Travel retail tech brand Bitmore underlines sustainability focus with achievement of coveted B-Corp status

Consumer technology and accessories brand Bitmore has become one of the first travel retail-focused businesses to achieve the prestigious B Corporation (B-Corp) certification after a rigorous preparation and assessment process conducted over 20 months. 

 

B-Corp is a third-party standard requiring companies to meet social sustainability, environmental performance and accountability standards, and be transparent to the public according to the score they receive on the assessment. The movement aims to shift the behaviour, structure and culture of capitalism to focus on the ecological needs of the planet. 

 

Only just over 6,000 companies across the world have so far achieved the coveted B-Corp status across more than 80 countries from more than 100,000 applicants, underlining the difficulty of achieving the certification.  

 

Bitmore’s naturally sustainable tech range includes over 35 SKUs, including power banks, speakers, earphones and charging devices. The brand uses environmentally-friendly materials such as recycled TPE, plastic and wheat straw materials in its products.  

 

In total, the process for Bitmore to achieve B-Corp certification took around 20 months. That included eight months to complete the B-Corp assessment, which included implementing new environmentally-friendly procedures and working practices, as well as setting up an internal legal framework. It then took a further 12 months for B-Corp to do Bitmore’s review and final assessment before the certification award. 

 

The process required Bitmore to initially take a bird’s eye look at the business, and how it operates in the context of governance, community, environment, workforce and customers. These areas were then set against the objectives outlined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, so the process was very detailed, with evidence required to support the assessment.   

 

Achieving B-Corp is the pinnacle of a shift in emphasis by Bitmore at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to become a sustainable eco-friendly business and brand. 

 

Bitmore CEO Hoj Parmar explained the background for this change in direction: “It was a bit of a moment or realisation for me that I remember very clearly during the pandemic that started our journey towards sustainability and B-Corp.  

 

“The whole world was in simultaneous lockdown in early 2020, and whilst watching the news one evening, there was a segment on how the Himalayas (more than 500 miles away) could now be seen from a town in the Northwest state of Punjab in India, where previously due to low clouds, smog and pollution, they had not been visible in living memory.  

 

“This was a time when globally, in sync, industries were closed, and there was virtually no transport on our roads, skies or seas. This proved that in a very short space of time, things can change, and the planet can heal itself. 

“It was at this point I realised as a business, we could also make a difference, and it would be the right thing to do. We started to fast track everything in terms of product development and move towards becoming a more sustainable and eco-friendly brand.” 

 

On the progression to B-Corp status he added: “We made the decision to go for B-Corp certification in 2021 because of its all-encapsulating business framework when it comes to meeting standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.  

 

“It helps us to keep these things at the forefront of our day-to-day business and will ensure that Bitmore will have an ever-evolving sustainable strategy, which will always link back to our product development with a view to pushing our sustainability agenda at all times.” 

 

Bitmore will have to re-certify to B-Corp status every 36 months. “B-Corp is continually reviewing and updating the terms of B-Corp membership, so for us it’s an ongoing process of review, and then updating our working practices to ensure we comply,” said Parmar. “We have created an internal role for this to make sure we do not fall behind in any way.” 

 

Parmar is now urging other businesses in travel retail to follow the B-Corp path. He said: “Businesses can all make a positive difference if we choose to and business should be used as a force for good. We are still a commercial business at the end of the day, and profit is also a key driver for us.  

 

“But you can be a profitable business with an ethical viewpoint and a matching purpose behind your business. The reality is this is how 21st century businesses need to operate to ensure the safety and prosperity of future generations. I highly recommended the pursuit of B-Corp status, which will ensure any brand or business is doing its bit towards the sustainable world I think we would all like to see.” 

GLENFIDDICH PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON GRAND YOZAKURA AT TAIWAN TAOYUAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

William Grant & Sons has unveiled its ground-breaking digital art experience activation, created to support the release of Glenfiddich’s Grand Yozakura 29 Year Old scotch whisky, at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport – the hero travel retail location for this limited edition launch and campaign. In partnership with Ever Rich Duty Free, the installation is running from 2nd June until 31st August.

Grand Yozakura is a unique fusion of the finest flavours from Scotland and Japan. The introduction of this latest limited release from the prestigious Glenfiddich Grand Series celebrates the fleeting beauty of Hanami, Japan’s renowned “cherry blossom festival”.

