Global Travel Retail Magazine

Last weekend more than 40 leading brand representatives and industry press embarked on a memorable journey aboard the new  Sun Princess, marking the inaugural “Brand Day” and ushering in a fresh chapter in luxury retail at sea. The event, courtesy of Princess and award-winning cruise retail vendor Harding+, provided an exclusive first look at the next generation of experiential retail, highlighting unique opportunities for customer engagement, activations, and promotions tailored to today’s evolving cruise passenger. Sun Princess is the latest addition to the Princess Cruise Lines fleet and features over 5,000 square feet of retail space across two decks, designed by Harding+. The retail experience onboard is unlike anything on any other cruise ship, a fluid, immersive space that favors experiential shopping over browsing. Both deck areas are replete with showcase areas and pop-ups, and the experience extends beyond the individual shops and lounges into long walkways flooded with natural light. Spaces such as the BREITLING/TAG Heuer watch lounge and the bespoke SWAROVSKI boutique encourage dwell time and return visits which are only possible on cruise ships, and blend perfectly with the hypermodern design of the ship itself. #travelretail #sunprincess #brandday #experientialretail #cruise

Nieuport Aviation has appointed Eve Wiggins as Chief Operating Officer. As part of her role, Eve will oversee the passenger experience, Operations, Facilities Management, Safety and Security, Maintenance, Information Technology and Commercial Partnerships. With over 25 years of Canadian and international experience in transportation management, operations, and strategy, Eve has successfully held pivotal operations roles in several large organizations, including at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Metrolinx, and the City of Mississauga’s MiWay Transit services. “We are delighted to welcome Eve to the Nieuport Aviation family,” says Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a focus on safety, customer experience, innovation, and continuous improvement—areas that align very well with Nieuport’s priorities and values. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming her to the team, and to the positive changes we’re sure she’ll bring about for everyone moving to, from and through the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport."

Familia Torres has been proclaimed the most innovative winery at the 2024 Golden Vines Awards, recently held in Madrid. The 2024 Barca-Velha Golden Vines Innovation Award recognizes the pioneering work of the Spanish winery to integrate sustainable and respectful winemaking practices, which combine respect for tradition with constant innovation and contribute to the rescue of ancestral varieties. "This is a recognition of the entire team of professionals dedicated to research, whether from the area of Innovation and Knowledge or from different departments that collaborate on projects. Work is carried out in various fields, including viticulture, oenology, microbiology, technology, and open innovation. Our goal is to find solutions that allow us to face the challenges of the sector by being more efficient and resilient, as well as to contribute ideas of interest for new products," says Mireia Torres Maczassek, Director of Innovation and Knowledge at Familia Torres and member of the fifth generation. Bruno Teixeira

Recent airport activations such as ‘Secret is You’, ‘Taste the Extraordinary’ and a Pantone color collaboration have elevated Jägermeister’s core herbal liquor products for the brand’s growing Gen Z fan base, says Stephanie Cleary, Marketing Director at Mast-Jägermeister SE. “We're confident that we'll finish the year strong and we're happy with all the activations we have achieved with Jägermeister," she comments. #globaltravelretail #spirits #brandcampaign #premiumizaion #GenZ Philippa Browning Alison Farrington

From humble beginnings with a single store in 1989, Morocco’s International Duty Free Shops (IDFS) has grown to become the country’s premier travel retail operator, with presence in ten major airports and 25 shops across the country. The company was the pioneer of duty free shopping in Morocco and maintained its position as the sole duty free operator in the country for many years. “We are celebrating our 35th anniversary next year, which is an achievement that we’re proud of,” says Anthony C., General Manager of IDFS. “To mark this milestone, we will align with the Kingdom, as there are many new developments happening in Morocco. We want to make our stores an integral part of the tourism experience.” The anniversary celebrations will feature a series of events engaging customers, partners and employees, with detailed plans expected to be unveiled by the end of November. Candice Medina Tantoco Rivic Tantoco

Anthon Berg, in partnership with Heinemann, is celebrating 140 years of memorable chocolate at Copenhagen Airport with an activation honoring the brand’s rich history. In 1956, Anthon Berg revolutionized the travel retail channel for the Danes by introducing the marzipan bar, available for purchase on flights and ferries to and from Denmark. As air travel became more popular, the iconic tube of chocolate bottles was launched especially to fit the sales trolleys on board planes. Toms Group A/S Peter Dige Anna Grønnegaard Jens Egelund Jakobsen

With three highly-awarded ultra-premium agaves and a new small batch tequila, The Lost Explorer is keen to build physical availability and boost visibility in the on-trade and key travel retail hubs and top tier destination airports across the globe. Its partnership agreement with premium drinks specialist, SipWell Brands, takes effect immediately. Founded in 2019, SipWell already represents a range of premium spirits from Hine Hine Cognaca and Lind & Lime Gin to Nc'nean Distillery, Stauning Whisky, FABLE Whisky, Isle of Barra Distillers Ltd, Two Stacks and Kilchoman Distillery whiskies. “There is no doubt people want richer experiences and are increasingly prepared to explore more in terms of craftsmanship and sustainable production. Our goal is to inspire those people to celebrate the earth and live curiously, understanding more of what we can receive from nature, but also return to nature. The team at SipWell shares our understanding of how international markets are shifting towards the ultra-premium and prestige segments and we are excited to work with them to take our full range to this new channel,” says Sheyan Patel, Chief Commercial Officer at The Lost Explorer. #globaltravelretail #dutyfree #spirits #partnership Andrew Torrance Calum Lawrie

Gebr. Heinemann has decided to reorganize and consolidate its business activities in the Asia Pacific region. According to the company, this step has been taken in response to the significantly reduced purchasing power of the Chinese consumers coupled with lower international passenger numbers. “After challenging years during the pandemic, the expected return of high-spending Chinese travelers did not materialize and is not foreseeable in the upcoming future, also driven by the Chinese government's regulatory measures to generate incremental retail sales domestically,” Gebr. Heinemann stated. “This combination is leading to a significant, lasting decline in turnover in the region and particularly in Oceania.” Max Heinemann Marvin von Plato Simon Temps Nina Semprecht Rhoda Severino

Starboard Group and VENUS Fashion Inc. are celebrating a groundbreaking strategic partnership as the popular digital-first brand opens its first-ever physical stores at sea. The new partnership will bring vibrant, resort-ready apparel to cruise ships across Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages, marking Venus’ entry into physical retail and establishing a brand-new distribution channel. Included in the launch is dynamic retailtainment, bringing to life the intersection of style and vacation vibes with engaging, memorable activations. Lisa Bauer Laura Bollier

Familia Torres shares its winemaking legacy with the release of Familia Torres Colección Privada (Private Collection), a selection of rare ex cellar vintages aimed at highlighting the aging potential of the winery's greatest wines. Each year, Familia Torres will unveil a limited number of bottles that have matured for at least a decade in the family's private reserve, carefully chosen to exhibite the intricate complexity that only the passage of time can bestow upon fine wines. "These wines are part of our legacy and a living testimony of our unwavering dedication to excellence," says Miguel A. Torres, President, Familia Torres. "It is exciting to enjoy these vintages now, once anticipated to possess remarkable aging potential, and to see that time has proven us right. They are wines of profound complexity that have evolved in an exceptional way." Bruno Teixeira