7 minute read
In conversation: Nestlé
62 / In conversatIon
Nestlé is working to make food the most purchased category in travel retail. Here General Manager Stewart Dryburgh explains how
the food category can fuel considerable growth for our industry. It is already the second most purchased category, and the number one driver of crosscategory purchasing. It is however under-exploited in travel retail.
Beyond confectionery
The industry’s historic focus on confectionery means the wider food category is significantly under developed. We don’t want the industry to sell less confectionery but we do want to exploit the other opportunities too.
We need to meet consumer needs – going beyond price. This means value and engaging consumers across their journey, showing leadership on the environment and providing a keen sense of place.
Confectionery is the beating heart of travel retail but our research shows there is a range of opportunities beyond that. Based on that research we are focused on coffee and wellbeing categories, developing Nescafé as a global coffee icon and tapping into the global mega trend of wellbeing, with Nestlé Health Science brands for vitamins, minerals, herbals and supplements for the travel retail sector. We also plan to exploit regional opportunities wherever relevant. In terms of engagement, our digital platforms will actively communicate with consumers across the passenger journey; and on sustainability our ambition is to have 100% sustainable sourcing for coffee and cocoa, and 100% recycled and recyclable packaging. We have been cutting carbon since 2019 and launched vegan Kit Kat this year with the goal to make Kit Kat a net zero product by 2025. Smarties are in already in paper packaging and Quality Street will be next.
Unlocking potential
Unlocking the potential of travel retail requires a reimaging of the category. Confectionery is resilient and will remain key but we can drive monumental growth by strategically adding global food brands, and tactically deploying local food brands that consumers love as a memory of their trip or as a gift. We need a category management-led approach that develops travel retail beyond confectionery, holistically. There are some exciting opportunities. Food can be the number one purchased category in travel retail, I'm sure. •
EvEnts / 63
Looking ahead to Hamburg
What: Passenger Plans are already Experience Week well in hand for the including WTCE 2023 World Travel and AIX Expos Catering & Onboard Where: Hamburg Services Expo Germany (WTCE) which will When: June 5-8 return to Hamburg in June 2023. Kicking off with the Passenger Experience Conference, the day before the show opens, the week of June 5-8, will once again see the industry descend on the Hamburg Messe Congress Hall and Exhibition Centre for three days of meetings, product sampling, networking and inspirational debate. Co-located with the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), the 2022 show attracted nearly 5000 delegates and 250 exhibitors.
The Taste of Travel Theatre in collaboration with Onboard Hospitality Magazine is slated to return once more in 2023 with a new line-up of thoughtprovoking panel discussions, chef demonstrations and product showcases. We're already sourcing ideas and panellists so do get in touch with stuart.forster@ onboardhospitality.com if you'd like to get involved. Also back for 2023 is the Onboard Hospitality Awards ceremony, taking place on the Tuesday evening. Join us as we reveal and celebrate the very best of our industry. worldtravelcateringexpo.com
Aviation
What: Aviation Aviation Festival Festival Asia Asia is designed Where: as a show for the Singapore airline and When: Feb 28 – airport leaders March 1, 2023 and senior executives. It offers opportunities to develop business partnerships in the Asia region and gain insights into software, services, sustainability, marketing and distribution. The 2023 event expects to bring 2,500+ executives together to be inspired by 250 speakers. terrapinn.com
Rail talk
What: Middle East Middle East Rail Rail is designed Where: Abu Dhabi to inspire, When: May 15-16, encourage 2023 knowledge exchange and showcase innovative solution providers who promise world-class excellence and infrastructure delivery. It brings together public and private transport operators, government, engineering and construction, logistics and technology providers to plan and develop future projects. terrapinn.com
CALENDAR
