News

02/072020

“A unique experience” – Virtual Travel Retail Expo boosted by new wave of exhibitor sign-ups

INTERNATIONAL. As momentum continues to build behind the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo, more multinational brand houses and smaller independents continue to sign up as exhibitors.

The latest top-class brand companies include leading fashion houses Ermenegildo Zegna and Furla, Cuban cigar powerhouse Habanos, Italian wine company Masi Agricola, global drinks group International Beverage, Russian Standard vodka owner Roust and industry consultancy Blue. More will be announced in coming days.

As reported, the unique five-day ‘live’ Expo takes place on 12-16 October, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register). It features a star-studded series of activities, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

“The coffee can wait while the recovery of our travel retail business cannot. At no point in the last 70 years has this troubled world been in greater need of joy” – Haribo Head of Marketing Travel Retail Elisa Fontana

Qatar Duty Free this week became one of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo’s three Diamond Partners, alongside China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group

Exhibitor partners small and large are being drawn by the combination of a top-quality digital showcase offering multiple interactive touchpoints and unlimited brand information display. There is a dedicated Expo and Media support package for all brands. A stellar visitor audience comprising travel retail and airport executives is promised. Companies that have not yet signed up for what will be the defining travel retail event of 2020 still have the opportunity to join them (see below).

Recently confirmed partners have delivered strong, positive reaction to the event; we feature a selection of their comments here.

Representing Cuban cigar manufacturer Habanos, Co-Presidents Inocente Núñez Blanco and Luis Sánchez Harguindey Pardo de Vera said: “We are delighted to signal our participation in this inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, which is going to be a fantastic experience. We would like to express our deep gratitude to The Moodie Davitt Report for their support and understanding of the burgeoning importance of the travel retail channel.

“Good partnership always ensures success for both brand owners and operators, and in this way Habanos is eager to live the unique experience of this year’s exhilarating Virtual Travel Retail Expo, which will surely excite all participants.”

For exhibitors the event offers a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, with each curated to clients’ requirements by Virtual Stand & Experience Partner, FILTR

As Haribo joins a strong list of confectionery players at the Expo, Head of Marketing Travel Retail Elisa Fontana said: “At Haribo we are looking forward immensely to participating in the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and to showcasing our portfolio of travel-exclusive sugar confectionery. Although, naturally, we would have preferred to sit down with existing and potential partners and discuss business over a coffee, we are delighted to have the opportunity to meet virtually through this exciting new digital forum.

“The coffee can wait while the recovery of our travel retail business cannot. At no point in the last 70 years has this troubled world been in greater need of joy; we are pleased to propose some moments of pleasure from the “Happy World of Haribo”.

Campari Group has joined a growing list of drinks houses, both multinationals and smaller independents. Global GTR Director (Marketing & Trade Marketing) Bianca Sansone hailed “a great initiative to virtually connect and be prepared for the restart of our resilient channel and industry. The entire Campari Travel Retail team will be proud to invite you to experience our beloved brands and to share a virtual toast together in this first-ever Virtual Travel Retail Expo.”

Schlumberger Global Travel Retail Director Warren Goslett said: “We are excited to participate in the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, which affords us a fantastic and innovative opportunity in these times of crisis to showcase our brands and connect with our customers.”

All brand partners at the Virtual Expo will benefit from:

*Unrivalled visibility at the defining travel retail industry event in 2020

*The opportunity to exhibit to a powerhouse visitor audience that includes the world’s leading travel retailers, across all channels

*A high-quality digital experience

*A range of pricing options to suit all budgets

*In-depth visitor analytics for the entire period

*A dedicated support package that includes complimentary Expo Guide advertising

*Strong editorial support up to and during the event through The Moodie Davitt Report, our other Preferred Media Partners (who will be able to showcase their digital publications in the official Press Centre) and visiting KOLs.

*Access to the event’s Knowledge Hub, featuring a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

“Every exhibitor – Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond – will receive the same level of account management from FILTR, unrivalled media visibility via travel retail’s leading title and a sense of partnership from sign-on until the completion of the Expo,” said The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt.

To find out more about what the Virtual Travel Retail Expo can do for your brand, and for details of our dedicated support packages, contact Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com or Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com

01/072020

Delivering “a whole new ecosystem” – Platinum Partner AOE promises to take omnichannel platform to a new level at Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

INTERNATIONAL. AOE has become a Platinum Partner for the pioneering Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, an exciting addition to a stellar list of exhibitors across multiple categories.

Embracing the tagline “Passionate agile minds thinking digital”, AOE has become the leading developer of digital ecommerce platform solutions in the aviation and travel retail sphere. AOE’s OM³ digital marketplace has been the chosen platform for numerous successful airport and retailer forays into omnichannel retailing, including Heathrow Boutique, The Mall (Auckland Airport) and KrisShop.com, the Singapore Airlines, 3Sixty Duty Free and SATS joint venture.

The company serves as a global technology service provider and consultancy, supporting enterprises in their strategic decisions and digital transformation processes.

“AOE has made a name for building benchmark omnichannel ecommerce marketplaces for airports and airlines around the world,” said AOE Founder & CEO Kian Gould.

“At the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, we plan to expand that omnichannel platform to a new level. As such, AOE’s ground-breaking Virtual Expo showcase will not be limited to talking the future of digital travel retail. It will encompass – and unveil – a whole new ecosystem, featuring a range of fundamentally interlinked partners, brands, technologies and, of course, travelling consumers to transform the travel retail channel.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Ever since it burst on the aviation and travel retail scene, AOE has been a thought leader and positive disruptor. Kian’s long-held views on the urgent need for airlines, airports and retailers to digitalise their retail offerings in a coherent ecosystem have been born out by what has happened during the COVID-19 crisis, where ecommerce – where it exists meaningfully – has been one of the few shining lights.

“Having spoken to Kian and his colleagues about the evolving industry landscape, I know that what AOE will be showing at our Virtual Travel Retail Expo will live up to the promised billing of delivering and championing a whole new ecosystem. I am confident that both his presentation in the Expo Knowledge Hub and AOE’s Virtual Stand will go down as a redefining moment in our industry’s evolution.”

[Click on the YouTube icon to listen to Kian Gould talk to Martin Moodie last October in Cannes about the company’s digital and omnichannel journey]

[Last October, industry filmmaker and blogger Peter Marshall of TRUnblocked interviewed AOE’s newly hired Head of Airline Solutions Michael Raasch. The much-respected Raasch joined AOE from LSG Group, where he had served as Head of Consulting. Click on the YouTube icon to view.]

Note: The travel retail industry has leant tremendous support to the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo with new exhibitors being named each week and several major announcements to be made in coming days. If you would like to exhibit please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com. Airport executives and all travel retailers can register for free here.

01/072020

Qatar Duty Free becomes a Diamond Partner for Virtual Travel Retail Expo; set to showcase “defining” Hamad International Airport expansion project

News

QATAR. Qatar Duty Free has become a Diamond Partner for the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo set to take place this October.

The multiple award-winning travel retailer plans to use the event to showcase Hamad International Airport’s exciting expansion project. Excitingly, Qatar Duty Free will present for the first time a range of the new retail and food & beverage concepts that the development will embrace. It will also unveil a world-first travel retail initiative, the subject of an exclusive announcement in coming days.

