Take heart from Godiva

Belgian chocolatier Godiva will be showcasing its Coeur Iconique Travel Exclusive Edition 2016 at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition in October. Following the success of its initial limited-edition Coeur Iconique launch in June 2015, this second prestige collection features two new and exclusive vintage chic designs. The heart-shaped boxes in elegant colourways are inspired by 2016 fashion colour trend predictions. The combination of the die-cut effect and soft-touch matte packaging seeks to create an eye-catching and tactile effect.

Godiva's Coeur iconique Travel Exclusive Edition 2016

Keepsake box

Coeur Iconique is one of Godiva’s best-loved and best-selling lines. Each box contains six praline or ganache hearts, two of each of milk, white and dark chocolate. Designed for gifting, the box can be kept as a keepsake.

Leen Baeten, senior marketing and business development global travel retail, said: “Coeur Iconique makes a delightful and thoughtful gift for travellers to take home to loved ones. Exquisite chocolates are a beautiful gift, appreciated the world over.”

The limited-edition Coeur Iconique Travel Exclusive 2016 collection will be launched in airports worldwide on January 4, 2016.

Morgan & Oates is tied up with unisex scarves

Cashmere specialist Morgan & Oates has unveiled details of its new Spring/Summer 2016 collection, focusing on lightweight scarves and wraps in bright colours and pastel shades. Having seen the success of its UK-made unisex scarves introduced last year, Morgan & Oates has expanded the collection to include fancy checks, black checks and stripes. The new range offers natural materials in a mixture of gentle checks, stripes and classic colours, in lightweight, summer cashmere blends.

Morgan & Oates unisex scarf in a check design

Made in the UK a USP

Kevin Galbraith, sales director worldwide, said: "Morgan & Oates has been producing high quality textiles in the UK for the past 40 years and we are proud to be one of the most renowned and reliable textile manufacturers in the UK. We are one of the few brands in travel retail that produce products that are Made in the UK, which gives us a real unique selling point. At Morgan & Oates we are always striving to ensure that our products are unique, yet provide a quality that you cannot find anywhere else.”

Exclusive to travel retail, the unisex scarf range is priced for impulse and gift purchasing and is currently listed in Europe with the airlines Lufthansa and KLM. The scarves measure 50cm x 200cm and are a blend of 10% cashmere and 90% merino. Additionally, new designs from the Cashmere & Merino collection include summer colours, including a raindrop design and a fashionable snakeskin design in soft grey. 

Bacardi Cruise Competition 2016 casts off

Bacardi Global Travel Retail has launched the world-renowned 2016 Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year. The annual event, now in its 11th year, is believed to be the longest-standing global competition dedicated to bartending in the cruise and ferry industry. “It is an integral part of the Bacardi strategy for continuous improvement, partnered with cruise and ferry lines to raise standards of professionalism and cocktail-making in this dynamic leisure sector,” the Bermuda-based spirits giant said.

This latest competition aligns it to the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, which recognises the best talent in the professional bartender community. Cocktail entries for the competition must therefore include Bacardi Superior rum or Bacardi Gold rum and are required to be geared towards becoming the next Legacy cocktail on a par with classics such as the Bacardi Daiquiri and the Bacardi Cuba Libre.

Bacardi Travel Retail Americas Zachary Sulkes

Helping create memories to treasure

Zachary Sulkes, regional manager Bacardi Travel Retail Americas, explained the purpose of the competition. "We are witnessing a surge in the number of ambitious bartenders in the cruise and ferry sector dedicated to their own professional development with the support of their employers, supporting them as they hone their craft, mixology and presentation skills," he said. "The results are win-wins for all concerned, ultimately offering onboard guests a choice of fantastic cocktail experiences that add a new level of sophistication to their vacation and help create memories to treasure.”

The closing date for entries is November 6, 2015, when judges from Bacardi will select a shortlist of three cocktails. The bartender creators of those cocktails will work with Bacardi on a three-month promotional plan before travelling to Miami for the Bacardi Legacy Competition Cruise Finals in February 2016. The overall winner will travel to San Francisco for the Bacardi Legacy Competition Global Finals in April 2016 where they will compete against the final 35 country winner bartenders from around the globe.

Past winners and finalists of the Bacardi Cruise Competition have progressed to compete successfully in many international competitions. Entries are invited via http://www.bacardicruisecompetition.com/

MCM's Bangkok backpack is a rhapsody in blue

MCM has opened its first boutique in Bangkok at the world-class entertainment, shopping and dining destination, the EMQuartier. To toast the boutique première, the German luxury brand has introduced an exclusive limited-edition backpack model in Thai blue, “designed for dynamism and decadence”, the company says. Only 100 pieces are available.

MCM special-edition BKK backpack

Representing royalty, solidarity, prosperity

The design of the BKK backpack is a nod to Thai blue, representing royalty, solidarity and prosperity. The blue hue signifies the historic monarchy and symbolises Friday and Saturday within Thailand’s national colours of the day. To be born on these days is considered to be auspicious – with several kings, queens, princes and princesses born on these days.

Using MCM’s signature Dual Stark shape, the multi-functional backpack has a detachable front pocket that doubles as a cross-body bag. The two-in-one design is embellished with pyramid-shaped studs on the front featuring alternating silver and graphite metallics. Crafted with a coated canvas body and leather trim, the BKK backpack features four interior pockets, including a padded technology compartment.

Bacardi offers a taste of LA nightlife

Bacardi staged a peak summer holiday event at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) called Cocktails of the World – a destination-focused promotion specially created with DFS to express the city’s famous nightlife. Running throughout July and August at Tom Bradley International Terminal, Cocktails of the World gave travellers the chance to sample premium brands in malt whisky, rum and vodka, including Glen Deveron 16yo, Dewar’s 15yo and Bacardi Gran Reserva Ocho Años, all selected to reflect the character of the city. But the biggest star of the West Coast show was the new luxury spirit Grey Goose VX.

