Ferrero unveils next wave of novelties at TFWA

Ferrero Travel Market introduced its latest innovations across confectionery, biscuits and digital engagement at the 2026 TFWA World Exhibition.

A key focus at this year's fair was the expansion of Ferrero's biscuit offering, spearheaded by the global roll-out of Kinder Crunchy Cookies, which scales up the company’s pioneering La Biscotteria concept.

Kinder Crunchy Cookies

Kinder Crunchy Cookies made its travel retail debut last year exclusively with Avolta, and joins the company’s portfolio with global availability from September 2026.

The product is offered in a 136g snacking format with packaging developed exclusively for the travel retail channel.

A new Kinder experience

Kinder Crispy has joined its travel retail portfolio with global availability, following its debut last year exclusively in partnership with Gebr Heinemann.

The product features layers of creamy milk filling, cocoa and hazelnut filling, crispy wafer, milk chocolate and biscuit crumbs.

Kinder Crispy

Recognising the growing importance of connected consumer experiences, Ferrero has introduced a Kinder digital game that extends shopper engagement beyond the point of purchase.

Designed to create an interactive experience both in-store and afterwards, the game incorporates digital touchpoints designed to deepen brand connection throughout the traveller journey.

Sustainability advances

Alongside its product innovations, Ferrero highlighted continued progress across its global sustainability strategy, demonstrating advances in responsible sourcing, packaging circularity, and support for farming communities.

Some 92.9% of its packaging is designed for recyclability, reusability or compostability, while the redesign of the signature Ferrero Rocher boxes contributed to a reduction of 16,000 tonnes of plastic cumulatively since September 2021.

In addition, Ferrero’s Save the Children programme in Côte d’Ivoire is set to reach 235 cocoa-producing communities by 2030.

Sergio Salvagno, General Manager of Ferrero Travel Market, said: “By combining product innovation, digital engagement and category expansion, we continue to create value for our retail partners, while offering travellers exciting reasons to discover and enjoy our brands. We also remain committed to embedding sustainability across our business."

Oribe brings next-gen innovation to travel retail

Oribe Hair Care put its latest breakthrough innovation, Hair Alchemy Bond Building Elixir, at the heart of its travel retail proposition at the 2026 TFWA World Exhibition, as the luxury brand continues to build its presence in the channel.

Launched in July 2026, Hair Alchemy Bonding Elixir is a treatment clinically proven to restore broken and weak bonds. Joining Oribe’s best-selling Hair Alchemy collection, this latest innovation works within the hair fibre to restore all three key bonds for stronger, more resilient, healthier-looking hair.

Oribe Hair Alchemy Bonding Elixir

Powered by encapsulated Time-Release Strengthening Technology, the elixir continuously infuses hair with powerful actives, gradually diffusing botanicals into the hair fibre to deliver sustained nourishment over time. Eleven amino acids and Oribe’s Holistic Rebonding Complex help improve hair’s tensile strength, elasticity and flexibility, with the Hair Alchemy System clinically shown to reduce hair breakage by 71% after five uses.

Designed to offer a luxury interpretation of the increasingly important bond-building category, the formula combines precision technology with a skincare-inspired texture. Its curative blend of chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo and plant-based protein helps strengthen hair from within, while sodium hyaluronate delivers moisture for plump, smooth and soft strands.

Hair Alchemy Bond Building Elixir is housed in recyclable glass, reflecting the brand’s commitment to more considered approaches to luxury and product design.

The hero launch arrives as Oribe enters a significant new chapter. In July, Oribe unveiled a fresh visual and creative era inspired by co-founder and late celebrity hairstylist Oribe Canales’ signature ‘rough luxury’ aesthetic. The editorial-style Hair Alchemy Bond Building Elixir campaign uses the strength and resilience at the heart of Hair Alchemy as a metaphor for transformation, while introducing a sharper, more distinctive expression of the brand.

MCM makes its mark at Frieze Week Seoul

MCM celebrated its official partnership with Frieze Week Seoul 2026 by hosting an exhibition from a leading Korean artist at its South Korean flagship boutique.

Kim Chang-ok: Traces of Comfort took place at MCM HAUS in Cheongdam, as part of MCM's 50th anniversary celebrations, emphasising the brand's commitment to bridging fashion, nature and contemporary craft.