Qatar Duty Free becomes one of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo’s three Diamond Partners, alongside China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group

Hamad International Airport (HIA) Chief Operating Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said: “The aviation sector and the world at large have been experiencing some of their toughest moments in history. The COVID-19 outbreak brought with it a set of unprecedented challenges and accelerated the transformation into a phygital world. Being at the forefront of this transformation, Moodie Davitt’s first Virtual Travel Retail Expo is a chance to turn the current pandemic into an opportunity for global airports.

“As a Diamond Partner of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) is ready to unveil some of our new and exciting retail concepts and also Hamad International Airport’s expansion project that will increase the airport’s capacity to more than 53 million passengers annually, ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said that the investment in the Virtual Travel Retail Expo illustrated an unswerving commitment to the travel retail channel that has been manifested throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

“At the onset of the outbreak, HIA and Qatar Duty Free (QDF) had joined hands to implement precautionary measures, to ensure passenger and staff safety,” he said. “Physical distancing, strict cleaning methods, hand washing, and regular use of masks, gloves and sanitizers were some of the mandatory steps that were put in place. However, QDF continued to accelerate key projects amidst the pandemic, to welcome back passengers with a brand-new shopping experience.”

Global force: When Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Akbar Al Baker assumed his current role, Qatar Airways operated just four aircraft in a regional capacity. Today it serves all six continents and ranks as the world’s fastest-growing airline. During the COVID-19 crisis it has flown more miles than any other carrier. [Picture: Qatar Airways]

Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh said: “Qatar Duty Free is very proud to be a Diamond Partner of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. While current circumstances have meant that it is not possible for us to meet physically, we are excited to bring the whole team to this innovative new way of coming together.

“On behalf of everyone at Qatar Duty Free, we look forward to welcoming all our brand partners and colleagues from across the globe to this amazing event.”

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Akbar Al Baker and The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie at Qatar Airways headquarters in Doha

Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer joins Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, perhaps the most prominent personality in the global aviation industry, in spearheading an unprecedentedly powerful line-up of presenters in the ‘Knowledge Hub’ at the Expo. Click on the image to view the full line-up, to access comprehensive information about the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, and to register.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free represent the ultimate sector Trinity, these three interlinked travel sector stakeholders acting in unison to benefit the most important industry stakeholder, the consumer. Throughout the darkness of the COVID-19 crisis, that Trinity has continued to shine.

“So we are thrilled to continue our partnership that found such wonderful voice at the Trinity Forum in Doha last October*. We’re equally delighted that our event will serve as a global showcase for what promises to be Hamad International Airport’s defining expansion project, which includes a number of world firsts. And as you would expect from a Trinity of this stature and vision, they plan something extra special for this pioneering Expo. Watch this space.”

*Hamad International previewed its multi-phased airport expansion plan in 2019 at The Trinity Forum in October which the airport company successfully co-hosted with Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free.

Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free show leadership and compassion in crisis

Qatar Airways has shown its stature, capabilities and compassion to impressive effect during the COVID-19 crisis, maintaining flights all over the world in its mission to get people home. The airline has successfully flown over one million passengers home — on both scheduled and chartered flights — and transported 70,000 tonnes of medical supplies amid the COVID-19 global health emergency.

The Qatar Airways super heroes who will bring you home

Take a moment to watch and listen to the beautiful tribute below from Qatar Airways to its cabin crew.

The airline prefaces the film by saying: “We are so proud of QatarAirways’ cabin crew who are continuing to serve in the midst of this challenging time, just knowing that it will make a difference to somebody out there.” #TakingYouHome

Let us quote you the words of one of the cabin crew interviewed on the short film. It tells its own beautiful story. She says simply, “We will bring you home.”

30/062020

Philip Morris International becomes Platinum Partner of Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Philip Morris International (PMI) is promising a highly innovative approach to its presence at the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, where it will focus on its successful reduced-risk products (RRPs).

PMI Duty Free Vice President Edvinas Katilius said: “We are delighted to partner with Moodie Davitt and their first-ever Virtual Travel Retail Expo. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for travel retail to embrace new digital formats as we adapt our business to the post COVID-19 world.”

PMI has enjoyed impressive success with its RRP portfolio in recent times, led by the best-selling IQOS. The company’s stated aim is that by 2025 at least 40 million of its cigarette smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke will have switched to smoke-free products, and that at least 30% of its total shipment volumes will come from smoke-free products.

(Above and below) Last December, Philip Morris International launched a travel-exclusive edition of its new IQOS 3 DUO at duty free locations in Japan (Kansai International pictured below), South Korea and Dubai

PMI has invested over ten years and US$6 billion in the scientific research, development and commercialisation of its growing portfolio of advanced smoke-free products.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie welcomed PMI’s partnership, saying: “Any successful event of this nature needs industry leaders and innovators, and few sector players capture those qualities as well as PMI. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of tracking the IQOS story in particular. In 2018 I visited the Cube, the company’s extraordinary research and development centre, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and was amazed by both the ambition and the science on display.

Click here to view The Moodie Davitt e-Zine from September 2018, which featured an on-location report from the Cube in Neuchâtel

Philip Morris International Chief Executive Officer André Calantzopoulos introduces Japan and the world to the latest IQOS products during a spectacular launch in Tokyo in late 2018

“Similarly, in October 2018, I was honoured to attend the launch of the ‘next generation’ IQOS products during a spectacular event at Tokyo’s renowned Happō-en. There I witnessed first-hand the impact of the heat-not-burn concept and device at a launch that was as classy as any I have attended in over three decades of covering this business – including numerous big beauty, fashion and retail introductions. I know that PMI is going to bring that same wow factor to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, while also helping to point the way forward for our channel.”

Inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo gains rapid momentum

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted tremendous support from retailers, brands and airports with a strong of further major announcements to be made in coming days. For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, complimentary Expo Guide advertising, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community.

Through the power of our own media and that of other Preferred Media Partners (who will be able to showcase their digital publications in the official Press Centre) and visiting KOLs, The Moodie Davitt Report will also ensure outstanding global exposure for all exhibitor partners.

26/062020

RegStaer and KrisShop buyers become first Virtual Travel Retail Expo Dubai Duty Free prize draw winners

News

UAE. Two travel retail executives are a step closer to winning US$1 million or a luxury car after the first Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo prize draws this morning in association with Dubai Duty Free.

As reported, the world’s biggest single airport travel retail business is offering registered Expo visitors multiple chances to win these grand prizes in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws. Every Friday between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, which begins on 12 October, all registered retailers, buyers and airport executives will have the chance to win a ticket for the two hugely-popular draws. Two further draws will be held during the Expo itself.

The first registrant to win a ticket in the Millennium Millionaire draw and be in with a chance of winning the ultimate prize of US$1 million in cash is RegStaer Head of Perfumes & Cosmetics Evgeniya Naumova.

Meanwhile, KrisShop Category Manager for Fashion Accessories, Jewellery and Watches Belinda Tan is going into the Finest Surprise draw to win a luxury car.

