Gebr. Heinemann Talking Points VII
Innovating for travel retail’s future
As media guests to Hamburg for the press event discovered, knowledge and innovation hub GHARAGE will an increasing role in driving new ideas for the future of the company and the industry.
Max Heinemann said: “We want to challenge the status quo, invite great ideas carefully but clearly into our industry, from start-up scenarios to venture building. For so long our industry grew comfortably due to the rise of travel. But we have to be careful that we are not getting too comfortable again. And with that you need to start with small stories, test them out, and bring them into the world.”
Of the vision hub, Heinemann said: “GHARAGE is an innovation driver and has built up a diverse portfolio of ventures. What is common to all of them is the aim to open up new target groups and use new technologies for the benefit of travellers.”
In April 2022, GATEZERO premiered in Copenhagen as a destination for new Gen Z luxury consumers. In-store analysis has shown that an average of 70% of shoppers are under the age of 30.
Gebr. Heineman underscored its belief that technologies like web3 and blockchain will also have an impact on travel retail, with its venture Amber Island already making use of these technologies.
The first big Amber Island initiative was a partnership with The Glenturret
The company noted: “The web3 community offers its members access to rare and limited collectable whiskeys through NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The feedback from the community and from distilleries who want to collaborate is very positive. Furthermore, the Duffle app, a quick delivery platform for airport retail, went live in January 2023. The app targets the younger, more digitally driven shoppers. Gebr. Heinemann, via GHARAGE, invested and actively supported the venture.”
“It is great to see how these ventures came to life in 2022 and made it possible for us to create real change in the industry,” said Heinemann.
The GHARAGE team has high hopes that the Duffle digital commerce platform can gain wider traction within the travel retail community
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 323 | 5 May 2023
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