Taoyuan Airport’s Grand Yozakura activation has been designed to take centre stage in the T1 Departure North  outpost, a position that enjoys high traffic and superior visibility. The installation incorporates a full concourse store, plus additional gondola. An eye-catching back wall includes a digital screen that showcases different works of art by Japanese artist, director and designer, Fantasista ‘Uta’ Utamaro, which portray the cherry blossoms illuminated at night. In addition, VR sets are available to allow passengers to fully immerse themselves in a one-of-a-kind virtual gallery, that also features exclusive behind-the-scenes-videos with Uta.

Reflecting its namesake and the temporal nature of the beauty it pays tribute to, only a limited number of Grand Yozakura bottles are available globally. Within travel retail, the release is available at only a handful of key strategic airports, for a limited time only.

The whisky packaging includes a bespoke topper and traditional poem printed onto each specially designed outer. To further enhance purchases, the Taoyuan activation will also offer a special traditional Japanese ‘furoshiki’ gift-wrapping ritual to travelling consumers. It will also provide an opportunity for passengers to explore the other releases within Glenfiddich’s ground-breaking Grand Series collection.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Ever Rich Duty Free to showcase our Grand Yozakura whisky at this key travel retail location,” commented William Grant & Sons Managing Director Global Travel Retail David Wilson. “As the first single malt scotch whisky to be finished in Japanese ex-Awamori casks, this exceptional liquid has an unforgettable taste – and we have created an equally memorable digital art activation to support it.

“The innovative, immersive installation delivers an exceptional shopping experience for this region’s discerning and knowledgeable travellers. This limited edition release, and its corresponding marketing campaign, is yet another example of Glenfiddich’s commitment to innovating strongly within the single malt category, to drive excitement and further satisfy the strong consumer demand in Asia.”

“We are pleased and proud to partner with William Grant & Sons on this flagship installation for Glenfiddich’s Grand Yozakura 29 Year Old scotch whisky,” commented Ever Rich Duty Free Vice President Patricia Wang.. “We have worked hard to create a distinctive activation that does justice to this exceptional release, and we are confident that our discerning passengers will appreciate the opportunity to discover this sought-after bottling.”

Nestlé and Dufry partner to embrace health and wellness with GTR exclusive launch of Solgar range for travellers

Nestle International Travel Retail and Dufry have partnered with Nestle Health Science to deliver a GTR first with the trial of the Solgar Health and Wellness brand in Dufry’s new shop-in-shop retail concept, Mind. Body. Soul.

In a significant step forward in Nestlé International Travel Retail’s ambition to provide air travelers with high quality food and introduce health and wellness options, the partners will offer a range of vitamins, minerals, herbals and supplements (VMHS) to travellers. The six-month trial kicked off last month (April) at Zurich and Athens airports, two of Dufry’s 20 global innovation stores used to test-run new projects.

The trial – featuring Solgar, a leading VMHS brand – is the result of  m1nd-set research in 2022 that identified health and wellness products as a growth opportunity, appealing to almost 50% of travellers across all key demographics. With consumers keen to address the impact of travel on health, VMHS products are seen as offering vital emotional, physical, and mental support when leaving the ‘comfort zone’ of familiar surroundings.

“There is compelling evidence that VMHS products can offer huge support and benefits for travellers,” says Nestlé Global Marketing Manager Aura Sanchez. “These range from supporting immunity and the digestive system when visiting different countries to helping with sleep issues, balancing and boosting energy levels, and maintaining nutritional balance during dietary changes.” 

The Solgar brand is the result of over 75 years of commitment to quality, health and well-being. The ‘gold standard’ of VMHS products, the brand offers more than 300 products in over 60 countries globally. “Trusted by millions of consumers worldwide, Solgar was the obvious choice for this trial,” continues Sanchez. The initial range has been selected to meet the needs of the travelling consumer as defined by the m1nd-set research and includes products for immunity, energy, sleep, and daily well-being. It includes best selling formulas such as the award-winning multivitamin Formula VM-2000 and trademarked advanced formula Ester C Plus Immune Complex.

Working in close collaboration with Dufry, merchandising has been created to highlight differing need-states making selection easy for the consumer. A digital product selector tool has been built into the merchandising unit which informs and guides the consumer to making the right choice for their specific needs such as supporting sleep and energy levels. 