Each draw is conducted through a random name generator online.

[Important note: In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.]

All registered retailer, buyer and airport representatives go into the prize draws each week between now and the Expo

To register for The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw, please click here.

The Expo has attracted tremendous support from retailers, brands and airports with further major announcements to be made in the coming days. For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, complimentary Expo Guide advertising, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community.

Through the power of our own media and that of other Preferred Media Partners (who will be able to showcase their digital publications in the official Press Centre) and visiting KOLs, The Moodie Davitt Report will also ensure tremendous global exposure for all exhibitor partners.

Colm McLoughlin: “Delighted” to be a part of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo

Over the past 20 years, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion has changed the lives of 332 winners and their families. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 30th year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world.

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are delighted to be part of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and think that this is a great initiative for the industry.

“Martin and his team have been quick to embrace new technologies which will enable all of us to experience this Virtual Expo and Symposium, complete with product launches, live and recorded presentations, while keeping up to date with the issues facing our industry at this time. We are excited to be a part of it.”

26/062020

Small and independent brand houses seize on benefits of Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Many emerging, family- and independently-owned brand houses, some new to the channel, are seizing the chance to meet the world’s leading travel retailers and their buying teams at the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo on 12-16 October.

They are being drawn by the combination of a top-quality digital showcase offering multiple interactive touchpoints and unlimited brand information display, all combined in a dedicated Expo and Media support package for smaller brands. A stellar visitor audience comprising travel retail and airport executives is promised. Companies that have not yet signed up for what will be the defining travel retail event of 2020 still have the opportunity to join them (see below).

As reported, the unique five-day ‘live’ Expo, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) features a star-studded series of activities, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

The event offers a range of Virtual Stands at accessible price levels, each tailored to clients’ requirements

The list of smaller players and/or family and independently owned exhibitors includes Long Haul Spa, Baroque & Rose (beauty & wellness); Chase Distillery, Choya Umeshu, Loch Lomond Group, Walsh Whiskey, Lough Ree Distillery, Wild Tiger Beverages and Santa Margherita (spirits & wines); Camicissima, Diamanti per Tutti, Bravo Fashion and Happy Socks (fashion & accessories); Loacker, Butlers and Niederegger (confectionery); and Goodflow and Nuwave Channel Partners (multiple brands). More will be named shortly.

For exhibitors the event offers a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, with each tailored to clients’ requirements by our Virtual Stand & Experience Partner, FILTR.

All brand partners at the Virtual Expo will benefit from:

*Unrivalled visibility at the defining travel retail industry event in 2020

*The opportunity to exhibit to a powerhouse visitor audience that includes the world’s leading travel retailers, across all channels

*A high-quality digital experience

*A range of pricing options to suit all budgets

*In-depth visitor analytics for the entire period

*A dedicated support package that includes complimentary Expo Guide advertising

*Access to the event’s Knowledge Hub, featuring a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

Every exhibitor will receive dedicated account management, including curated stand design, from FILTR, with a partnership package that features powerful media visibility in the run-up to the Expo and during the event itself

25/062020

Wine O’Clock makes digital debut at Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Wine O’Clock, a Cannes show success story in 2019, is making a digital comeback at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

Wine O’Clock is co-hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report and integrated retail marketing agency FILTR. The event is designed to put the spotlight on the wine category and its burgeoning potential in travel retail. Brand owners representing several key wine-producing nations will participate in the event alongside leading retailers and a surprise guest. The event will feature an exclusive (virtual) tasting session of some outstanding wines.

Wine O’Clock will feature leading retailer and wine company speakers, who will discuss the future of the wine category in a post-pandemic travel retail landscape. The programme line-up will be announced in coming weeks.

The Moodie Davitt Report Virtual Expo has attracted the support of some of travel retail’s leading wine companies, and spirits groups with wine interests. They include Baron Philippe de Rothschild; Barton & Guestier; Campari Group; Château Loudenne (Camus); Duty Free Global (Taylors, Wakefield); Masi Agricola; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinocolo; Schlumberger; The SEVA Group; and Stoli Group with several others set to sign in coming days.

During the COVID-19 crisis, The Moodie Davitt Report has hosted a series of ‘Virtual Wine O’Clock’ sessions, uniting travel retail wine lovers from around the world during their respective lockdowns. The virtual events, held via Zoom, have so far majored on wines from Italy, Spain and New Zealand.

To discover more about exhibiting at the pioneering Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport. Retailers and airport executives registering for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo qualify for two weekly prize draws in association with Dubai Duty Free, offering the chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car each time. Please click here to register and here for information on the prize draws.

View this post on Instagram

The Moodie Davitt Report invites all industry wine lovers to a virtual travel retail wine hangout on Thursday 2 April at 6pm CET, dubbed Virtual Wine O’Clock. The virtual event, which will be conducted on a weekly basis throughout the crisis, is free to all. It will be conducted via Zoom and will feature special guests talking wine, love and life. A different host country will be chosen for each session – starting with Italy, home to some of the world’s greatest wines but currently being ravaged by the COVID-19 outbreak. Click the link in our bio for more information #VirtualWineoClock #TheMoodieDavittReport #travelretail #dutyfree #b2b

A post shared by The Moodie Davitt Report (@themoodiedavittreport) on Mar 30, 2020 at 10:20am PDT

24/062020

More brands embrace “forward-thinking format” at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Support continues to build for the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo with further brand exhibitors announced, from confectionery to spirits and from fashion to wellness. More will be announced shortly.

The unique 5-day ‘live’ Expo, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

The first-ever Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from brands across categories and from around the world

The SEVA Group underlines its ambitions to be a global top 20 travel retailer within five years by signing as a Diamond Partner. The group is keeping good company too, sitting alongside sector powerhouse, China Duty Free Group.

“Any successful trade show requires buyers and sellers and we’re glad to report a stellar line-up of famous brands as exhibitors, and commitments by the channel’s leading retailers to visit them,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie. “This is a premium show featuring premium players and we’re committed to delivering a game-changing event.”

Premium chocolate brand Lindt adds further lustre to an already strong line-up in the confectionery & food sector. Global Duty Free Head Peter Zehnder said: “We are happy to announce our participation in the first Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and are very much looking forward to the unique opportunities arising from such an innovative virtual format. This year, Lindt is celebrating 175 years of chocolate history and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone with our customers and the travel retail industry – virtually, but with an unwavering dedication to creating unique chocolate moments across the globe.”

Desigual Wholesale, DS & Travel Head Jackie Hernandez said that the Spanish fashion brand team is excited to take part “in this cutting-edge event”. She said: “Thank you Martin Moodie and the entire Moodie Davitt Report team for leading the way and keeping our industry connected. At Desigual, we fully embrace the opportunities that digitalisation brings, with determination and creativity to adapt to changes. We look forward to meeting our existing and potential partners in the upcoming Virtual Expo.”

A cutting-edge show for a new world: The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is free to attend for retailer and airport companies

Representing fast-growing wellness brand H&H Group, Global Travel Retail Manager Jose Vera said: “We’re delighted to be participating in this Virtual Expo. H&H Group is a health, wellness and personal care consumer goods company for people at all stages of life, from babies to the elderly, operating across 14 markets.

