INTERNATIONAL. As momentum builds behind the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, leading brands in the confectionery & food sector have confirmed their support as exhibitors.
The unique 5-day ‘live’ event, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.
The latest exhibitor bookings from the confectionery & food category include Mondelez World Travel Retail, Nestlé, Ferrero Travel Market and Loacker, with others to be named soon.
Mondelez World Travel Retail Managing Director Jaya Singh said: “Seeing the unfortunate constraints to the organisation of traditional physical spaces and key events, we need to find alternative ways to gather and bring people together. The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is an excellent alternative and, at Mondelez World Travel Retail, we are looking forward to our participation in such a purpose-driven digital event. We believe in its inspiring concept to bring our global community together and drive innovation as we continue down the road to recovery for the confectionery category with our partners.”
Nestlé International Travel Retail General Manager Stewart Dryburgh said: “At the Trinity Forum last October Nestlé advocated the power of virtual events to engage a wider audience across our global community; given the current business environment this is therefore a most timely initiative. As such, Nestlé is delighted to be once again partnering with The Moodie Davitt Report on another pioneering venture.
“Our industry has always proved to be resilient and so, even in these challenging times, Nestlé believes in its future and so retains the ambition to grow the food & confectionery category to US$10 billion by the end of the decade. In the Virtual Travel Retail Expo we will share our exciting plans with the aim of kickstarting category growth in 2021. We will achieve this by continuing to build on the very latest in consumer insights and executing in-store with our valuable retail partners, leveraging our SOUL framework.”
Ferrero Travel Market General Manager Sergio Salvagno said: “The Ferrero Travel Market team always looks forward to meeting friends, colleagues and partners at the annual trade shows where we can share experiences, thoughts, ideas about business and non-related business.
“Unfortunately the recent situation will not help the industry to organise a big short term live event, but the solution is to participate in the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo at which we will be able to host our partners in a new way: a digital experience. After having discussed for some time how to improve the digital experience for shoppers it is time for the entire industry to finally take this step. We thank Moodie Davitt for taking the initiative in these difficult times.”
Loacker Head of Duty Free & Travel Retail Juan Miguel Cabrera said: “COVID-19 has taught us that virtual encounters are a great way to continue engaging with our partners. This event will give us that opportunity. 2020 will be remembered for our missing social gatherings around the globe. For Loacker 2021 is a very important year; being present in this event will help us to show our colleagues in travel retail our exciting news for 2021.”
(Others category players to have joined the Expo since this story was published include Lindt, Butlers, Haribo, Niederegger and Ricola.)
As reported, many leading travel retailers have committed to attending the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, and to sending their management and buying teams.
These include Aer Rianta International, China Duty Free Group, CNSC, DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Duty Free Americas, Ever Rich Duty Free, Harding, Gebr Heinemann, King Power Group (HK), King Power International (Thailand), King Power Traveler, Lagardère Travel Retail, Landmark Management Services, Lotte Duty Free, Qatar Duty Free, Regent Travel Retail Group, Shenzhen Duty Free, Starboard Cruise Services and 3Sixty Duty Free.
Since registration opened late last week, they have already been joined by a host of independent retailers such as AWPL, DR Group (Malaysia), Focus Network Agencies, JR-Heinemann (Israel), Little Switzerland, Mauritius Duty Free Paradise, Montenegro Duty Free, Tourvest and others.
Among the numerous airport participants, many registered in the last few days, are AGS Airports (Aberdeen, Glasgow, Southampton), Aeroporti di Roma, Bangalore Airport, Cairns Airport, Dubai Airports, Edmonton Airport, Fraport Brazil, Fraport TAV Antalya, Heathrow Airport, Lima Airport Partners, Maldives Airports Co, Northern Capital Gateway (St. Petersburg Pulkovo), Ontario International Airport (California), Pittsburgh Airport, Rio Galeão Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Toronto Pearson International and others.
As reported this week, omnichannel retailer KrisShop has signed as a Platinum Partner, joining Beam Suntory; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Parfums Christian Dior; Whyte & Mackay; Shiseido Travel Retail; Clarins and Duty Free Global. More will be announced shortly.
China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event.
COMMENTS FROM PLATINUM PARTNERS (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY)
*For more information or to register, click here.
