MCM x LUAR: a match made at New York Fashion Week

MCM has collaborated with US fashion brand LUAR on a Spring/Summer 2027 luxury capsule collection featuring a new, vintage-inspired bag silhouette that debuted on the runway at New York Fashion Week.

The collaboration unveils the new Anima Leather Drawstring bag, reimagining six styles from the MCM archive and complementing American designer Raul Lopez’s bold, futuristic designs.

MCM x LUAR

“Fifty years of Munich heritage meet the instinct of a New York label that's still writing its first chapters,” said MCM of the partnership. “The MCM x LUAR collaboration is a conversation between these eras, resulting in a capsule collection that reworks the Haus's archival drawstring silhouette across new materials. Making a star-studded debut, these bags stunned on the runway, complementing innovative designs by Raul Lopez.”

With LUAR, MCM continues its legacy of “sophisticated rebellion and independent expression”, inviting a new generation to make its archive their own. 

“The fearless, forward-thinking vision of the two brands makes this collaboration kismet, arriving as MCM celebrates its 50th year,” MCM said.

The collection launches on 1 December 2026, online and at select MCM stores.

Mars Wrigley puts experiences first at Cannes

Mars Wrigley revealed the strength of its colourful power brands at the 2026 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, as it prioritises the confectionery category’s staying power in the channel.

Looking ahead to 2027, Mars Wrigley ITR plans to launch a 440g Twix White pouch with a handle, to tap into the fast-growing consumer preference for white chocolate. The travel-exclusive format is a convenient, shareable pouch tailored to travellers.

The company is also building on regional momentum with the recent launch of the Middle Eastern dessert-inspired Galaxy Pistachio Kunafa Pouch, following the success of Galaxy Kunafa as a top performer across select locations.

Mars Wrigley ITR has structured its gifting portfolio to span accessible entry-level options up to premium gifts. The new M&M’S Tin Collection features a tiered pricing model ranging from collectible souvenirs to larger family-sharing tins.

The Sense of Place range is being expanded with a bundle bag designed for the new small M&M’S tins at HPP activations, celebrating local culture through destination imagery, regional greetings and themed M&M’S characters.

M&M'S Eiffel Tower on display at the TFWA World Exhibition

Building on its global M&M’S Experience concept, which combines confectionery retail with gaming, Mars Wrigley ITR announced the upcoming opening of a new M&M’S Experience shop-in-shop at Kuwait International Airport, developed in partnership with Avolta. The opening marks the seventh M&M’S Experience location globally and the third in the Middle East.

The company reports that its multi-player M&M’S Playhub game generates over five hours of daily active playtime with a 40% repeat engagement rate, while the digital You & Who station sees half of all users send personalised video greetings to multiple recipients.

For 2027, Mars Wrigley ITR plans to introduce enhanced gifting stations that turn purchases into personalised travel memories, a deeper Sense of Place across fixtures and retail furniture to give each destination a unique look and feel, and new travel-exclusive items.

An De Volder, Market Director, Mars Wrigley ITR, said: “Confectionery already has a strong conversion in travel retail, but stopping shoppers is no longer enough to grow the category. We have seen first-hand that our M&M’S Experience locations have the power to outperform the category and deliver tangible growth. By combining an iconic global brand with meaningful dwell time, whether through gaming, personalisation or local Sense of Place, we are unlocking incremental growth for our airport and retail partners.”

Alongside M&M’S Experiences, Mars Wrigley ITR is rolling out HPP activations that feature destination-themed M&M’S tin statues tailored to their locations across international travel hubs. The concept is live at Copenhagen, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Singapore Changi and Kuala Lumpur International airports, with many more locations planned.

Cartwright & Butler refreshes brand identity

British biscuit and confectionery specialist Cartwright & Butler unveiled a refreshed brand identity at the 2026 TFWA World Exhibition, alongside new products and concepts designed for travellers.

Cartwright & Butler’s revamped visual identity – which made its global debut at the Cannes show on a new stand – introduces a more premium and contemporary expression of the brand’s distinctive English heritage.

The Cannes stand featured elegant archways and traditional detailing, combined with soft pastels, refined gold accents and colour-coded product zones, giving each product range a clear identity.

Cartwright & Butler’s ambition is to strengthen its premium positioning and grow global brand awareness.

Cartwright & Butler Pumpkin Spice biscuits

At Cannes, the company showcased its evolving product strategy across three key areas: F&B/snacking, affordable premium gifting and confectionery.

New twin-pack and single biscuit formats have been developed for complimentary and retail snacking menus, across different purchase occasions and price points.

Launches are planned with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, WHSmith and World Duty Free Group.

Building on its gifting portfolio, Cartwright & Butler presented fresh design concepts for destination-specific, sense-of-place products, alongside a new global travel retail-exclusive presentation, and fresh formats.

Within confectionery – a category earmarked for growth – Cartwright & Butler is expanding its focus on fudge, truffles and chocolate nuts, with new launches designed for all channels of the business.

Asia focus

The brand’s best-selling 200g Pastels biscuit tins are enhanced with new flavours, including Hazelnut & Chocolate and Maple & Pecan Dark Chocolate Biscuits, alongside seasonal innovations such as Pumpkin Spice.

Cartwright & Butler’s refreshed Shortbread Collection has delivered positive results in travel retail this year, following its relaunch with five sweet and one savoury flavour, supported by a successful debut HPP in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, the Great Britain range continues to drive both revenue and market share. New retailer-exclusive launches this year include the Ultra Thick Union Jack and Union Jack Duo Pack.

Cartwright & Butler’s August activations at London Heathrow T3 and T5 and London Stansted feature Avolta Great Britain products, with a new Spin the Wheel mechanic designed to drive interaction. In September 2026, the brand’s new snacking twin-pack will be promoted as part of the popular WHSmith meal deal offer.

Global Travel Retail Business Development Manager Julie Feryn commented: “Cannes is an important opportunity for us to showcase how Cartwright & Butler is evolving while staying true to the quality and craftsmanship that have always been at the heart of the brand. We are committed to leveraging the strong momentum we have built in travel retail over the past two years to extend our footprint internationally, with Asia and the Middle East among the key areas of focus."