“We’re showcasing our Swisse vitamins and supplements brand, Biostime infant formula and children’s probiotics brand, and Aurelia Probiotic Skincare combining probiotics with luxury BioOrganic ingredients for adults, as well as Little Aurelia range for babies and children. Swisse was named China’s top ecommerce brand for healthcare and nutrition in 2019, and Biostime is the world’s number one pediatric probiotics brand.

“We’re currently partnering with Dufry, DFS, The Shilla Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free, Heinemann, China Duty Free Group, King Power Group, KrisShop, SkyShop and Smart’way, along with Shinsegae and Hyundai department stores, to name a few. We are looking forward to catching up with partners and meeting new people within the great travel retail community.”

Oribe Hair Care General Manager Sid Katari said: “We are proud to be a part of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo to connect with our global partners and offer a best-in-class experience for the travel retail consumer. We are constantly evolving to stay relevant and embrace this new forward-thinking format, which will allow us to share Oribe’s commitment to quality and performance through creative digital content.”

Independent Irish distillers Walsh Whiskey and Lough Ree Distillery have also signed up, bolstering the spirits & wines brand presence still further.

Walsh Whiskey Founder Bernard Walsh said: “Things have changed for now, but not changed utterly! We still need to engage with spirits buyers in a meaningful and qualitative way, but for now it needs to be virtual as well. Knowing the professionalism of the great team at Moodie Davitt, we can plan to do exactly that for our Writers’ Tears and The Irishman whiskey portfolios through The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.”

Michael Clancy, Co-Founder of Lough Ree Distillery, said he was excited to participate in the new Virtual Expo format. “There are no large face-to-face events this year where we have the opportunity to meet with our duty free and international partners. We see this very much as a means to continue existing conversations with a view to expanding our distribution footprint and showcase products like our multi award-winning Sling Shot Distilled Irish Gin and The Bridge Irish Whiskey to new partners across the globe. Having met with the Moodie Davitt team, we’ve been impressed by their boundless energy and commitment to the travel retail sector and we know this will be a ground-breaking event.”

As reported, China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event. Platinum Partners include Beam Suntory; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Parfums Christian Dior; Whyte & Mackay; Shiseido Travel Retail; Clarins; Duty Free Global, KrisShop, Puig, SK-II, JTI and Camus (Platinum-plus).

We’ll bring you more reaction soon, as well as news of more Platinum, Gold and Silver partnerships.

Note: For enquiries about exhibiting at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport. The event has already exceeded its original target and remaining positions are selling fast. Registration for retailers/buyers is free and each week up to and including the Expo itself, all registered retail representatives have the chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car via the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise prize draws. The first draw is this Friday.

Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo Partners List

22/062020

Dubai Duty Free offers Virtual Travel Retail Expo visitors the chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car

News

Dubai Duty Free is offering registered visitors to the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo a chance every week between now and the event to win US$1 million or a luxury car.

The world’s biggest single airport travel retail business has become a Platinum Partner of the pioneering event.

In a unique promotion, specially tailored for the event, Dubai Duty Free is hosting two prize draws every Friday between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, which begins on 12 October. Additional draws during the Expo.

All registered retailers/buyers will go into the draws each week, offering them the chance to win a ticket in Dubai Duty Free’s hugely successful Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws – where the respective ultimate prizes are US$1 million in cash or a luxury car.

Colm McLoughlin: “We are excited to be a part of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo”

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted tremendous support from retailers, brands and airports. To register for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and qualify for each prize draw from next Friday on, please click here. Registration is free for exhibitors, retailers/buyers and airports.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Dubai Duty Free has enjoyed great success with these two great promotions over the past few decades, a period in which it has been synonymous with sustained excellence, innovation and success. So we’re delighted to welcome Colm and his great organisation as a Platinum Partner, while simultaneously offering our registered retailer/buyer delegates the chance to win two incredible prizes each and every week through to the Expo’s completion.”

Who is that masked man? Well, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin, of course, pictured transforming three people’s lives via the Millennium Millionaire prize draw. Retailer representatives to the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo could soon be joining them.

The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 30th year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world

16/062020

“The innovation spirit”: Partners hail Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Support for the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo continues to grow as new partnerships are announced and as exhibitors highlight the role that the event will play in connecting the travel retail community this year.

Newly confirmed partners include French premium beauty house L’Occitane, powerful tobacco group Imperial Brands, Italian men’s fashionwear label Camicissima, consumer technology specialist Nuwave Channel Partners and Irish spirits company Walsh Whiskey.

“The entire travel retail team will be proud to share the amazing path achieved by Filorga over the last ten years, and we look forward to presenting to all the retailers around the world our future cutting-edge retail experience and to showcasing our novelties on our amazing virtual stand.” – Filorga Global Travel Retail Director Nicolas Rimeau

The first-ever Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from global brand houses to smaller independents

“We’re a resilient and innovative industry – something highlighted by how rapidly the Virtual Travel Retail Expo has been developed and embraced” – Rituals Travel Retail Director Neil Ebbutt

There has been strong, positive reaction to the event from across the industry; we feature a selection of comments from recently signed partners here:

Filorga Global Travel Retail Director Nicolas Rimeau said: “The Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo is an outstanding example of the much-needed innovation spirit that will demonstrate once again the incredible resilience and dynamism of the travel retail industry.

“Innovation has been at the core of Filorga’s DNA for over 40 years. We are thrilled, honoured and excited to be part of the first edition of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo as a Gold Partner. The entire travel retail team will be proud to share the amazing path achieved by Filorga over the last ten years, and we look forward to presenting to all the retailers around the world our future cutting-edge retail experience and to showcasing our novelties on our amazing virtual stand.”

Rituals Travel Retail Director Neil Ebbutt said: “The cancellation of physical events this year has clearly made connectivity a challenge, but we’re a resilient and innovative industry – something highlighted by how rapidly the Virtual Travel Retail Expo has been developed and embraced. For Rituals it will provide a platform to engage with existing and potential new partners around the globe by bringing our unique brand ethos to life in the digital domain.”

Victorinox Head of Travel Retail Thomas Bodenmann said: “Embracing digital platforms has long been recognised as vital to our industry’s future, so what better time to do this than the present, during such a crucial and challenging period? The travel retail team at Victorinox is looking forward to engaging with our partners at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, and playing our role in helping the industry come together and chart a road to recovery.”

The countdown to travel retail’s first Virtual Expo continues

“There is an exciting sense of innovation about the whole concept and the organisers are leaving no stone unturned to make this a landmark event for the travel retail sector. Virtual events will be important for business development, not just now, but, in my opinion, permanently.” – Nuwave Channel Partners CEO Hoj Parmar

Proximo Spirits Head of Global Travel Retail Roy Summers said: “Proximo Spirits are delighted to showcase our leading portfolio of tequila, Irish whiskey and rum brands in the first ever Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo. This opportunity allows us to present our portfolio in a compelling way to global travel retail harnessing a new digital platform.”

