“An innovative format”: More brands sign up for Virtual Travel Retail Expo

INTERNATIONAL. Support for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo continues to be encouraging, as brand owners of all sizes seize the opportunity to connect with business partners against the challenging background of the COVID-19 crisis.

New exhibitor partners to join in recent days include leading drinks group Bacardi Global Travel Retail (as reported), premium eyewear specialist Marchon, French wine company Peuch & Besse, French cosmeceutical company Nuxe, Austrian distiller Franz Bauer, Barcelona-based personal care brand Beter, plus Haan, a sanitiser brand built around the principles of sustainability.

As reported, the unique five-day ‘live’ Expo takes place on 12-16 October, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register).

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 powerful visitor audience comprising travel retail and airport executives is promised.

Exhibitor partners are being attracted by the combination of a top-quality digital showcase offering multiple interactive touchpoints and unlimited brand information display

Sylvain Combe, CEO of innovative French wine company Peuch & Besse, said: “Following the cancellation of the TFWA Singapore and Cannes exhibitions the Virtual Expo will be a great opportunity.

“This year, we have been further apart than ever before from our customers and partners, and for a longer time. I am happy that you are giving us the occasion to listen to everyone, as well as to discuss what solutions we can find together, and help business take off faster. Our authentic wine growers will be with us through their videos, presenting their wines, their terroir and tradition. So we are fully equipped for the digital fair.”

Representing eyewear designer, manufacturer and distributor Marchon, President Nicola Zotta said: “We are very proud to be part of and support the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. This is a great initiative giving an innovative and necessary platform for the industry stakeholders to work together on reshaping the future of Travel Retail. Marchon Eyewear and the sunglasses category will continue to play an important role in ensuring travel retail has sunnier days ahead.”

As reported, leading sunglasses companies — including Marchon alongside Kering Eyewear, Luxottica Group, Marcolin and Safilo — have announced that the Sunglasses Workshop 2020 will take place at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo on 14 October. The dynamic digital workshop, themed ‘All Eyes On…Recovery,’ will be live-streamed to a global audience.

Other exhibitors also highlighted the showcase opportunity provided by the Virtual Expo, among them leading beauty and well-being house L’Occitane Group – whose core brands include L’Occitane en Provence, Elemis and Erborian. The company said: “We believe in a committed, engaging and seamless connection with our beauty community and partners. Aligned with the entrepreneurial spirit of the company, the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo offers an innovative format that echoes our group spirit and direction.

“Partners will be able to explore L’Occitane Group brands, signature products and key innovations through an immersive installation,” says the premium cosmetics company of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo

“Partners will be able to explore L’Occitane Group brands, signature products and key innovations through an immersive installation. Adding to the Provencal art de vivre and rich story-telling & experiences of L’Occitane en Provence, we will showcase Elemis – an award-winning luxury skincare brand sourced from nature and led by science – and Erborian – effortless yet powerful beauty game-changers drawn from Korean beauty expertise.

“We are excited to participate in this interactive event and unveil the latest innovations in our natural committed brands.”

Representing Italian premium winemaker Masi Agricola, Export and Travel Retail Sales Director Pier Giuseppe Torresani said: “Masi is proud to be part of the first edition of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. It is going to be the first sign of a new start as this milestone represents the beginning of a different era, in an unusual shape.

“Travel retail is a strategic channel for Masi and we want to be at the forefront of this new start. It has always been in the soul of Masi to be innovative and it represents the occasion to give a positive message to the market.

Buyers can look forward to engaging virtually with the extensive Masi wine collection

“At the same time we are glad to consolidate our partnership with The Moodie Davitt Report, which has always been a great supporter of the wine category.”

As reported, a virtual Wine O’Clock event will put the spotlight on the wine category and its burgeoning potential in travel retail. Brand owners representing several key wine-producing nations will participate, alongside leading retailers and a surprise guest. The event will feature an exclusive (virtual) tasting session of some outstanding wines.

Long-established Austrian distiller Destillerie Franz Bauer, as noted above, is another new addition to the exhibitor line-up. Export and GTR Director Hannes Koch said: “We are really looking forward to showcasing our crafted spirits of premium quality to the travel retail audience for the first time. In the 100 years of our company we have always believed that ‘from the field to the bottle’ is more than a buzzword and are convinced that our highly accoladed and innovative products will be well received by the international travelling shopper. We can and will support our retail partners with good storytelling and POS activities to ensure good revenue.”

German eyewear specialist Rodenstock will join a growing list of eyewear brands at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Director Global Retail & Ikam Eyewear Petra Eckhardt-Koestler said: “Rodenstock is delighted to exhibit at this new exhibition format with its eyewear brands.”

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