirit standard. The Stolichnaya brand portfolio includes Stolichnaya® Premium Vodka, ultra-premium elit™ by Stolichnaya®, Stolichnaya®100 Proof Premium Vodka, the super-premium Stolichnaya® Gold and Stolichnaya® Flavoured Premium Vodkas including Ohranj®, Razberi®, Bluberi® Vanil®, Citros™, Peachik® and Hot™.


For more information visit www.stoli.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stoli, Twitter
@Stoli and Instagram @Stoli.

HAWAIIAN HOST BRINGS PARADISE TO NORTH AMERICA’s DUTY FREE STORES

An Exciting Assortment for Duty Free

Hawaiian Host®, Inc., the world’s leading brand and producer of chocolate covered macadamia nuts, is excited to bring three of its favourite flavours into one attractive package. Its new Paradise DelightsTM  featuring individually wrapped treasures that include Hawaiian Host creamy Alohamac™Milk, decadent Alohamac™ Dark, and smooth Maui Caramacs®, will be introduced to buyers at the Duty Free Show of the Americas (Chase International, Booth 1111).

“Our brand has been synonymous with gifting for well over 85 years. We are continuing that tradition, but with individually wrapped pieces to add a level of convenience for our loyal customers,” says Hawaiian Host, Inc. Sales Manager, Daniel Verduzco. This product will be distributed in the North America duty free channel by CHASE International, and will be available by August 2016.

About Hawaiian Host
Hawaiian Host®, Inc. is the manufacturer of Hawai‘i’s original chocolate covered macadamias. Mamoru Takitani purchased Ellen Dye Candies, a local confectioner since 1927, and renamed the company Hawaiian Host®. The secret chocolate recipe developed by Mamoru Takitani using fresh 100 percent whole milk is still used today. Today, Hawaiian Host® boasts more than 250 confectionery products sold in more than 23 countries across the globe. Its corporate headquarters is located at 500 Alakawa Street in Honolulu. For more information, please visit www.hawaiianhost.com, like the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HawaiianHostInc or follow them on Twitter @HawaiianHostInc. Genuine. Classic. Original. ®