Au Coeur de Luxe, a pioneer in digital education for travel retail staff, said it “welcomes this initiative with great enthusiasm and high expectations. We see the Virtual Travel Retail Expo as an opportunity to showcase the latest updates of our e-learning tools and strengthen our partnerships.”

Hoj Parmar, CEO of Nuwave Channel Partners, said: “I have been following the development of Moodie Davitt’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo with great interest during this uncertain of time for all us who are involved in travel retail, right from the first day it was announced. It’s great to join a growing list of some of the finest brands in the channel as a partner and exhibitor, as we look to take our profile to a new level.

“I see it as a real oasis of a showcase for our expanding product mix, from our core ranges of electronics and gadgets through to our newer lines for the COVID-19 era including air passenger safety kits and our recently-launched 100% sustainable Natura mask.

“The line-up of buyers already announced made it an event we felt we could not miss and we look forward to playing our part in a showcase which we expect to become an integral part of the travel retail calendar.”

More partnerships across Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver categories will be announced in coming days.

15/062020

JTI becomes Platinum Partner for Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Simon Warburton: “We anticipate shaping the future together with our travel retail industry colleagues, and given the current situation, this cost-effective innovative approach is most welcome”

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has become the latest Platinum Partner for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

JTI Worldwide Duty Free General Manager Simon Warburton expressed his excitement at taking part in the industry’s first digital initiative on this scale. He said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to connect with our partners, and will focus our attention on discussion, ideas and innovations that drive as swift a recovery as possible.

“We are starting to see early evidence of a strong and resilient tobacco category which we believe will form a cornerstone of the recovery.

“We look forward to the opportunity to continue to engage across the Trinity, and share information, not only related to our category but to support the whole duty free industry. We anticipate shaping the future together with our travel retail industry colleagues, and given the current situation, this cost-effective innovative approach is most welcome.”

The JTI portfolio includes nine of the world’s leading tobacco brands. In 2018 they accounted for over 68% of the company’s sales, driving a 14% global market share. Winston is the world’s number two international brand, while Mevius, previously called Mild Seven, is the leading cigarette brand in Japan and the JT Group’s leading brand in Asia.

Other prominent global labels include Camel, LD, Benson & Hedges, Natural American Spirit, Sobranie, Glamour, and Silk Cut. The group is also experiencing much success with heated tobacco brand Ploom and e-cigarette brand Logic.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo begins on 12 October with a 5-day ‘live’ event followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register), just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

JTI controls a star-studded global, regional and national portfolio

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are honoured to have JTI join us on our virtual journey. JTI has been at the forefront of many compelling brand and channel initiatives in recent years, epitomised by its ‘The Future of Brands’ programme in 2018 which underlined the need to raise awareness of extreme regulation. It has also been a leader in the rapid evolution of reduced-risk products (RRPs), and of course it boasts a portfolio featuring some of the world’s best-known tobacco brands: from globally renowned labels such as Winston, Mevius, Camel and LD, to outstanding new RRPs, and local brands with strong national or regional followings.

“The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has now gained extraordinary momentum and we are determined to deliver a world-class event together with our world-class partners such as JTI.”

12/062020

“Inspiring the way forward” – Global SK-II CEO Sandeep Seth welcomes Platinum Partnership with Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

SK-II, one of the great skincare success stories of recent decades, has signed as a Platinum Partner for the forthcoming Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

“The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is inspiring the way forward in how we come together as a global industry in these extraordinary times of social distance to form strong social connections and even stronger partnerships through technology,” said Global SK-II CEO Sandeep Seth.

SK-II enjoys particular prominence in the travel retail channel, a positioning epitomised by this SK-II Shilla Travel Exclusive Set, launched in collaboration with The Shilla Duty Free in 2019

Virtual becomes Reality as many of the world’s great brands (click here for latest updates) and leading travel retailers lend their support for a breakthrough digital gathering

Youth discovering through age

For nearly 40 years, SK-II has touched the lives of millions of women around the world through skin and life transformation. The fascinating story behind SK-II began with a quest to understand why elderly sake brewers in Japan had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful-looking hands. These hands were in constant contact with the sake fermentation process.

It took years of research for scientists to isolate the ‘miracle formula’ Pitera, a naturally-derived liquid from the fermentation process of a unique strain of yeast. Since then, SK-II with Pitera has become the choice of countless women around the world, including celebrities such as Tangwei, Ni Ni, Chun Xia, Haruka Ayase, Kasumi Arimura, Naomi Watanabe, Chloe Grace Moretz and Simone Biles.

For the latest news and in-depth information, please visit http://www.sk-ii.com

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Any student of the beauty industry will appreciate the impact that SK-II has made over the past four decades since the incredible discovery of the yeast extract pitera and the subsequent launch of the brand. What an amazing journey that has been, a product borne out of the observation that aged sake brewers in Japan had soft and youthful hands.

“SK-II has been synonymous with women’s beauty and innovation ever since, so we’re honoured that the brand is joining us on another kind of journey, a pioneering sojourn into the Virtual Expo world.”

Experience-Hub_Virtual-Launch_02-1536x555

10/062020

Strong brand support continues to build behind Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce a wave of new Silver Partners for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

Silver Partners to have recently confirmed their presence include Au Coeur du Luxe, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Baroque & Rose, Bravo Fashion, Butlers, Chase Distillery, Choya Umeshu, Diamanti per Tutti, Dr Ci:Labo, Goodflow, Loacker, Long Haul Spa, Lough Ree Distillery, MCM Worldwide, Niederegger, Oribe, Ricola and Santa Margherita.

They join other partners in this category that include Barton & Guestier, Happy Socks, Loacker, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Wild Tiger Beverages. More Platinum, Gold and Silver partners will be named in coming days.

Amid a wave of industry support, the list of partners for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is growing; China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners at the event

Below we feature reaction from some of our Silver Partners:

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Director Duty Free & Travel Retail CIS-Europe Henri Brunel expressed his excitement at taking part in this “innovative and ground-breaking event”. He said: “We look forward to attending and meeting with our partners in the duty free industry. Our objective is the same as if it was a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ fair: meeting current customers, presenting our novelties for Mouton Cadet and Escudo Rojo, increasing our distribution footfall and networking with our travel retail industry pairs. We thank The Moodie Davitt Report for organising such a transformational event.”

Fast-growing Japanese skincare brand Dr.Ci:Labo, acquired last year by Johnson & Johnson, is another Silver Partner. A statement said: “At Johnson & Johnson, we fully embrace the opportunities that the digital world brings and look forward to showcasing our Dr.Ci:Labo brand to existing and potential partners at the Virtual Expo. With innovation at the forefront of everything we do, we’re excited to be a part of this industry-first initiative.”

German lifestyle brand MCM Worldwide said: “MCM Worldwide is delighted to take part in the first fully virtual travel retail trade show. Our ambition is to transform the global retail landscape with boldness, creativity and ingenuity in accordance with social change. From the digital to the physical we believe in exploration, discovery and consider travel as much a state of mind as a physical journey, and therefore look forward to this new chapter of digitalised exchange.”

