Virtual Travel Retail Expo: Retailers & Distributors
Retailers & Distributors take a vibrant virtual approach
Leading cruise concessionaires and brand agencies showcased their latest insights and innovations in the Retailers & Distributors arena at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo.
Blue
“It’s a dream come true”: ‘Test-drive’ an Intelligent Track Systems’ trolley and check out Blue’s other partner brands as it presents its ‘triple-capability’ services across travel retail, domestic retail and online retail.
Click here to visit Blue.
GoodFlow
Goodflow shared its passion to “have a positive impact on people and the environment” via its five partner brands – Anassa Organics, Article22, Kuida Skincare, PhoneSoap and Worldwide Buddies. The week ended on a hugely positive note for the company as Article 22 claimed third place runner-up in The QDF Factor, capturing a listing and promotional platform with Qatar Duty Free, as well as a US$25,000 advertising package with The Moodie Davitt Report (see also The QDF Factor page).
Click here to visit GoodFlow.
Harding
The future of cruise can be built on a solid platform of experiences, insights, people and partnerships, said Harding Managing Director James Prescott during a strong session on the channel’s future in the Knowledge Hub. The company‘s own thinking about the new world, from its ‘oceantainment’ programme to digital engagement, was a highlight of its spectacular cruiseline-themed virtual experience.
Click here to visit Harding.
Harper Dennis Hobbs
“Who are HDH?” Simon Black, Harper Dennis Hobbs Executive Director, answers that question as he reveals the company’s passion for the future in an introductory video to its virtual experience. In a key development, HDH is launching a wholesale distribution channel to enable brands to showcase their products in travel retail.
Click here to visit Harper Dennis Hobbs.
Qatar Duty Free
One of just three Diamond Partners, Qatar Duty Free used the digital showcase to exhibit its new wave of planned development at Hamad International, the ‘new’ QDF and its wonderful hosting of last year’s Trinity Forum in Doha. The QDF Factor – a partnership between Qatar Duty Free and The Moodie Davitt Report – was among the big highlights of the entire event, and an initiative designed to encourage and champion creativity at a time when travel retail needs it most.
From a diverse and compelling array of entries, Long Haul Spa and Make Sure were named as the joint grand prize winners, with ethical jewellery brand Article 22 the third place runner-up.
The two major winners each receive a complimentary six-month listing and incredible three-month high-profile promotion (plus a secondary three-month promotion) in Qatar Duty Free’s award-winning offer at Hamad International Airport, in Doha, Qatar. They also each receive a US$50,000 multi-media advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.
Click here to visit Qatar Duty Free.
Smart Project
“Let’s make the travelling customer feel the love in travel retail”: Smart Project launched its retailing tool, the multifunctional, multilingual BA’s Digital Assistant app at the virtual event, with online training and staffing also highlighted.
Click here to visit Smart Project.
Starboard Cruise Services & Onboard Media
During a special session devoted to cruise in the Knowledge Hub, Starboard Cruise Services President & CEO Lisa Bauer said that the global pandemic had accelerated the adoption of many recent trends seen in cruise retail, around themes such as experiential, luxury, omnichannel, digitalisation, personalisation and conscious consumerism. Starboard presented its own insights on these dynamics through its booth and that of sister company Onboard Media during the Expo week.
Click here to visit Starboard Cruise Services.
Other Key Partners
Alongside Qatar Duty Free and The SEVA Group, China Duty Free Group was one of our Diamond Partners at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. With its dominance of the Hainan Island duty free business, and the surge in domestic travel to the resort while international travel is curtailed, the state-owned company today manages travel retail’s sole global hotspot. President Charles Chen’s interview with Martin Moodie on day one (featured earlier in this edition) was a highlight of the Knowledge Hub agenda, offering a welcome upbeat note about the opportunity that China represents even amid the industry’s global downturn.
With a prominent site in the Main Atrium area of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development lent its backing behind the drive to develop and promote Hainan Free Trade Port.
Dubai Duty Free (pictured) was another of the many powerhouse retail players to support the event, notably by generously offering weekly chances for visitors to enter its Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws. The company, like many of its retailer peers, also brought a strong attendance from across its management and buying teams.
We thank these partners, alongside the leading industry associations, for their presence and support.
The Moodie Davitt eZine Issue 285 | 4 November 2020
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 15 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (Moodie International Ltd). © All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher. To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please e-mail sinead@moodiedavittreport.com