gategroup unveils uqonic – ‘next-generation proposition and retail model and our vision for the future’

“One of the greater goals we set for ourselves is understanding the traveller in profound ways and transforming these insights into wonderful new products. In other words: elevating the traveller experience by prompting value-adding products that expand the imagination. " - gategroup CEO Xavier Rossinyol
“One of the greater goals we set for ourselves is understanding the traveller in profound ways and transforming these insights into wonderful new products. In other words: elevating the traveller experience by prompting value-adding products that expand the imagination. ” – gategroup CEO Xavier Rossinyol

SWITZERLAND. Airline services provider gategroup tonight unveiled what it described as “a total retail solution” dubbed uqonic.

uqonic brings together under a single platform gategroup’s business insight, brand portfolio, five-star hospitality offer and what the company described as “a 360° tech platform”.

gategroup CEO Xavier Rossinyol said: “One of the greater goals we set for ourselves is understanding the traveller in profound ways and transforming these insights into wonderful new products. In other words: elevating the traveller experience by prompting value-adding products that expand the imagination.  As a blend of the traveller, the unique and the iconic, uqonic clearly defines this value proposition.

“Our emphasis on retail and technology continue to add lift to the two wings of gategroup, with growth and innovation on one side, and efficiencies and cash flow on the other. After a year and a half of investment and unrelenting focus on innovation, we set about creating and acquiring market-leading solutions, culminating in the creation of uqonic.

“uqonic is a single dynamic platform that will transform the way airlines manage every aspect of retail onboard. From enriching retail offerings with a traveller-centric approach, to growing sales and increasing profitability with straightforward back-office functionality and reporting, the uqonic team stands ready to help our customers energise the total retail onboard experience.

gategroup claimed that four differentiating factors separate its offer from rival onboard retail programmes:

gg-aBUSINESS INSIGHTS:  gategroup said it is all about consumer intelligence and market place research, using data comprising purchasing preferences of millions of passengers worldwide to help enhance traveller satisfaction, track crew performance, boost sales and maximise profits.

gg-b-bewHOUSE OF BRANDS: gategroup said it has its own Innovation Centre of Excellence based in Amsterdam, which offers clients an “infinite pipeline” of key developments designed and manufactured with top suppliers and brand members. It claimed that its particular expertise is to tailor its offering to the needs of the traveller, the airline brand and the company’s supply chain. “Combining our global procurement strategy and retail know-how, we transform our innovative ideas into reality,” it said.

gg-d5-STAR HOSPITALITY:  “A knowledgeable, competent and skilled sales force is crucial for success in our new in-flight paradigm,” said gategroup. “Our focus is to continue to develop, formalise and implement the necessary skill sets through an industry-validated, inflight retail certification program: uqonic University.”

gg-e360° TECH PLATFORM: The uqonic operating system is claimed to enable experiences and efficient operations via an advanced, exclusive digital platform. gategroup said: “uqonic OS ties cutting-edge data tools to a proprietary integrated solution – from pre-order to wastage and shrinkage management, and from data-driven personalised offerings and smart trolleys with integrated track and trace capabilities, to duty and tax management.”

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