Chivas Regal unveils limited-edition charity gift tin

Best-selling whisky brand Chivas Regal has partnered with premium audio producer LSTN Sound Co to develop a range of accessories to celebrate their shared passion for craftsmanship, style and generosity.

The creative partnership is part of Chivas Regal’s initiative, Generosity: Amplified, which aims to raise funds for Starkey Hearing Foundation, a pioneering charity that has provided more than 1.8m hearing aids and care to people in need in the last 30 years. The two firms have collaborated to create a limited-edition Chivas 12yo gift tin, a line of handcrafted headphones and a custom-designed luxury record console.

Chivas Regal's Generosity: Amplified gift tin

Headphones feature upcycled elements

A percentage of profits from each pair of headphones and every tin as well as 100% of the console sale price will be donated directly to Starkey Hearing Foundation, to help continue to give the gift of sound to people around the world. Through the Generosity: Amplified partnership, Chivas Regal and LSTN Sound Co are helping Starkey Hearing Foundation achieve their goal of supplying 1m hearing aids to those in need this decade.

The limited-edition gift tin features a new square-to-round shape and images of a deconstructed set of headphones to highlight the theme of sound. The specially crafted headphones use elements of upcycled American oak whisky casks and are modelled on LSTN Sound Co’s best-selling troubadour shape.

The Generosity: Amplified limited-edition gift tin is available globally now. Pernod Ricard is marking the travel retail launch with activations in Budapest and Munich in November, followed by London, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Brussels and Beirut in December. The console and a limited run of headphones are available to buy now from www.lstnsound.co.

Introducing Kurate International

JCI Jewellery, the jewellery and watch specialist making waves in the travel retail industry, is undergoing a complete company rebrand. Moving away from its established name and brand image, JCI Jewellery will now be known as Kurate International Ltd.

Sitting under the Kurate International umbrella will be its three main travel retail brands, Aeon, YOU and Moon. The travel retail channel is one of the fastest-growing and most important parts of its business. With a growing team, and a fresh direction, Kurate International says it is in a strong position.

Exclusive to travel retail: Aeon daisy set

Growth in travel retail

Announcing the news at the 2016 TFWA World Exhibition in October, Kurate Key Account Manager Claire O’Donnell explained: “A lot has changed in our company over the past 18 months, we have entered new countries and met new customers from all over the world, exhibiting in Hong Kong, Singapore and Cannes. This company rebrand has been prompted by this development and growth across our domestic, international and travel retail divisions.”

She added: “Change can be difficult yet exciting, and we are fully embracing this new image, knowing it fits us much better for now, and the future. The name Kurate suits what we do as a company; developing new products and the best collections that we can. It’s a description of our past and our future – a whole new step.”

JCI Jewellery, established in 1985, is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and wholesalers of 9ct gold and sterling silver jewellery, offering more than 2,500 products to over 2,000 customers in the UK and Ireland.

Aeon charm necklaces

Aeon brand sets the trend

At the Cannes fair, Kurate’s travel retail exclusive brand Aeon Jewellery introduced key on-trend pieces to meet the layering and stacking demand. The broadened Aeon range now includes the Fortune Collection.

The new collection focuses on a whimsical assortment of sweet charm necklaces and bracelets, all aiming to express love, luck and guidance to those that wear them. Designed to add a meaningful touch to every traveller's jewellery collection, each delicate motif can be bought as a gift for a loved one or as a self-treat.

O’Donnell said: “We pride ourselves on being one of the most on-trend jewellery brands in travel retail; one that works closely with its inflight partners to ensure we always offer the best collections for the customer demographics. We have a hard-working team that is constantly anticipating up-and-coming trends and style demands to create jewellery that we know will work for the inflight channel. For 2017, the trend to layer and stack of jewellery, along with multi-pendant necklaces is set to be high, so our new Fortune Collection is an ideal addition to next year’s inflight catalogue.”

The collection includes rose gold and gold-plated necklaces, each decorated with delicate coloured stones and pave crystal details. Friendship bracelet sets will also feature.

