Classic style: Cherry BlossomUK. Morgan & Oates, the specialist supplier of scarves and wraps for the inflight sector, is introducing a new collection of vivid hand-painted designs at TFWA World Exhibition next month (Stand number: Mediterranean Village P19).
In Cannes, Morgan & Oates adds new designs including Cherry Blossom in vibrant pinks and greens on a cream background. With its slightly Asian look, the wrap has already been listed by MyTravelUK for Winter 2007/8, retailing onboard at £30.
“Initially the wraps were primarily a scheduled airline item, but we are finding more and more charters are now upscaling their offer and our range fits perfectly into their price spectrum,” said Morgan & Oates Sales Director Worldwide Kevin Galbraith.
Thomsonfly and Flybe have also listed products for the Winter season. “Jeannie Archer of JA Associates has done a fantastic job for us building the business and continues to handle sales for us in the UK and Europe,” he added.
Also new in Cannes is a Fine Stripe design, which takes the hand-painted concept in a fresh direction. “This is a new look that we are experimenting with,” explained Galbraith. “It’s very modern, very contemporary and – we believe – will appeal to a younger consumer. If it’s successful then this is an area that we will certainly develop for the future.”
Fine Stripe will retail at about €52 and has already been listed by British Airways (£35 onboard).
In addition, the company will be showing its collection of 100% cashmere wraps and scarves, including the classic stylish grey graduation stripe that has been listed for the coming season by Virgin. It is described as an ideal unisex gift.
Travel retail activities
Morgan & Oates is keen to expand distribution further into the Middle East, Asia and Europe and, while the emphasis has been on inflight sales, the aim is to additionally develop business on the ground.
New look: Fine Stripe scarfThe Scottish family-owned company began supplying travel retailers with its hand-painted 20% cashmere/80% fine Merino wool (60x180cm) wraps some two years ago. Its first pink floral design, finished with knotted tassels and presented in a flat logoed zipped bag, was an instant hit with airlines.
Taking up little space in the trolley and priced at £30-£35 (€45-52), the wraps – with a growing number of designs – have rapidly built distribution with airlines including Aeroflot, Aer Lingus, Finnair, British Airways, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines and Virgin.
“The wrap/shawl market needed livening up with something different and unique,” observed Galbraith. “100% cashmere was becoming expensive and the pricing just put the items out of range for many passengers.”
He continued: “We looked at several ideas before coming up with the hand-painted floral concept, based on a cashmere/Merino wool mix, which has proved an instant success. Retaining the cashmere content is important because it gives the product its quality and softness of feel. Airlines love it because the designs are completely different to anything passengers will find on the high street, the pricing is absolutely right on the button for impulse and gift purchasing, and the margins are excellent,” he added.
A key selling point for the company is its ability to customise designs. For example, two of Morgan & Oates’ best-selling designs – Peony Cream and Small Lilac Feathers – were originally designed for British Airways, and have continued to sell well with other airlines.
For Japanese carrier ANA, seeking a more expensive item, the company has created a special-production cashmere scarf (30x165cm) and wrap (50x140cm), retailing onboard at around Y15,000 (€112.50) and Y18,000 (€135) respectively. These are selling so well, that production is now being expanded to offer the line more widely, said Galbraith.
Quality is a significant element. “We have our own office in China so are able to better control production and quality; while final quality checks in our own factory in Scotland prior to despatch ensures that the highest standards are maintained,” continued Galbraith. “The end result is that we offer the travel retail market a superb range of designs, ranging from the classic plain to the painted floral to the contemporary stripe to the customised exclusive, at price points which suit both the charter and scheduled market; and which are equally ideal for ground shop sales.”
Sales are expected to climb by +11% this year, noted Galbraith.
About Morgan & Oates
Since the mid-1970s the name of Morgan & Oates has been synonymous with cashmere and fine wool accessories. In 2000, the company was bought by Calzeat Ltd, to develop the brand within the travel retail business.
Calzeat Ltd, based in Scotland, was established in 1974 to provide high quality textiles to the UK market. This business has expanded rapidly and today the company is well known in many areas of the world. Calzeat is still a family-owned company headed by Robin Galbraith and his sons and supported by a team which includes five full-time designers and 80 employees.
Its wide range of customers includes Marks & Spencer and John Lewis in the UK and Takashimaya in Japan. It also manufactures for such brands as Burberry and Mulberry in the UK, and Ralph Lauren Polo in the US.
For travel retail, the designers have created a range of scarves, stoles, wraps and teddy bears in lambswool, cashmere, cashmere and silk and cashmere and Merino wool. The fabrics are produced in Scotland, dyed and hand-painted to today’s fashion needs and then individually quality controlled.
For details of Morgan & Oates in the UK/Europe, contact Jeannie Archer, JA Associates, tel: +44 1 252 783 007, fax +44 1 252 781 007 or e-mail jaassociatesinc@aol.com For the rest of world, contact Kevin Galbraith, tel: +44 1899 220837, fax: +44 1899 221182, or e-mail: morganandoates@aol.com