Virtual Beauty Studio: One of many features that will catch the eye of travel retail beauty buyers

Edward Verté, CEO of Belgian diamond specialist Diamanti Per Tutti, highlighted his pride at participating in the inaugural edition of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. “As part of our global expansion in travel retail, Diamanti Per Tutti will leverage on this innovative concept to showcase our latest dazzling collection of contemporary jewellery inspired by travel and adventure. Each one of our unique pieces is handset with 100% certified, authentic and conflict-free diamonds, straight from the heart of Antwerp in Belgium. We look forward to the opportunity to meet and collaborate with travel retail players from across the globe at this exciting event.”

Long Haul Spa Founder Christine Keeling said: “Martin Moodie and his team at Moodie Davitt have yet again displayed their depth of leadership in our industry. Recognising that the show would not go on in the ways that we have come to expect, and understanding the need that we all have to connect in this industry, Moodie Davitt have brought to bear their unsurpassed insights and expertise to ensure that the travel retail industry remains cohesive and fully functioning. Long Haul Spa is delighted to be a Silver Partner and excited to see how all of this unfolds. We are all in this for the long haul.”

Björn Buddenbohm, Global Travel Retail Manager at popular Swedish brand Happy Socks, said: “It is essential for suppliers, especially for newcomers in travel retail like us, to stay or get in touch with retailers. After all major travel retail events have been cancelled the Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the best opportunity this year to meet up with the industry. Virtuality is surely never going to replace personal contact; however I am curious to see how it works out and whether such events become part of the future.”

Exhibitors will benefit from a widespread media presence, and will be able to display press releases in a dedicated Press Centre

Niederegger and Ricola join a growing list of partners from the confectionery & food sector.

Ricola Vice President Region Middle East & Travel Retail Andreas Reckart said: “Ricola is very happy to be involved with the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. As one of the world’s most modern and innovative manufacturers of herb drops, we are always happy to be associated with original ideas.

“Our progress in global travel retail over the past three years has been amazing and at the beginning of the year our sales were +130% up, so we know that the long-term potential for Ricola is massive. The COVID-19 epidemic has challenged us all massively, but from Q3 onwards we expect a gradual recovery, starting with our business in Asia and then hopefully expanding to the rest of the world. To be ready for this, we need to stay in close contact with our customers and distributors; the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the perfect format for us to do just that as we restart our industry.”

Niederegger Key Account Manager Travel Retail Marius Maass said: “A great thank you to Moodie Davitt for quickly coming up with this great way to stay in touch and connect together digitally. We look forward to shaping the new normal with existing and new partners during the event. In addition we are excited to bring our famous Niederegger marzipan to confectionery lovers around the globe. Marzipan with love. Since 1806.”

Gold Partners include Campari, Ferrero, Filorga, Ian Macleod Distillers, Mondelez, Nestlé, Proximo Spirits, Rituals, Schlumberger, Stoli Group, Victorinox and William Grant & Sons.

08/062020

Going for Gold: More leading brands bolster line-up at Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

More leading brand owners across a range of categories have signed up as Gold Partners for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

Recently confirmed Gold Partners include Rituals, Filorga, Victorinox, Ian Macleod Distillers, Campari, Proximo Spirits, and Schlumberger. They join other powerful names that had previously signed up in the Gold category including William Grant & Sons, Mondelez, Nestlé, Ferrero and Stoli Group.

We’ll bring you reaction from many of these brand owners soon, plus news of further Platinum, Gold and Silver partnerships.

The Virtual Launch Pad is one of several digital innovations at the Expo that allows brands to unveil or showcase products for the buyers, press and KOLs in attendance

Many leading travel retailers have committed to attending the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, and to sending their management and buying teams. These include Aer Rianta International, China Duty Free Group, CNSC, DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Duty Free Americas, Ever Rich Duty Free, Harding, King Power Group (HK), King Power International (Thailand), King Power Traveler, Lagardère Travel Retail, Landmark Management Services, Lotte Duty Free, Qatar Duty Free, Regent Travel Retail Group, Shenzhen Duty Free, Starboard Cruise Services, The Shilla Duty Free, Shinsegae Duty Free and 3Sixty Duty Free.

Since registration opened in late May, they have been joined by AWPL, Bangkok Airways, Delhi Duty Free, DR Group (Malaysia), Focus Network Agencies, Gebr Heinemann, HMSHost, Inflight Sales Group, International Shoppes, Iraq Duty Free, JR-Heinemann (Israel), Little Switzerland, Mauritius Duty Free Paradise, Montenegro Duty Free, Tourvest, Valiram Group and others.

Among the numerous airport/landlord participants, many registered in the last few days, are AGS Airports (Aberdeen, Glasgow, Southampton), Aeroporti di Roma, Aeropuertos Argentina (AA2000), Auckland Airport, AviAlliance, Bangalore Airport, Budapest Airport, Cairns Airport, Dubai Airports, Edmonton Airport, Fraport Brazil, Fraport TAV Antalya, Groupe ADP, Heathrow Airport, Lima Airport Partners, Malaysia Airports, Maldives Airports Co, Northern Capital Gateway (St. Petersburg Pulkovo), Ontario International Airport (California), Pittsburgh Airport, Rio Galeão Airport, Singapore Cruise Centre, Singapore Changi Airport, Tallinn Airport, Toronto Pearson International and others.

05/062020

Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo celebrates World Environment Day with full launch of The Trinity Forest Project

News

One visitor = one tree. That is the simple formula being adopted by the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo as it announces an ambitious roll-out of The Trinity Forest Project to mark World Environment Day today.

The theme for World Environment Day 2020 is ‘Time for Nature’, a premise based on nature’s role in providing the essential infrastructure that supports life on earth and human development.

The Trinity Forest Project, soft launched at The Trinity Forum in Doha last year, is powered by One Tree Planted, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation. For every visitor to the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, The Moodie Davitt Report will fund the planting of a tree.

The same principle will underpin all future Virtual Expos run by the newly formed Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company.

As reported, the new entity represents The Moodie Davitt Report’s diversification outside travel retail, starting with the launch of Wellbeing World, a Virtual Expo for both trade and consumer audiences across domestic and online channels to be held this November and December.

A new kind of Expo, underpinned by a strong corporate social responsibility commitment

“It is encouraging to see The Moodie Davitt Report using its position as the leading travel retail publisher to champion this cause through the ambition of The Trinity Forest Project” –Louis Lagotte, One Tree Planted

One Tree Planted is an environmental charity dedicated to making it easier for individuals and businesses to give back to the environment, create a healthier climate, protect biodiversity and help reforestation efforts around the world by planting trees.

Since its inauguration in 2014, One Tree Planted has more than doubled the number of trees planted year-on-year, last year reaching 1.3 million. The organisation works with reforestation partners in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa, helping to restore forests after fires and floods, create jobs, build communities, and protect habitat for biodiversity.

One Tree Planted European Branch Director Louis Lagotte said: “One Tree Planted is looking forward to working with The Moodie Davitt Report in helping to fund vital reforestation projects worldwide. It is encouraging to see The Moodie Davitt Report using its position as the leading travel retail publisher to champion this cause through the ambition of The Trinity Forest Project.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie added: “The eco-credentials of our Virtual Expo concept, involving no carbon footprint whatsoever, make the event the perfect platform from which to roll out The Trinity Forest Project. Through a combination of our inaugural Travel Retail Virtual Expo and our exciting diversification programme outside the channel, we believe we can make a big difference in creating a better, more sustainable planet.”