Furla plays to the personalisation trend

Furla showcased a special-edition collection of its Metropolis shoulder bags that can be personalised with different flaps, called #myplayfurla, at the recent TFWA World Exhibition.

With #myplayfurla, the customer chooses the colour of the main body of the bag and then selects their desired flap, which is then snapped onto the main body. The seven different flaps are heavily decorated and embroidered and are country-specific. The countries include China, Japan, Africa and India. This collection is being launched in January into travel retail as well as the domestic market. Furla is making a special design for its opening at Harrods in London Heathrow Airport.

Furla's #myplayfurla collection [Picture courtesy Essential Communications]

"Tremendous progress"

The #myplayfurla collection was on show at the Cannes fair in October, where Global Travel Retail Director Gerry Munday spoke of the “tremendous progress” Furla has made in travel retail again this year, which reflects the upward momentum of the brand globally.

“The growth this year – especially given the challenging environment that we all face – has been incredible,” she told a press conference. “We’ve seen another 38% increase in travel retail turnover for the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year, while the group as a whole is up 28%, so we’re growing ahead of the company.”

By the end of 2016, Furla will have 269 travel retail doors. Munday said that growth was coming from “everywhere”. This year, up to the end of August, the brand opened 22 new sales points in 20 locations from generic stores to personalised corners and boutiques. “They include all five continents, from Sydney to Casablanca, from Siem Reap to Birmingham, from Mexico to Dubai, from Budapest to Myanmar. We’ve also expanded our cruise business with a corner on the Queen Mary 2, while our inflight business, through our partners SKYlink, has grown from 10 to 40 airlines.”

Most of the growth is coming from Asia, Munday continued, but Europe is “surprisingly strong” and the rest of the year would see openings with Gebr Heinemann at Cairo, Harrods at London Gatwick South, IDFS at Marrakesh Menara, Shilla at Phuket (now open), and Top Pintercaioal LTDA at Manaus International Airport.

Munday noted that the US was the smallest market, but she was confident that the brand would see good growth in this region as well.

The Erica travel retail exclusive bag for Spring/Summer 2017

Travel retail exclusive products performing well

During the Cannes show, Furla showcased the Spring/Summer 17 collection, and also the ongoing development of its travel retail exclusive bag, which changes with each collection. For SS17, the company has introduced the Erica bag. This sits alongside the inflight exclusive products, which continue to perform well thanks to SKYlink, she said.

The Erica model is described as a small, sophisticated and extremely functional handbag in three bright colourways, each with an external pouch in a contrasting colour. The style has two compartments plus one secured with a zip for organising personal belongings.

The SS17 mainline collection, launching in January, is inspired by Arabian architecture, tribal prints, hot desert sun, lush floral colours and wild animal coats.

Bags become more functional than ever with softer and lighter materials and an emphasis on styles which leave the hands free while travelling: backpacks, cross-bodies, and reporters. At the same time, the collection is more decorative with lines defined by embroidery, lace, laser perforation, and adornments such as tassels, fringes, charms and knots. New leathers and materials see Gomma PVC combined with vit. Oasis calfskin; inflatable bags in metallic and bright colours; and strong fabrics inspired by weaving and rope techniques.

Throughout the season the palette develops from soft romantic shades to hot summer colours. Neutrals such as Petalo, Acero, Moonstone, Cappuccino and Sabbia contrast with Pesci, Ruby, Blu Ginepri and Malachite. As the season moves on, stronger colours such as Mango, Senape, Torches and Navy are introduced, while by mid-summer desert sand colours combine with sun golds and night silvers to reflect the moon and stars. Similarly, prints journey through soft lace and denim to animal (St Giaguaro, St Zebra, St Pitone), stronger graphic designs, and weave fabrics.

Collaboration with fashion illustrator

Newness is found in terms of shapes, materials and function. Metropolis remains a top-selling style for Furla. Metropolis Mask results from a collaboration with graphic fashion illustrator Domenico Principato, who has created three prints mixing tribal elements with shaman masks. The bags are available as a mini cross-body or shoulder bag.

Totes are important for SS17. A new style, Lucky, has a strong identity with strong solid, colour-block and graphic designs enriched with stud details. In the vit. Fleu Soft leather model, this iconic and functional shape is expected to appeal to women of all ages and regions.