South Korean actor Teo Yoo takes in Kim Chang-ok: Traces of Comfort

Marking his first solo exhibition as a visual artist, Kim Chang-ok works in ottchil, a traditional Asian lacquer that gains its depth through repeated layering, waiting and marking – a process shaped as much by nature as by the artist himself.

Korean celebrities, including actor Teo Yoo and singers Lee Ye-chan and Jo Yu-ri, attended the exhibition to view the curated works.

The exhibition was open to the public until September 27.

MCM goes back to its roots for Oktoberfest

MCM, the German luxury brand born in Munich, is celebrating the annual Oktoberfest festival with a new partnership honouring Bavarian culture.

The MCM x Alpenherz capsule collection features three sophisticated dirndl dresses, an exclusive Aren Oktoberfest Crossbody and a pretzel charm.

Exclusive: MCM x Alpenherz

“Oktoberfest has always been the world’s stage for Bavarian culture and this year, MCM and Alpenherz bring their shared roots to that spotlight. Uniting haus codes with Alpenherz’s dirndl expertise, this limited-edition collection is built for women who honour tradition without being defined by it,” said MCM.

The dirndls have detachable sleeves, versatile silhouettes and a shared diamond motif so they can be styled to suit the wearer.

The collection is available at MCM stores across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, online at mcmworldwide.com, or at Alpenherz and Breuninger.

Sensai spotlights global growth ambitions at TFWA fair

Japanese luxury skincare and make-up brand Sensai is returning to the 2026 TFWA World Exhibition under the Kao beauty portfolio, exhibiting alongside fellow prestige brands Molton Brown and Oribe.

At this year’s show, Sensai will unveil Autumn/Winter 2026 innovations, headlined by the brand’s return to the premium hair and scalp care category.

Visitors will also discover the brand’s best-sellers, alongside an early introduction to the evolution of Sensai’s core Saho philosophy for 2027, including new developments around its signature Double Moisturising ritual.

Sensai's premium hair and scalp care range

The return to the premium hair and scalp care category marks an important milestone for Sensai, as it seeks to capitalise on the strong brand equity it has built within skincare and make-up.

“Sensai’s continued momentum reflects the power of our luxury beauty proposition, and the increasing relevance of our unique Japanese philosophy among consumers worldwide,” said EMEA General Manager Julien Noilou.

“This year marks an especially exciting chapter for the brand as we re-enter the premium hair and scalp care category – a natural extension of the Sensai universe – bringing the same commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and exceptional performance that consumers have come to expect from our skincare and make-up portfolio. Combined with our continued development of the Saho ritual and Double Moisturising philosophy, we are creating new opportunities to engage luxury beauty consumers across multiple categories and touchpoints.”

Sensai’s recent initiatives reflect Kao’s continued commitment to the luxury beauty segment and the group’s Global Sharp Top Strategy, which focuses investment on categories where Kao can establish a leading market position through high-value offerings and distinctive market propositions. Together, Sensai, Molton Brown and Oribe strengthen Kao’s position in the luxury beauty sector, and meet growing global demand for elevated, experience-led products.

In EMEA, Sensai has achieved year-to-date growth of +5%, supported by particularly strong performances in key heritage markets including Italy, Germany, Poland and Sweden.

More recently, Sensai has also achieved significant momentum in Turkey, bolstered by the development of strong local partnerships and increased brand visibility.

Across Asia Pacific, Sensai is continuing to expand its footprint following its successful launch in Indonesia, with Thailand joining as the brand’s next strategic entry market.

Building momentum through travel retail

Travel retail remains a key pillar of Sensai’s international growth strategy. Recent openings at Warsaw Chopin Airport, Prague Václav Havel Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport have strengthened the brand’s presence at major European gateways, with an opening planned at Rome Fiumicino Airport by the end of 2026.

“The openings clearly reinforce our commitment to selective, premium distribution across strategically important travel hubs,” Noilou noted.

"As we strengthen our presence in established markets, enter new territories and expand our travel retail footprint, we look forward to sharing our latest innovations and future vision with our valued business partners in Cannes."

Travel retail trade prepares to meet at TFWA fair

Loewe and Crocs are among the exciting new exhibitors at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026, which will bring together the travel retail industry from September 27 to October 1 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

The exhibition will showcase many of the world's leading travel retail brands spanning cosmetics, fragrances, fashion, food, tobacco, wines and spirits, including Campari, Bulgari, Clarins Group, Chanel, Ferrero and Longchamp. Among the brands making their debut in Cannes are Crocs, Loewe, Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, Eau Thermale Avène, Bioderma, Anua, Molinari, Atyab Al Marshoud and A L'Olivier.