February 28 - March 1 Aviation Festival Asia Suntec, Singapore terrapinn.com ------May 15-16 Middle East Rail Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE terrapinn.com ------June 5 Passenger Experience Conference; WTCE and AIX, Hamburg Messe worldtravelcatering expo.com ------noveMber 8-9 Future Travel Experience Asia Expo /Onboard Hosptiality Forum Marina Bay Sands, Singapore futuretravelexperience. com
64 / GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
The world view
We're going global every day by going social. Meet us in the virtual world via Twitter and LinkedIn. Here's just some of the digital chat you may have missed... Follow us for more: @OBHMagazine and linkedin.com
Festive feelings
Air Canada is celebrating the holiday season with a new, heartfelt short film with a message of togetherness. The adorable animation stars a baby loon bird who gets separated from its family on the annual journey south for the winter. The baby loon finds its way back to its loved ones in an unexpected way that is sure to give viewers a jolly surprise, whilst reminding us of the true meaning of the holidays – that is, being together. @aircanada
Back to basics
Would you forgo a toilet onboard to save a few dollars? It seems a lot of Americans would! Research conducted by the travel search engine ‘WayAway’ revealed that a majority of Americans would consider options like flying standing up, having no access to a bathroom or taking five stopovers if it meant a cheaper flight. For a 50% discount, 31.6% would fly standing up, 29.2% would fly with no access to a bathroom, and 35.4% wouldn't mind five stopovers if it meant saving some cash. @wayaway_io
Grab and go
United Airline's newest club experience at Denver International Airport sees passengers able to grab a snack before their flight without reaching for their wallet. Located near Gate B60, at United Club Fly, members can quickly grab a pre-packaged snack (or two... or three...) or drink and go right to their flight. There's also a next-level coffee bar for latte lovers. Eligible passengers simply need to scan in with their boarding pass. @united
Mer-mazing
To celebrate Virgin Voyage's Valiant Lady’s unforgettable 'MerMaiden' voyage, 457 Sailors gathered in Miami wearing a kaleidoscope of vibrant mermaid tails, setting the Guiness World Records title for the largest gathering of people dressed as merpeople. This 'mer-mazing' attempt included lively music, elaborate makeup, 'shelfies', a few stadiumstyle waves and champagne showers once the adjudicator announced that the record was officially beaten. @virginvoyages
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE / 65/ 65
Give us a tune...
Southwest Airlines surprised passengers this autumn with the gift of ukuleles onboard. Passengers on a Long Beach-Honolulu flight were greeted by staff members from Guitar Center as they made their way onboard. Once at their seats they each found a Mitchell MU40 Soprano ukulele and colorful, Hawaiian-themed Road Runner carrying case. With their new instruments in tow, passengers were invited to take part in a lesson and enjoy a serenade down the aisle from a pro. Let's hope no one boarded with a migraine...! @SouthwestAirlines
Non-fungible fun
airBaltic has made great strides to keep up with digital currencies since it became the first airline to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payments for flight tickets in 2014. Now the Latvian flag carrier has hit a digital milestone. Since its release of 10,000 nonfungible tokens (NFTs) called ‘Planies’ at the beginning of October 2022, the airline has issued more than a million loyalty programme (airBaltic Club) points. In less than two months, over 2,300 Planies have been issued which allows their owners to passively earn loyalty points. @airBaltic
Beach clean-up
The team at FORMIA participated in a beach cleanup in November to help promote and raise awareness of plastic waste reduction. The day was planned as part of FORMIA's ongoing partnership with Beyond Plastic – a local grassroots organisation that runs beach clean-ups in Hong Kong. Beyond Plastic holds monthly beach cleanups at different beaches around Hong Kong and have engaged more than 3000 people since they began in 2019, collecting more than 50000 kgs of plastic waste. @FORMIA
New routes
Qantas has been celebrating the launch of a selection of new routes within the APAC region. A new route from Brisband to Haneda Airport, Tokyo was celebrated with Japanese flags and geishas. After 15 years, Qantas' Sydney-Seoul route has also made a return, celebrated in the airport with cuddly characters and people in traditional Korean attire greeting passengers at Sydney airport. @Qantas