Totes also feature in Vittoria, along with new drawstring shapes that give the style a fresh look. Lightweight, unlined construction along with a detachable internal pouch makes this a functional yet stylish bag. For glamorous nights, Vittoria Glam in vit. Fleu Soft Resinato with a woven panel is inspired by tribal elements. It is available in solid colours or colour-block variations.

For the business traveller, whether man or woman, the offer has no defined boundaries between the sexes. Soft leathers in smooth or grained, ostrich prints and waterproof fabrics are used for a range of business and casual bags.

The collection is completed by a full range of small leathergoods, textiles and – for SS17 – a wider range of men’s belts. Reversible and fully adjustable with a choice of buckle designs, materials and colours, belts are expected to be one of the biggest growth sectors in travel retail, and ideal for both ground and inflight sales, said Munday.

Grey Goose flies high in festive event at Bangkok

In its first major festive campaign at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bacardi has partnered with King Power for a two-month focus on Grey Goose vodka in the run-up to the busy holiday period.

The campaign, which highlights a limited-edition gift pack depicting the Bangkok skyline, is running in two in-store locations from November 1 to December 31. 

Grey Goose gets festive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Growing appeal of cocktails and white spirits in South East Asia

A team of Grey Goose ambassadors are interacting with shoppers to encourage conversion across the range, including Grey Goose Interpreted by Ducasse and Grey Goose VX.

Vinay Golikeri, Regional Director Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “As the category leader, Grey Goose has enormous appeal across a wide demographic, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi is very attractive space for us to engage with these shoppers. It’s a perfect time of year for us to engage with shoppers leaving the vibrant city of Bangkok.

“The bespoke Grey Goose Bangkok limited-edition gift pack is a global travel retail exclusive which we are proud to launch in partnership with King Power Thailand. Based on past experience, Grey Goose is proven to drive sales where it is given the optimal space, range and activation, and we are very excited about what this campaign will deliver with King Power in Bangkok.”

Pichai Pitakchaisuk, Executive Vice President of King Power, added that the popularity of white spirits was growing in the region: “We are very excited to bring Grey Goose to life in-store at a time when super-premium vodka is enjoying enormous popularity, thanks in particular to the growing appeal of cocktails and white spirits in South East Asia.

“It’s very likely that our more discerning shoppers will have seen Grey Goose on the shelves of Bangkok’s finest cocktail bars and so there’s an instant synergy with this in-store promotion. Equally, there’s huge appeal to present this global brand to the growing number of Asian shoppers embracing the new trend of home cocktail-making.”

Grey Goose is the best-selling vodka brand and the fastest-growing top five spirit brand in travel retail (source: IWSR 2016).

Next stop Sydney Airport for Bombay Sapphire's virtual reality campaign

In other news, Bacardi has chosen Sydney Airport as the next destination for its Bombay Sapphire virtual reality shopper campaign, following its success at London Heathrow Terminal 5 in September.

The campaign seeks to bring to life the gin brand’s home at Laverstoke Mill in the UK, and educate travellers with a different experience.

Working in partnership with Gebr Heinemann and taking prime promotional space in-store, the month-long campaign majors on brand sampling of “The Ultimate Bombay and Tonic”, together with the virtual reality experience of a Laverstoke Mill fly-through on Oculus Rift headwear.

As well as providing travellers with recipe instructions on how to make the perfect gin and tonic at home, tip cards also highlight the top 10 bars in Sydney to enjoy a Bombay Sapphire and tonic. 

In-store ambassadors are offering tasting experiences, including a 50:50 Star of Bombay and tonic ratio, finished with orange zest, to showcase the smoothness of the latest gin in the family. 

Star of Bombay was recently awarded the London Dry Gin Trophy 2016 and a Gold Outstanding medal 2016 by the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

A passenger at Sydney Airport experiences Bombay Sapphire virtual reality

Elevating the traveller's experience

Vinay Golikeri, Regional Director Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa at Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “Bombay Sapphire enjoys enormous popularity in Australia and this campaign capitalises on one of the busiest months of the year at Sydney Airport, enabling us to reach and engage with Bombay Sapphire fans flying out of the city. 