A reforestation project in Escuintla, Guatemala, run in association with Fundación Nuevas Raíces. Photo: Leonel [Nelo] Mijangos (www.nelomh.com)

*Footnote: The Trinity Forest Project is just one element of a strong CSR programme at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. For every exhibitor, The Moodie Davitt will fund a life-changing cleft operation for a child through The Smile Train. And FILTR, our partner in curating the Virtual Expo, has pledged to donate 5% of all design fees from the event to ImpactHK – the 2020 nominated charity of Women in Travel Retail (WiTR).

ImpactHK supports the homeless in Hong Kong with a particular focus on women and the aged. Women on the streets, as in many other cities, are particularly vulnerable and susceptible to abuse and attack.

04/062020

Partners sound strong support for Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo as Díaz welcomes boost to industry “reopening”

News

Support for the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo continues to mount as the first wave of Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver partners are announced, together with preferred media and data partners (Click here for confirmed partners to date – with many more to be confirmed in coming days, including some of the industry’s leading players).

Additionally, the world’s leading airports and travel retailers are registering or confirming their commitment in ever-increasing numbers to this breakthrough online event.

The unique five-day ‘live’ Virtual Travel Retail Expo, which is followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a powerful series of activities across the five days, including a star-studded Symposium line-up, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

Julián Díaz, CEO of the world’s leading travel retailer Dufry, expressed his strong support for the concept, commenting: “Dufry is glad to support an event that delivers cost effectiveness and efficiency during the reopening phase of the industry, as well as a strong focus on sustainability and CSR.”

The Moodie Davitt Report’s partner in the event, FILTR, has pledged to donate 5% of all design fees from the Expo to ImpactHK (https://impacthk.org/) – the 2020 nominated charity of Women in Travel Retail (WiTR). ImpactHK joins cleft charity Smile Train and Moodie Davitt sustainability initiative The Trinity Forest Project as beneficiaries of the event. The Moodie Davitt Report will fund one life-changing children’s cleft operation for every exhibitor and will plant a tree for each visitor through The Trinity Forest Project (full details to be announced tomorrow).

Ed Cottrell, who leads William Grant & Sons Global Travel Retail, praises the galvanising impact of the event

The newly created Association Lounge is available for any trade association wishing to promote its services, membership and activities to a wide global audience. Visitors will be able to access association material at the click of a mouse.

04/062020

Global Drinks Intel partners with Moodie Davitt for Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Global Drinks Intel. magazine has inked a deal to be the exclusive B2B drinks media partner for the upcoming Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is a pioneering five-day live event scheduled for 12-16 October, supported by a 30-day follow-up showcase running through to mid-November. Under the terms of the deal, Global Drinks Intel. will be the only drinks media available for digital distribution during the show, though pre-registered drinks journalists from other titles are welcome to attend.

With the cancellation of the annual TFWA World Exhibition (TFWE) show in September, this virtual show will fill the 2020 void and provide the necessary networking opportunity that has proven so central to the travel retail industry over the years, said Global Drinks Intel.

Global Drinks Intel. CEO Alex Smith: “The premier brand-building venue for any liquor brand with global aspirations”

Global Drinks Intel. CEO Alex Smith commented: “The timing of the show is favourable as the travel retail industry is expected to be in bounce-back mode by October, but undoubtedly will still be challenged by COVID-19 restrictions. More than ever, the industry needs to re-engage and work out a way back to normalcy in what is a vital channel for the global beverage alcohol industry.

“With the cancellation of the TFWE, the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be the pivotal forum for working out these issues, and the premier brand-building venue for any liquor brand with global aspirations. We are thrilled to be involved as the sole B2B liquor media partner in what is going to be a key brand-building event.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie commented: “One of the integral principles of our Virtual Expo is the power of the media reach that we aim to leverage on behalf of our exhibitor partners.

“While we are the dominant media in the pure play travel retail sector, we will also be supported by key channel peers such as Travel Markets Insider and Hibah Noor’s Duty Free & Travel Retailing and a selected line-up of high-class specialist B2B and B2C media in maximising visibility for our exhibitors and for the event itself.

Preferred media partners, exhibitors and visitors will benefit from a hi-tech but easily accessible Press Centre, where delegates will be able to access all partner titles at the click of a mouse

“Like us, Global Drinks Intel. is a family-owned, independent publisher whose success springs from the quality of its information and market insights, its relationships, and its inherent integrity. I have known Alex Smith for over two decades and consider him the preeminent B2B drinks journalist and editor, so we are delighted to partner with his young and thriving company.”

After the live event, all exhibitor Virtual Stands will remain open and active for 30 days and will be available online 24 hours per day. Delegates to the event will still be able to access material and downloads, including what Global Drinks Intel. promises to be a ground-breaking travel retail liquor-focused issue, with plans to follow up with a review issue after the show.

To discover more about the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, please contact: Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com

If you would like to advertise in or subscribe to Global Drinks Intel, please contact: kate@drinks-intel.com

The roll-call of preferred media partners is growing by the week

04/062020

Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer to deliver ‘transformative’ speech at Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer will deliver what is billed as a ‘transformative’ address at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

Engr. Badr is one of the most-respected executives in the airport world, his vision and drive integral to the next stage of Hamad International Airport’s exciting airport expansion project – key to preparations to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and to the country’s development long into the future.

His multi-media presentation at the Virtual Expo will outline those plans in detail, reveal a few surprises, and include a major announcement.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We’re thrilled and honoured to have Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer present at our Virtual Travel Retail Expo. We’re equally delighted that he has chosen our event to deliver a landmark address on the philosophy and investment that underpin a high-quality, safe and guest-centric airport that will act as a role model in a fast-changing aviation era.”

Hamad International revealed its multi-phased airport expansion plan in 2019 at The Trinity Forum in October which the airport company successfully co-hosted with Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free.

Pioneering event: Virtual becomes reality as the landmark Expo takes shape

Phase A of the expansion will comprise a central concourse linking concourses D and E. It will increase the airport’s annual capacity to over 53 million passengers by 2022.

Phase B, which will be completed after 2022, will extend concourses D and E to further enhance capacity to more than 60 million passengers annually.

The project will feature a 10,000sq m indoor tropical garden; a 268sq m water feature; 11,720sq m of landscaped retail and food & beverage space; and a 9,000sq m world-class Al Mourjan lounge.

Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer with The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie at Hamad International Airport

Focus on passenger comfort, wellbeing, safety

Engr. Badr will also address details of Hamad International Airport’s strategy to achieve the highest standards of cleanliness to ensure the safety of its guests during and beyond the COVID-19 era. As reported, the airport has deployed cleaning robots using ultraviolet light and thermal screening helmets – just one of several new technologies being adopted to combat the coronavirus and other potential infections at the airport.

These hi-tech measures are being deployed alongside other safety methods including strict social distancing, the frequent disinfecting of high traffic terminal areas and the compulsory wearing of masks for staff.

