Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 19 No. 27

The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.

 

As the new year progresses, some major personnel changes are taking place in the travel retail channel.

 

It is with sadness that we learn that Andreas Fehr is retiring from Mondelez World Travel Retail after 24 years. Andreas was one of the very first people I worked with when I joined the industry and I wish him a very enjoyable and well-deserved retirement! The very capable Jaya Singh – who himself has been with the company for 25 years –will be stepping into Andreas’ shoes, so the transition should be exceedingly smooth. Full story on page 3.

 

In more personnel changes, Godiva has restructured its Travel Retail division in order to take advantage of opportunities presented in alternative retail channels, and Leen Baeten is returning from the U.S. to Europe to head up the new Channels Department. See page 3 for more changes at Godiva.

 

The Estée Lauder Companies has tapped two “industry disruptors” for key retail and brand roles, one of whom will be reporting to Olivier Bottrie, Global President, Travel Retail and Retail Development. Details on page 4.

 

 

 

AT THE AIRPORT

 

In our lead story of the week, ACI reports that global passenger traffic grew above historical averages in 2017, in spite of looming concerns over protectionists and geopolitical tensions. Page 1.

 

In airport retail news, Fraport USA lands the New York – JFK concession contract at JetBlue’s Terminal 5 – a big win for the former AIRMALL team. Page 2.

 

Iconic New York toy store FAO Schwarz-which closed in 2015, is back after being acquired by the ThreeSixty Group Inc. The toy brand has announced plans for global expansion, China, and an exclusive agreement with the Hudson Group to open in airports across the U.S. and Canada. Page 2.

 

 

 

SUPPLY SIDE NEWS

 

With the Summit of the Americas slightly more than a week away, there are many developments taking place.

 

Rituals Cosmetics has tapped Miami-based Essence Corp. to help it expand into the travel retail markets of the U.S., Canada, LATAM, the Caribbean and the luxury cruise channel. Page 1.

 

 

Christian Louboutin and Puig partner for global growth of the iconic shoe maker’s high-end beauty business. Page 4.

 

Swiss brand Victorinox – maker of the unique “Original Swiss Army Knife,” has signed a three-year contract to supply “multifunctional” amenity kits for SWISS airlines business class passengers. Story on page 5.

 

Specialist eyewear manufacturer B+D has partnered with International Brand Builders Inc (IBBI) to expand its distribution throughout North America. They will be exhibiting in Orlando at Booth #930.

 

Buckley London is also returning to the Duty Free & Travel Retail summit of the Americas and will be showing its first ever men’s collection of jewelry, as well as jewelry inspired by the engagement ring given to Meghan Markle by Prince Harry. They are exhibiting at Booth #1131.

 

 

 

The big news out of the Caribbean is that Panama-based Top Brands International is entering the St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands market with the duty free concession at the historic A.H.Riise Mall, where it will be opening five stores in April. The timing may be opportune, according to Filippo Cassinelli, one of the owners of the Mall, since significant infrastructure developments are now underway on St. Thomas. Read full story on page 1.

Underlining the confidence that retailers have in the island, Rouge Duty Free also opened a new and expanded 1,200 sq. ft. perfumery store on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront on Dec. 20.
TMI had the opportunity to attend the 2018 SeaTrade Global event earlier this month (see full coverage in the TMI Summit of the Americas magazine available at the show) but among the news unveiled were the plans for a new 166,000 sq. ft. dedicated terminal being built at PortMiami for Norwegian Cruise Lines. See page 4.

 

In related news, please  click here to read about Starboard Cruise’s innovative new retail concepts on four new cruise ships in 2018 as President and CEO Beth Neumann describes the new Retail Reality at Sea.

 

 

SUPPLY SIDE NEWS 

COUNTDOWN TO ORLANDO

 

ALFA Brands has added three new lines to its product portfolio that it will be showing in Orlando, along with a special 25th Anniversary Collection of wines from Pillitteri Estates. See them at Booth #526. Page 3.

 

Altimetre has just signed a distribution contract for a very cool and young French beauty brand called “Merci Handy,” which is proving to be a great success wherever it is listed in Europe. Booth #423. Page 3.

 

Marie Brizard Wines & Spirits is now represented in the U.S. and Caribbean Duty Free markets by Chase International and is poised for major expansion in 2017 for all of its brands, says MBWS Global Travel Retail Director Kevin Baker. Booth #1215   Story on page 4.
Halewood Wine & Spirits will be showcasing new flavors of its hot-selling Whitley Neill Handcrafted Dry Gin, and the small batch spice rum brand with the intriguing name of Dead Man’s Fingers, which the company has added to the portfolio. See them both at the Haleybrooke International stand, #207/#208. Story on page 4.