“The virtual reality experience is creating a real buzz in-store and is a perfect opener for our retail ambassadors to continue the brand conversation with shoppers as they move on to taste and discover their ultimate gin and tonic from the Bombay range.”

He added: “The tip cards highlighting top bar venues in Sydney are part of our strategy to elevate the traveller’s experience by considering their broader journey.”  

Constantin Wiesmann, Managing Director of Heinemann Australia, said: “We’re delighted to be running another core focus on Bombay Sapphire, following great success earlier in the year. It’s a very popular brand with our shoppers and the creative twist in this campaign adds something new and memorable, helping elevate the shopping experience here at Sydney.”

Gin has seen double-digit growth in Australia – over four times faster than other spirits – with Bombay Sapphire delivering over one third of the growth (source: IWSR domestic market report 2015).

Bric’s taps into millennials in Moleskine collaboration

Two iconic Italian brands have teamed up on a new, urban-inspired collection for the millennial consumer.

“Metropolitan landscapes and nomadic lifestyles for everyday and extraordinary journeys.” This is the philosophy of the new Moleskine by Bric’s capsule collection, which includes what the Italian travel lifestyle brand Bric’s describes as “bleisure” (business travel and leisure) bags and trolleys, inspired by the famous, trendy Moleskine notebooks.

Moleskine by Bric's capsule collection

Technical touches for an urban vibe

Moleskine by Bric’s targets the contemporary millennial consumer, spanning creatives and trendsetters. The collection is divided into two categories: business and travel. Each category features soft-sided and hard-sided items, made from technical fabric and polycarbonate, respectively, and produced in black with fluorescent details.

The business category includes internal compartments that vary according to the function and size of the items in use and include several multi-compartment bags. It also includes three backpacks – a sling, a classic and a squared backpack with external pockets – a briefcase, a cross-body, a messenger, a tote, a business weekender, a special RFID pouch that can be used either separately or attached to the inside to prevent scanning of credit card information, and a hard-sided trolley featuring a front pocket with organiser.

The travel category includes two sets of trolleys: one soft-sided and one hard-sided. They come in cabin, medium and large sizes, equipped with spinning wheels and a customised multi-step pull-handle system with a customised rubber handle grip.

The soft-sided trolleys are made from nylon and are lightweight and unstructured. The hard-sided trolleys are made from polycarbonate and have an embossed anti-scratch Moleskine logo pattern, matte black aluminium corner protectors and a double-deck organiser that has been designed with the characteristic fluorescent contrasts.

The technical fabric of the soft-sided items consists of a blend of opaque nylon and cotton, with a water-repellent coating. The hard-sided trolley polycarbonate frame aims to deliver light weight, versatility and robustness. The trims, including handles and accents, are made from leather and come in a matte finish. The waterproof, polyurethane-coated zipper adds another technical touch to the collection and aids in delivering an urban vibe.

Leather is used abundantly in the retro-inspired Bellagio collection

New colours for the retro-chic Bellagio range

Meanwhile, Bric’s Bellagio line of vintage-looking travel bags includes high-performance polycarbonate trolleys in four sizes. They feature smooth Japanese wheels, a new TSA-approved lock, and leather-coated handles. The trolley interior has a soft lining with herringbone pattern. A small hot-printed leather pocket (which can be used to store business cards) bears the Bric’s name and recalls the company’s experience in travel items since 1952. New colours include shiny red and shiny grey.

The Bellagio Metallo collection by Bric’s also has updated features. The ultra-light trolley with aluminium frame is designed to be the most advanced in terms of looks and performance. Frame, locks and details are designed to satisfy the most demanding traveller.

Bellagio Metallo is offered in three high-shine colours that give a stronger look thanks to the aluminium frame: silver and blue with tobacco-coloured leather trimmings, and black with black leather trimmings.

A unisex approach to travel: Bric's Pastello collection

Multi-functional XBag and XTravel lines get an update

This functional and versatile collection encompasses practical items, made of waterproof nylon satin, with leather trimmings.