Crucially, all of Hamad International’s retail and food & beverage outlets are encouraging cashless transactions through cards and the airport revealed it is exploring options to introduce online or in-app purchases in the future.

[This video shows how Hamad International Airport is implementing the latest technologies to optimise passenger and employee safety in preparation for post-COVID-19 travel. The airport company is deploying robotics and advanced thermal screening helmets as part of the measures.]

The new Smart Screening Helmets being worn by airport security staff enable contactless temperature measurement of passengers and airport employees. These helmets use advanced technologies such as infrared thermal imaging, artificial intelligence and augmented reality displays.

A significant investment has also been made in the latest disinfectant robots – fully autonomous mobile devices emitting concentrated UV-C (ultraviolet) light, which is known to be effective in eliminating the majority of infectious microorganisms. The airport said that the robots are being deployed in vulnerable high passenger flow areas to reduce the spread of pathogens.

For full details on how Hamad International Airport is ensuring traveller confidence, click here.

02/062020

AirAsia.com CEO Karen Chan joins powerful Virtual Travel Retail Expo speakers’ line-up

News

Karen Chan, the CEO of AirAsia.com, has joined a powerful line-up of speakers at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo this October.

Ms Chan assumed the leadership role in January this year, having previously been Group Chief Commercial Officer.

Ms Chan is charged with transforming AirAsia into the fastest-growing travel tech and lifestyle platform in ASEAN, one that offers a frictionless and personalised experience to consumers across discovery, ticketing, activities, hotel booking and holiday packages, powered by a unified payment and loyalty solution.

“We’re thrilled to have an executive of Karen Chan’s reputation join the most powerful and diverse line-up of presenters we have put together in 18 years of organising top-class conferences at The Moodie Davitt Report,” said Martin Moodie, Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Davitt Report.

“We have brought together thought leaders from across multiple sectors – airlines, airports, cruise lines, travel retailers, food & beverage operators, omnichannel experts, trade associations and leading consultancies.”

The presentations will play out in the Knowledge Hub throughout the live five-day Virtual Expo, around the theme ‘Road to Recovery’, exploring how the travel retail channel will (or should) look in the future. Within the webinars, filmed interviews, live discussions and webcasts, delegates will hear from some of the biggest names in the aviation, travel retail and F&B communities, together with key executives from outside the channel.”

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo presentations, featuring a range of live and pre-recorded formats and spread across multiple time zones and days, will all take place in the Knowledge Hub, a fulcrum for thought leadership in our industry

Ms Chan has over 20 years of experience in digital and retail consulting. Prior to joining AirAsia, Ms Chang was the SVP of Digital for C&J Clark APMEA and Chief Digital Officer for Pizza Hut APAC, championing efforts in omnichannel retailing, digitalisation of brick-and-mortar stores, customer relationship management and headless ecommerce.

She joins a strong contingent from the airline world, including His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group; KrisShop CEO Chris Pok; Simpliflying CEO Shashank Nigam; and Kian Gould, CEO & Founder of AOE, a key figure in the development of KrisShop’s omnichannel platform.

Other top speakers include

Charles Chen, President, China Duty Free Group
Philippe Schaus, Chief Executive Officer, Moët Hennessy
Dag Rasmussen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lagardère Travel Retail
Sunil Tuli, President APTRA and Group Chief Executive, King Power Group (HK)
Lisa Bauer, President and CEO, Starboard Cruise Services
Oana Damian, Founder, Damazo Group
Muriel Zingraff, Partner, Damazo Group
Mauro Anastasi, Partner, Bain & Company Italy
Richard Barker, General Manager Retail & Commercial, Auckland Airport
Eugene Barry, Executive Vice President Commercial, Dubai Airports
Fraser Brown, Retail Director, London Heathrow Airport
Mohit Lal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail
Jack MacGowan, Director, Castlepole Consulting
Heidi Van Roon, Founder and CEO, SPARK Business Services Group
Robbie Gill, Founder & Director, The Design Solution
James Prescott, Managing Director, Harding

More additions will be revealed soon.

A pioneering event in travel retail takes shape. Virtually, of course.

For enquiries about exhibiting at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com or Gemma Aldridge at Gemma@MoodieDavittReport.com. To register for the event (exhibitors and retailers attend for free) please click here.

30/052020

“Captivating our Partners” – Puig goes Platinum for Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce that family-owned Spanish fragrance to fashion house Puig has become a Platinum Partner at the pioneering Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

Puig owns some of travel retail’s best-known fragrance brands, including Carolina Herrera, Christian Louboutin, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nina Ricci, Penhaligon’s, and Paco Rabanne.

The unique five-day ‘live’ Virtual Travel Retail Expo, which is followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a powerful series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June.

The hugely ambitious digital project is the culmination of over 3,000 man and woman hours from The Moodie Davitt and FILTR teams over the past three months. FILTR, an integrated design and communications agency, has conceived the virtual environment and easily navigable user experience. The company is also providing account management and stand curation services to every exhibitor.

Retailers and their buyers can visit The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo free of charge from anywhere in the world without having to leave their desks

“At Puig we connect our brands’ storytelling with our consumers’ emotions and we create fragrance experiences that make people dream. Everything we do, we do it with passion for innovation and creativity. The Virtual Travel Retail Expo offers a great opportunity to connect with customers and make them dream,” Puig said. “As a Platinum Exhibitor we look forward to captivating our partners with the beauty of our brands through the extraordinary capabilities of the digital realm.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Puig is one of the great names of the fragrance and fashion worlds, a third-generation family company that has never lost sight of its original values built around innate passion, a long-term vision, outstanding products, sustainability and a perpetual focus on innovation.

“I have had the pleasure on several occasions of meeting Chairman & CEO Marc Puig, most memorably during the company’s unforgettable 100th anniversary celebrations during the Puig Vela Clàssica in Barcelona in 2014, so I know how those values are embraced and nurtured every day from the top down. Talk to any leading travel retailer and they will tell you also about Puig’s flexibility and creativity, qualities that we look forward to being showcased at our pioneering Virtual Expo.”

Flashback to the Puig anniversary in 2014 as Martin Moodie meets Marc Puig (centre) and Marc’s father, the legendary Mariano Puig, one of the great drivers of the company’s success story

The Virtual Launch Pad is one of several digital innovations at the Expo that allows brands to unveil or showcase products for the buyers, press and KOLs in attendance

China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event. Platinum Partners to date include Beam Suntory; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Parfums Christian Dior; Whyte & Mackay; Shiseido Travel Retail; Clarins; Duty Free Global; and KrisShop. A full list of exhibiting partners to date will be published in coming days.

To register interest in the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo please visit www.VirtualTRExpo.com or email Gemma Aldridge at Gemma@MoodieDavittReport.com

PICTURE GALLERY

This powerful campaign from Carolina Herrera for the Good Girl fragrance was a striking sight at airports across the world in 2019, including Dubai International (DXB) above and Hamad International Airport (below).

Stepping up during the crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Puig has repurposed its manufacturing sites to produce hydro-alcoholic hand gel gel in order to play its part in curbing the outbreak. Puig has distributed the gel to hospitals and public health institutions in Spain in collaboration with local authorities.