Conference line-up

Kicking off the event, the TFWA World Conference takes place on Monday 28 September under the theme Shaping the World of Travel Retail. TFWA President Sarah Branquinho will open the conference with her state of the industry address; she will be joined by David McWilliams, Gilles Roucolle and Charles Duhigg to share their perspectives on the forces underpinning the industry. The conference will be moderated by Stephen Sackur. 

A workshop programme will bring together leading experts to examine the trends, challenges and opportunities. On Tuesday 29 September, Pierre-Alexandre Koch and Denise van Wijk of Oliver Wyman will present findings from an exclusive TFWA study on opportunities for customer growth, while Marina Giuliano of Amadeus will explore the forces reshaping global mobility and where the next wave of travel demand could emerge.

On Wednesday 30 September, Anna Marchesini of m1nd-set will examine changing traveller behaviours and opportunities for growth in fashion, followed by Victor Dijon and Alex Liu of Kearney, who will present findings from an exclusive TFWA study on how AI can turn consumer data into growth.

TFWA Start up Day is back on Thursday 1 October 2026. Alongside TFWA’s partner, Mondelez International World Travel Retail, solutions and services companies such as Altavia Travel Retail, blynk, CXG, DWS, Illuminete x Trinax and Voiceback Analytics will present their innovations.

Purpose-driven initiatives

Alongside its business programme, TFWA is reinforcing its commitment to social impact through two purpose-driven initiatives. Delegates will be invited to support The Moodie Davitt Report’s #KickCancerThon, a fundraising campaign for cancer research and awareness inspired by the late Sinead Moodie, by cycling on stationary bikes installed in front of the Palais des Festivals. Collectively generated kilometres cycled will convert to financial contributions from TFWA to the cancer research programme at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.

Additionally, the Yes We Cannes! Handisport initiative will promote inclusion and accessibility through adaptive sports activities.

Qatar Duty Free returns as the main partner of the TFWA Lounge networking space. Brand partners, including Haribo, Heineken, Lakrids by Bülow, Liviko Crafter’s, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail (presenting its Drink More Water campaign), Pringles, Santa Margherita, Seeberger, Storck, Walker’s Shortbread and Wonderful Pistachios, will also contribute to the Lounge experience.

U’Luvka Vodka targets travel retail growth at TFWA show in Cannes

Luxury Polish vodka brand U’Luvka Vodka will showcase its full portfolio at the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, as it targets the next phase of international travel retail expansion following its acquisition by independent drinks group Aspri Spirits – a leading player in India’s imported alcoholic beverages sector.

Presented in Cannes in partnership with spirits brand agency JP-GTR, U’Luvka will use the exhibition to meet customers, rekindle previous relationships and build new partnerships.

U'Luvka Vodka

The brand’s renewed travel retail strategy is already gaining momentum, with U’Luvka Vodka present at leading travel retail locations across Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, including Baltona in Poland, Dubai Duty Free, GAL Delhi Duty Free, Hyderabad Airport, Maldives Airports and Avolta locations such as Bengaluru.

Expansion is planned across Europe, the Middle East and Asia as U’Luvka continues to rebuild and extend its international footprint.

The brand’s combination of distinctive bottle design, premium liquid and Polish heritage positions it to capitalise on the premiumisation of spirits in travel retail, particularly across the Middle East, India and Asia.

Alongside its international expansion, award-winning U’Luvka is taking a targeted approach to travel retail, prioritising locations with the right consumer profile and supporting listings with brand ambassador activity and staff training.

Aspri Spirits Head of International Business Justin Weston said: “Cannes comes at an important moment for U’Luvka as we build on the momentum generated since the acquisition and our renewed focus on travel retail. We are seeing encouraging engagement across key markets and are now focused on developing the right partnerships and listings to support sustainable international growth.”

JP-GTR Founder Jean-Philippe Aucher added: “U’Luvka Vodka has the quality, identity and heritage to compete strongly in the premium spirits space, and Cannes gives us an important opportunity to share our ambitions with the global travel retail community. Our priority is not simply to increase distribution, but to build the brand thoughtfully in locations where its proposition can really connect with travellers."