XTravel offers three four-wheeled trolleys available in different sizes: a two-wheeled trolley, a holdall with wheels, a pilot case, a travel kit and a carry on holdall with detachable strap. The XTravel collection introduces three new business models: two standard briefcases and a business tote, all with PC/iPad holder.

The XBag collection completes the travel offer thanks to two comfortable carry-on bags with long handles which can be carried over the shoulder, and offers a wide range of bags that focus on the two key concepts of the line: functionality and transformability.

Their distinctive feature is cross-functionality: an inside pocket, applied with two snap fasteners, can be used as a utility case or a mini bag (and is included in all the accessories of the range), and thanks to their adjustable straps equipped with snap fasteners, all bags can be carried by hand, over the shoulder or across the body.

For the Spring/Summer 2017 season, the XTravel and XBag collections have denim-effect leather trims in the solid denim version, while the iconic tobacco leather trims come in mustard and ecru colours. Linings are in contrasting orange with the denim colour, yellow with mustard. All come with tan leather trim.

The Pastello collection, a creative variation of the XBag – XTravel concept, results from a style research process, an in-depth analysis of trends, and a renewal of colours. A new chequered pattern has been designed for this collection, hand made by using the watercolour technique. A selection of colours revolves around a different main nuance, enriched by contrasting strokes of colour. The choice of colours easily mixes and matches with the XBag and XTravel collections, with both seasonal and carry-on colours.

Designed for a unisex approach to travel, the colour palette is inspired by blue and denim shades, using orange as a contrasting colour both on the chequered pattern and on the inner lining. Hardware is in nickel; plastic details are black and trimmings are made from dark blue leather.

Tobacco-coloured leather is the iconic Bric’s colour. In a playful combination, tobacco is made “vivid and funny” by yellow and fuchsia details, the company said. The lining is yellow, while the hardware is light gold.

In addition, touches of light and dark red and burgundy, with contrasting yellow and violet elements, make the offer more feminine and summery. The leather used for the logo, handles and zip puller is dark red, while the hardware is in nickel and the lining is pink.

The Pastello line is developed around the XBag – XTravel collection best-sellers: four trolleys available in different sizes, hold-all bags with leather or webbing handles, two backpacks, one travel bag with organised compartments, two shopping bags, one Fly bag, one small shoulder tote and a wash kit, all made in soft nylon.

“Incredible” expansion in China

Since October 2015, Bric’s has continued its expansion with recent travel retail store openings, including Milan Malpensa Airport in partnership with Dufry, which has become an important customer, according to Bric’s Travel Retail Manager Michele Maccapani. Other airport openings are Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Hamburg, Marrakesh, Sochi, St Petersburg, Mumbai and Guadeloupe.

Asia has seen “incredible” growth for the brand, enthused Maccapani, as the company has opened some 20 shops in mainland China. In the domestic market, a new store has begun trading at the Venetian Hotel shopping mall in Macau, and Bric’s is set to open in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.

The company is also speaking with other leading operators for yet more travel retail openings, so stay tuned.

Coach showcases travel retail exclusives

Coach exhibited its Spring 2017 travel retail exclusive collection at the recent TFWA World Exhibition, comprising three fresh silhouettes: a Turnlock chain tote, a Gazette cross-body and a cross-body clutch. 

Made of high quality leather, the three shapes are exclusively available in two brand new colours for the Spring season, coral and stone. Two existing silhouettes have also been added to the Spring 17 collection, the passport case/luggage tag set and the keep all, which are both available in the two new colours.

Coach Travel Exclusive collection [All pictures courtesy of Tilly Holland, Essential Communications]

Superior craftsmanship

To underline the craftsmanship and authenticity, each Spring 17 Coach bag now has a storypatch, a 59mm x 45mm patch of leather in the interior that reads: “This is a limited edition Coach bag. It was handcrafted from the finest materials. Its superior craftsmanship and attention to detail reflect our commitment to enduring quality.”

