INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce a wave of new Silver Partners for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.
The unique 5-day ‘live’ Expo, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.
Silver Partners to have recently confirmed their presence include Au Coeur du Luxe, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Baroque & Rose, Bravo Fashion, Butlers, Chase Distillery, Choya Umeshu, Diamanti per Tutti, Dr Ci:Labo, Goodflow, Loacker, Long Haul Spa, Lough Ree Distillery, MCM Worldwide, Niederegger, Oribe, Ricola and Santa Margherita.
They join other partners in this category that include Barton & Guestier, Happy Socks, Loacker, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Wild Tiger Beverages. More Platinum, Gold and Silver partners will be named in coming days.
Below we feature reaction from some of our Silver Partners:
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Director Duty Free & Travel Retail CIS-Europe Henri Brunel expressed his excitement at taking part in this “innovative and ground-breaking event”. He said: “We look forward to attending and meeting with our partners in the duty free industry. Our objective is the same as if it was a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ fair: meeting current customers, presenting our novelties for Mouton Cadet and Escudo Rojo, increasing our distribution footfall and networking with our travel retail industry pairs. We thank The Moodie Davitt Report for organising such a transformational event.”
Fast-growing Japanese skincare brand Dr.Ci:Labo, acquired last year by Johnson & Johnson, is another Silver Partner. A statement said: “At Johnson & Johnson, we fully embrace the opportunities that the digital world brings and look forward to showcasing our Dr.Ci:Labo brand to existing and potential partners at the Virtual Expo. With innovation at the forefront of everything we do, we’re excited to be a part of this industry-first initiative.”
German lifestyle brand MCM Worldwide said: “MCM Worldwide is delighted to take part in the first fully virtual travel retail trade show. Our ambition is to transform the global retail landscape with boldness, creativity and ingenuity in accordance with social change. From the digital to the physical we believe in exploration, discovery and consider travel as much a state of mind as a physical journey, and therefore look forward to this new chapter of digitalised exchange.”
Edward Verté, CEO of Belgian diamond specialist Diamanti Per Tutti, highlighted his pride at participating in the inaugural edition of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. “As part of our global expansion in travel retail, Diamanti Per Tutti will leverage on this innovative concept to showcase our latest dazzling collection of contemporary jewellery inspired by travel and adventure. Each one of our unique pieces is handset with 100% certified, authentic and conflict-free diamonds, straight from the heart of Antwerp in Belgium. We look forward to the opportunity to meet and collaborate with travel retail players from across the globe at this exciting event.”
Long Haul Spa Founder Christine Keeling said: “Martin Moodie and his team at Moodie Davitt have yet again displayed their depth of leadership in our industry. Recognising that the show would not go on in the ways that we have come to expect, and understanding the need that we all have to connect in this industry, Moodie Davitt have brought to bear their unsurpassed insights and expertise to ensure that the travel retail industry remains cohesive and fully functioning. Long Haul Spa is delighted to be a Silver Partner and excited to see how all of this unfolds. We are all in this for the long haul.”
Björn Buddenbohm, Global Travel Retail Manager at popular Swedish brand Happy Socks, said: “It is essential for suppliers, especially for newcomers in travel retail like us, to stay or get in touch with retailers. After all major travel retail events have been cancelled the Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the best opportunity this year to meet up with the industry. Virtuality is surely never going to replace personal contact; however I am curious to see how it works out and whether such events become part of the future.”
Niederegger and Ricola join a growing list of partners from the confectionery & food sector.
Ricola Vice President Region Middle East & Travel Retail Andreas Reckart said: “Ricola is very happy to be involved with the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. As one of the world’s most modern and innovative manufacturers of herb drops, we are always happy to be associated with original ideas.
“Our progress in global travel retail over the past three years has been amazing and at the beginning of the year our sales were +130% up, so we know that the long-term potential for Ricola is massive. The COVID-19 epidemic has challenged us all massively, but from Q3 onwards we expect a gradual recovery, starting with our business in Asia and then hopefully expanding to the rest of the world. To be ready for this, we need to stay in close contact with our customers and distributors; the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the perfect format for us to do just that as we restart our industry.”
Niederegger Key Account Manager Travel Retail Marius Maass said: “A great thank you to Moodie Davitt for quickly coming up with this great way to stay in touch and connect together digitally. We look forward to shaping the new normal with existing and new partners during the event. In addition we are excited to bring our famous Niederegger marzipan to confectionery lovers around the globe. Marzipan with love. Since 1806.”
As reported, China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event. Platinum Partners include Beam Suntory; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Parfums Christian Dior; Whyte & Mackay; Shiseido Travel Retail; Clarins; Duty Free Global, KrisShop and Puig.
Gold Partners include Campari, Ferrero, Filorga, Ian Macleod Distillers, Mondelez, Nestlé, Proximo Spirits, Rituals, Schlumberger, Stoli Group, Victorinox and William Grant & Sons.
