French bag specialist Tintamar has launched a new line of ‘intelligent’ travel accessories. SmartZip bag organisers, cases and pouches made their travel retail debut at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.
SmartZip products encourage travellers to organise essential objects in pouches and pockets which, through Genius Objects technology, are linked to smartphones. The SmartZip app alerts the user when an object registered on a check-list is missing and also if the main pocket is not properly closed. If the bag or pouch is lost or stolen, its last position will be recorded on the app.
According to the brand, a person loses an average of 153 days of his or her lifetime searching for lost items; more than 50% of daily stress is due to the search of forgotten items. The four most forgotten items are mobile phones, keys, glasses and wallet.
Tintamar Founder Edith Petit said: “We aim to take the strain out of everyday life and travelling. I believe this is an essential item for travellers and a great addition to the Tintamar range.”
Petit said SmartZip attracted a lot of attention at the Cannes event, appealing particularly to the “security-conscious” Chinese market. The range has listings with Air France and is finalising discussions with Russian airline Aeroflot.
SmartZip accessories are available in black, khaki and red. The 23/30 x 19 x 7.5 cm SmartZip Organizer has four zipped and interactive pockets, the 26 x 20 x 2 cm SmartZip case three and the SmartZip Pocket two.
Voyage Chic, a new range of travel accessories for women, was also revealed at Cannes.
Petit said the line was developed after consideration of the “rather boring” products already available. “We looked at the market and found travel accessories boring, very unisex, in dull colours and without any fantasy. We wanted to create something more glamorous for women.”
The new range, in satin and lingerie material with embroidered details and messages, includes an eye mask, travel bags, neck pillow and vanity bags in red, fuchsia, grey and black colours.
Petit said Tintamar packaging has been refreshed and new display and merchandising units have been developed for use in dedicated corners or pop-up stores.
She is intent on extending the brand’s footprint in travel retail, with a focus on airport, railway station and cruise ship outlets. For the new lines, the brand is already collaborating with Lagardère Travel Retail and is finalising listings in the UK in Excess Baggage outlets at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 and Gatwick Airport North and South Terminals.
“We aim to be everywhere and anywhere there are people on the go. Our products are ideal travellers’ companions,” Petit concluded.