Coach handbags at the TFWA World Exhibition

Travel retail a "very important" channel

Paulo Colino, Vice President of Coach International, said travel retail exclusives were a key part of the brand’s strategy for the channel. “In the past our travel retail exclusive line used to compose of an exclusive colour for items that were offered in the domestic market,” he said. “In April we launched our Travel Exclusive collection, where we offer exclusive styles of handbags and accessories that cannot be found in other channels. We have had a lot of positive feedback and seen a lot of success, so we are confident that our Spring 17 exclusive collection will add to this.”

The men's and unisex bag collection

New Burgundy fashion colour

Coach also showcased its Fall 2016 Travel Exclusive collection, which includes the Sophia tote and travel wallet, boxed passport and luggage tag set in the new Burgundy fashion colour.

“Travel retail is a very important channel for Coach,” said Colino. “We have been present in the channel for over 20 years, and today have more than 120 shops in 30 countries, most of them with a full boutique set-up. TFWA World Exhibition is the biggest highlight of the travel retail calendar; we view it as an essential show in order for us to expand our business globally, meet our current customers and gain insights into channel itself.”

Martell unveils limited edition with house music duo

In partnership with French house music duo Cassius, Cognac house Martell has launched Martell La French Touch by Cassius – a limited-edition VSOP housed in a striking flacon that celebrates the French art de vivre.

The new limited edition, available in global travel retail, is the second collaboration with a musician following the launch of Martell La French Touch by Etienne de Crécy, another pioneering figure in the French Touch electro music movement.

Striking: La French Touch by Martell x Cassius

La French Touch by Martell x Cassius features eye-popping colours and creativity. Designed by Cassius, it is described as “an electrifying mix of pulsating graphics and colours which simultaneously excites and intrigues”.

To mark the launch, Pernod Ricard Travel Retail EMEA has partnered with headphone specialist Bowers & Wilkins and offered travellers at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 the opportunity to enjoy a Cognac-music pairing experience, tune into an exclusive playlist, trial specially created Martell VSOP cocktails and win instant prizes at a pop-up activation.

A promotion, which ran until November 2, asked visitors to the pop-up to upload a clip to social media of them dancing and listening to the exclusive playlist to win a Bowers & Wilkins headset worth £119.

MCM toasts 40 years of opulence and glamour

German-born luxury brand MCM has celebrated its 40th anniversary in style with a special evening in its hometown of Munich, Germany, attended by a host of fashion stars.

Founded in 1976 in the Bavarian capital’s hedonistic heyday, MCM owes its inspirational founding elements to the city, which has long combined a passion for glamour, music, fashion and travel with traditions of high quality craftsmanship, refinement, opulence and good design.

In a fitting homecoming, leading cultural and fashion luminaries including style icon Claudia Schiffer attended a glittering after-hours party at the company’s flagship store in the heart of the city, Brienner Strasse 1. The exclusive reception embraced MCM’s current collection theme of Munich Epoque, with invited press, influencers and friends of the brand dressing up for an opulent and glamorous evening.  

MCM's Chief Visionary Officer Sung-Joo Kim with supermodel Claudia Schiffer 

Collaborating with leading creative talents

Following the cocktail reception, MCM’s Chief Visionary Officer Sung-Joo Kim invited friends of the brand such as Michael Michalsky, Creative Adviser at MCM, and actor Max von Thun to an intimate dinner at the world-famous Munich Residenz, a former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs.

The gala event, held inside one of the city’s most dazzling architectural gems, symbolised the company’s pride in its German roots, marking four successful decades of style and innovation.

MCM has grown to become a global 21st century brand, and is currently sold in 430 stores in 35 countries. In a nod to the Munich-based artists, musicians and jetset crowd that embraced MCM from the outset, the company continues to collaborate with leading creative talents from Germany and beyond.

The anniversary year began with a limited-edition collaboration with renowned German contemporary artist Tobias Rehberger, followed by a critically-acclaimed capsule collection by British fashion designer Christopher Raeburn. Both projects reinterpreted the brand’s history of bold, aspirational design for today’s global nomads – a very fitting tribute to four decades of MCM.

MCM CEO Paolo Fontanelli with Kenny Kim [Pictures: Lennart Preiss/Getty Images for MCM]