Godiva restructures travel retail division to drive growth

Belgian chocolatier Godiva has restructured its global travel retail division and created a new Channels Department.

Godiva said the changes will enable it to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the growth of alternative retail channels.

The Channels Department will focus on the multiple retail channels which enhance the traditional travel retail business, including airport cafés, cruise ship cafés and stores, inflight service and sales, and the global hospitality industry.

Godiva opened its first marine travel retail café onboard Cunard’s refurbished Queen Mary 2 ocean liner in 2016

Leen Baeten, who has been leading Godiva’s domestic marketing team in the Americas, returns to Europe to lead the new department under the title of Channel Marketing Director. She will report to General Manager Global Travel Retail Matthew Hodges.

Leen Baeten assumes the role of Channel Marketing Director

Baeten will work alongside Commercial Director Ramon Iglesias, who will focus on the commercial management aspects across the division.

As of January 2018, Lynsey Eades has been promoted to the role of Global Travel Retail Director Europe. She has continued responsibility for Global Key Accounts and reports to Matthew Hodges.

Lynsey Eades was promoted to Global Travel Retail Director Europe in January

The Middle East and Retail teams, led respectively by Area Manager Middle East & Indian Subcontinent Maher El-Tabchy and Senior Sales Manager Retail, Franchise & E-commerce Europe & GTR Bettina Van Buynder will report to Iglesias as before.

Godiva General Manager Global Travel Retail Matthew Hodges commented: “Godiva has a vision which includes the seamless supply and service of our superb confectionery and refreshments through multiple channels across the world. Our first ventures into this domain, including the hugely successful Godiva Café that was launched onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary II in 2016, have encouraged us to focus on this burgeoning segment.

Godiva General Manager Global Travel Retail Matthew Hodges: “Godiva has a vision which includes the seamless supply and service of our superb confectionery and refreshments through multiple channels across the world”

“Our new Channels Department covers both domestic and travel retail business with a focus on Food & Beverage opportunities globally in global travel retail and across continental Europe. These opportunities will be pursued with existing retail customers as well as with third-party specialists who are new to our business and with whom to date there has been little or no developed relationship. We wish our colleagues well in their exciting new roles.”

 

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