Displayed within the Mind.Body.Soul. section of Dufry stores, the trial started at Level 1, Zurich Airport on April 11th and the Extra-Shengen terminal, Athens airport on April 30th.

Commenting on behalf of Dufry Phrederika Miltiadou, [Global Category Manager - Food] says, “Dufry works closely with its brand partners, constantly seeking to implement innovation that meets the changing needs and wants of the global travel retail shopper.  Our alignment with the Nestle V.E.R.S.E. model to drive growth in the wider food category, recruiting new consumers, and delighting our existing loyal customers has allowed us to partner on a number of initiatives beginning with Coffee in travel retail last year. This year, as part of our aim to deliver a Health and Well-being range, including vitamins, minerals, herbals and supplements, we have benefitted from Nestle Health Science division’s in-depth category knowledge, which has helped us to deliver a comprehensive range of products that address key traveller need states. We are currently trialing this in both our core duty free store in Athens, and our pioneering Mind. Body. Soul. concept at Zurich airport, and the retail executions by our store teams in both these locations have been exceptional.”

While Solgar is the first brand to be trialled, the Nestlé portfolio includes a range of leading global brands such as Vital Proteins, Garden of Life, and Natures Bounty, all of which are seen as offering significant potential for the travel retail channel. 

“Since its foundation in 2011, Nestlé Health Science has always been committed to help people live their healthiest lives,” says Andrea Traficante, Head of Business Intelligence, VMHS International. “When the opportunity to enter in a new channel partnering with NITR and Dufry arose, we immediately saw that as the perfect addition to our presence. Solgar will be the first of Nestlé Health Science’s VMHS brands to be available to airport passengers in Zurich and Athens, however we are confident that in the future, more of our globally-trusted brands will play a pivotal role in the wellness journey of airport passengers from around the world.”

“At Nestlé ITR we are committed to identifying these market opportunities and working with our retail partners to meet travellers’ needs and in so doing, further drive industry growth,” continues Aura Sanchez. “With leading travel experience player, Dufry, we have a shared ambition to build the wider food category within travel retail and we have enjoyed developing our partnership further with this VMHS project. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and are confident that this is just the start of a new growth sector for our channel.”

As previously announced, the VMHS strategy will be delivered through the VERSE model, which harnesses Value, Engagement, Regeneration, Sense of Place and Execution.

Women in Travel Retail+ announces next networking event in London

Women in Travel Retail+ is delighted to announce another exclusive networking event hosted by Joe & The Juice and the Blueprint Partnership – open to all WiTR+ members and friends.

The event will be held at the Joe & The Juice London store (8, Berkeley Street) on the 30th of June from 1700-1930, where attendees can enjoy a delicious range of pastries and non-alcoholic cocktails and juices.

Sarah Branquinho, WiTR+ Chair, says: “Many thanks to Joe & the Juice and the Blueprint Partnership for their support of WiTR+. Our last event in London was a great success and we look forward to another fun and productive evening.”

Places are limited to 50 so please RSVP to Gerry Munday at gerrymunday2811@gmail.com by 16 June at the latest to secure your place.

Elizabeth Arden underlines GTR ambitions and unveils new Ceramide travel retail exclusive

Following the successful financial restructuring of its parent company Revlon – and its subsequent exit from Chapter 11 earlier this year – Elizabeth Arden has reconfirmed its commitment to the global travel retail channel. In line with the aspirations this new business chapter brings, the company has put in place an exciting pipeline of product innovation. The first major new launch is the Ceramide 3 x 7 Capsules Tin travel retail exclusive, which began rolling out to European airports as of May 2023.

“I’m proud to say that we are emerging as a stronger company that is well positioned for long-term growth,” noted Revlon President and CEO Debra Perelman, referencing the group’s emergence from Chapter 11. “With a simplified capital structure, significantly reduced debt, and a new, highly experienced and committed Board of Directors, we look forward to unlocking the full potential of our globally recognised brands and continuing to offer our customers the iconic products they have loved for decades.”