Los Angeles airport travellers sample Grey Goose VX

A uniquely local encounter

The multi-faceted promotion incorporated a traditional on-the-rocks theme, offering shoppers a sophisticated flavour of the city. The in-store Mix It Bar aimed to attract people through its impactful visuals and premium fixtures, complemented by specialist staff. The bar experience guided customers through the rituals of the ideal serve, including advice on how to recreate the experience at home. The activation also featured recipe cards, gift boxes and gwps, including a stylish Grey Goose branded duffle bag.

Parker Gundersend, vice president for DFS North America, said: “This is a luxurious experience that has delighted shoppers at the Tom Bradley International Terminal, giving them a uniquely local encounter and an entertaining and memorable farewell from Los Angeles. We are delighted to partner with Bacardi in creating initiatives that drive category growth through differentiation, delivering unique experiences that truly resonate with the traveller.”

Geoff Biggs, regional director, Americas Bacardi Global Travel Retail, highlighted how the tasting encounter strengthened the customer experience: “Cocktails of the World is a stylish and entertaining way to engage consumers new to the Bacardi portfolio and also to demonstrate to those already familiar with the selected brands the ideal way to enjoy them, particularly in the classic on the rocks style that is instantly understood and accessible to all. Our insight programme shows that an expertly guided tasting experience is the most effective way to engage, convince and convert the consumer, leading to greatly enhanced brand advocacy.

“Working closely with DFS we ensured a truly high class, personalised service experience for the consumer, with immaculate presentation and exceptional service to enhance the brand adventure and demonstrate how easy it is to replicate the perfect classic serve at home. We’ve seen a great response at LAX, not only in driving sales and brand awareness but also in the array of ecstatic comments from consumers who thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Bacardi Global Travel Retail and DFS have also partnered to create upcoming Cocktails of the World presentations at the key airport gateways of Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong.

DFS shoppers enjoy a Royal experience

Following the world-first launch of Royal Brackla Highland single malt whisky with top travel retailer DFS in September, shoppers at Singapore Changi airport have been enjoying the opportunity to discover this range of rare and regal spirits from one of Scotland’s oldest and most venerable distilleries. The brand has a unique heritage including the longest held royal whisky warrant. The launch in Changi engages shoppers with the heritage of the three expressions: 12yo, 16yo and 21yo.

A digital ad announces the Royal Brackla promotion at Changi airport

Royal serve ritual

Reflecting the ultra-premium position of the brand dubbed ‘The King’s Own Whisky’, the in-store theatre involves brand ambassadors showcasing the range to shoppers using tutored tastings and a royal serve ritual. The spirit is served in a traditional silver quaich epitomising the expression that “Kings drink out of a quaich, not a glass”, and drops of water are added from a crystal decanter. A gift with purchase of a luxury travel bag and an engraved quaich are also being offered. To complete the experience, shoppers are presented with a commemorative card that houses a Polaroid photo of themselves with the quaich and tasting notes.

On 18 September, Royal Brackla brand ambassador Fergus Luckyn-Malone travelled from Scotland to lead a day of in-store activity. He shared the brand story with shoppers, signing bottles and gift cards.

An engraved quaich is offered as a gwp

Original and compelling offering

Wilcy Wong, DFS managing director for Singapore and Indonesia, noted the success of the activation. “We’re excited to host the world-first launch of Royal Brackla, especially at our new flagship duplex store and Raffles Long Bar, where we are setting a high standard for the quality of execution we are asking of our brand partners,” she said. “This unique, royal connection brings a totally original and compelling offering to our customers and we’re delighted to see how much they are enjoying the experience.”

Irving Holmes Wong, regional director Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Bacardi Global Travel Retail, added: “Royal Brackla is literally the crowning glory in our range of discovery malts from the John Dewar & Sons whisky portfolio and we’re immensely proud to be launching it to the world here at Changi with DFS, a retailer who fully understands luxury. Our partnership with DFS in this launch delivers a truly regal consumer experience befitting the discerning traveller in Asia Pacific. Shopper reception to ‘The King’s Own Whisky’ is incredibly positive and a clear indicator of the level of sophistication of travellers in this region.”

New whisky celebrates Singapore’s Golden Jubilee

This summer, Diageo launched a further edition in the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Collection, celebrating Singapore, ahead of August’s SG50 celebrations marking the nation’s 50th birthday. This new release, embellished with a Jeff Nishinaka-inspired design, brings to life the iconic Singapore skyline.

A striking window display for the Singapore edition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label's Cities Collection

Handcrafted paper sculpture

Large-scale activations of the Cities Collection were hosted by travel retailer DFS and Changi Airport Group at Singapore Changi airport, including a striking window display featuring Jeff Nishinaka’s Singapore cityscape handcrafted paper sculpture in Terminal 3, and displays in all departures and arrivals stores in all terminals. 

Exclusively available at Changi airport

Peter Fairbrother, global marketing director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “Following the success of the 2013 Johnnie Walker Blue Label Skyline Collection, and the recent launch of the Dubai edition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Collection, we are immensely proud to offer this Singapore SG50 Limited Edition Design, in close partnership with DFS and Changi Airport Group. This series beautifully brings to life some of the most iconic travel destinations in the world, therefore it is only fitting that it is exclusive to travel retail. As such it serves as a unique souvenir of a great journey or to mark an historic occasion: Singapore’s Golden Jubilee.”

The Singapore edition of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Collection is exclusively available at Changi airport, retailing at S$288.