The power of three

The new, refillable Ceramide 3 x 7 Capsules Tin features three different types of Elizabeth Arden’s signature, single-dose Ceramide Capsules, which are ideal for travel. Pre-measured, portable and TSA-approved, these capsules take the guesswork out of skincare application, and are encapsulated to keep the active ingredients within potent and fresh, while being preservative-free. There are seven separate doses of each Capsule type, making this tin perfect for holidays, business trips, or for trialling the Ceramide collection.

The Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules combine super-hydrating hyaluronic acid with protective, skin-strengthening ceramides, to visibly plump, firm and hydrate skin. Advanced Ceramide Capsules Youth Restoring Serum feature a triple-powered anti-ageing formula that fortifies the skin’s barrier repair function; boosts moisturisation levels; and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The Line Erasing Night Serum Retinol Ceramide Capsules complete the tin trinity. This targeted night-time treatment pairs the power of retinol with ceramides to visibly diminish lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture and tone, while preventing harshness and dehydration.

All three types of Ceramide Capsules are biodegradable, clinically and dermatologist-tested, and suitable for all skin types.

“We are known for our iconic Ceramide Skincare, with five capsules sold every second,” noted Céline Moittié, Elizabeth Arden Marketing Director EUTR. “We are confident that this reusable, travel-friendly tin, with a very accessible RRP of under €20, will appeal not only to existing consumers, but offer an extremely attractive way for new customers to discover our premium Ceramide skincare collection too.”

THÉLIOS UNVEILS ITS NEW VISUAL IDENTITY

Thélios unveiled its new visual identity during its Convention in Rome, while presenting the Fall 2023 collections of its Houses, Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Kenzo and Fred.

Born in 2017 from LVMH's desire to make eyewear an essential element of the Houses' collections, Thélios entered a new phase of its development and aimed to mark this moment through a redesign of its brand identity.

The new identity has been meticulously crafted to express the values and raison d'être of Thélios: to pioneer a new experience in luxury eyewear, raising the standards of the industry.

This development took concrete form with the introduction of a new logo, of which the baseline – “LVMH Eyewear Excellence” – is a key element. The logo expresses a timeless elegance: minimalist yet statutory, the proportions are well balanced and the accent on the “e” has been simplified with an elegant horizontal line. The 'o' also stands out, as the circular shape of the letter symbolizes an eye and the sun – a nod to the mythological origin of the name Thélios, derived from Theia, goddess of light and vision, and Helios, god of sun - but also a reference to the complete cycle of its value chain going from creation, through production to distribution.

Ricola cooks up live confectionery activations at Zurich Airport

Earlier this month, Swiss confectionery specialist Ricola staged a series of live demonstrations of how its famous herbal sweets are made at Zurich Airport, in partnership with Dufry and Zurich Airport.

The popular activations which took place on four consecutive weekends were held airside on Level 1, in front of Dufry’s main duty-free store, as part of the location’s high-profile Best of Switzerland campaign.

In addition to observing the hand-made production methods, travellers were invited to sample the Ricola portfolio. A special “buy 2, get 1 free” promotion was created to support the activity and further drive sales.

“This is the first time we have held our candy cooking event at Zurich, and we are absolutely thrilled with the passenger response – and the sales results,” noted Andreas Reckart, Vice President Sales Middle East & Travel Retail for Ricola AG.

“European travel retail continues to perform strongly, boosted by increased airport traffic. These live demonstrations exemplify the type of appealing retail experience we are committed to providing, and created a wonderful opportunity to attract and engage with travellers in a busy airport environment.”

He added: “Our on-site ‘herb field’ helped passengers to immerse themselves in the Ricola universe, from herb to candy, and also emphasised our nature-friendly positioning. 

“We were delighted to partner with Zurich Airport and Dufry to showcase this innovative discovery experience – and promote our Swiss heritage – in our home market of Switzerland.”

Philippe Moryl, Global Category Head - Confectionery, Food, Souvenirs & Toys at Dufry said: “We asked Ricola to push the boundaries and they did it, delighting our customers at Zurich airport. Despite all the technical challenges related to the implementation of such activations in the airside zone of an airport, we found a solution to make it happen. This is a great example of what we can achieve when brand partners, airport partners and retailers are working in close collaboration and partnership. It is a fantastic and innovative way to engage with customers, promoting Ricola’s great products, values and expertise. It allows as well to speak about ESG commitments that became so important for our companies and our customers. Thank you to Ricola’s team, to Zurich airport commercial team and to Dufry local team for their great team work.”