Global Travel Retail Magazine Confectionery & Fine Foods February 2023

FEBRUARY 2023 · VOL 35 · NO 1

Global Travel Retail Magazine (ISSN 0962-0699) is published seven times a year by Paramount Publishing Company Inc. It is distributed digitally worldwide. The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher or the editor. February 2023, Vol 35.

bouncing back All regions

Hello to our loyal readership and welcome to 2023! This Confectionery and Fine Foods Report marks our first issue of the year and we’re pleased to highlight the latest category updates.

But first, we want to address the excitement taking hold of the duty free and travel retail industry: the reopening of China. While experiencing a V-shape recovery as expected, the immediate surge in outbound bookings from China is a sign of what’s to come.

PUBLISHER

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hibah Noor hibah@dutyfreemagazine.ca

MANAGING EDITOR

Jane Hobson jane@gtrmag.com

DEPUTY EDITOR Laura Shirk laura@gtrmag.com

SENIOR WRITER Rebecca Byrne rebeccabyrne10@yahoo.com.sg

SENIOR EDITOR Mary Jane Pittilla maryjanepittilla@hotmail.com

ART DIRECTOR Jessica Hearn jessica@globalmarketingcom.ca

This month, International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that globally, full year 2022 traffic was at 68.5% of 2019 levels, climbing 152.7% versus 2021. This, paired with UNWTO’s (World Tourism Organization) prediction that international tourism could reach 80 to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year in some regions, tells us the global travel retail and duty free industry is in for some sweet successes in 2023.

While UNWTO warns that tourists are likely to focus on bang for their buck and closer-to-home excursions, it nonetheless forecasts “all regions bouncing back.”

In this issue, m1nd-set Owner and CEO Dr. Peter Mohn tells Global Travel Retail Magazine about the agency’s new approach to collecting category data. As of 2023, it will shift from confectionery to food and include two additional subcategories: local food specialties and international food brands.

Elevating the sustainability discussion, m1nd-set details what makes a TR confectionery product sustainable and outlines the perception of confectionery brands’ sustainability efforts among travelers. According to research, nearly half of duty free confectionery shoppers (47%) surveyed mentioned that sustainability is one of their top three factors to purchase.

And in premium chocolate, Lindt tells GTRM it plans to drive growth with a new category vision that highlights HPP activations to help travelers rediscover the iconic brands they love, with an eye on gifting as a major focus in the first half of the year. This reports also brings you the latest from HARIBO, Mondelēz, and Cloetta

This year brings the sugary promise of growth in not only the confectionery and fine foods category, but beyond to the greater travel retail and duty free industry.

Last year we welcomed a new Managing Editor, Jane Hobson, working alongside myself and our Deputy Editor Laura Shirk, signaling our own progression. Our team will attend all the major industry events this year and looks forward to reconnecting with everyone. With an eye on the future and determined to help drive our industry forward, we will be on location throughout the year to learn, report and deliver news.

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER accounts@globalmarketingcom.ca

Kindest Regards,

HIBAH NOOR Editor-in-Chief hibah@dutyfreemagazine.ca

WHAT’S INSIDE

Lead Stories

6 Lindt Eyes Category Growth Promise of premium Lindt GTR is focused on premium chocolate growth with a new category vision and plans to make gifting easy year-round

8 HARIBO Hits GTR Sweet Spot Sugar confectionery coming of age in TR Elisa Fontana, Head of Marketing Travel Retail, RIGO Trading S.A, tells Global Travel Retail Magazine how sugar confectionery is coming of age in travel retail

9 Mondelēz WTR’s Cocoa Made Right A win for cocoa communities

Mondelēz WTR highlights its latest activation part of its Travel Retail Made Right sustainability roadmap, collaborating with Lagardère Travel Retail to make a positive contribution to local Ghanaian cocoa communities

Promise of premium

by JANE HOBSON

Lindt Global Travel Retail (Lindt GTR) is showcasing its focus on growth in the chocolate category through a raft of developments across its business. In an interview with Global Travel Retail Magazine, Peter Zehnder, Head of Lindt GTR, highlights the brand’s ambitions for the year ahead, including a new category vision and a focus on gifting and premiumization.

“A versatile confectionery portfolio is essential to cover all shopper needs – but this is just one piece of the puzzle,” Zehnder says.

New category vision

Underpinning the new category vision aimed at driving growth is Lindt’s leading portfolio of premium chocolate. The portfolio will be strengthened for 2023 and beyond with several new formats across its core lines, as well as a strengthened focus on its retail execution.

“People are excited to be back traveling and want to rediscover the iconic brands they love. We have seen consumers gravitating towards trusted brands which deliver premium quality so leveraging this will be key to increasing conversion rates,” he explains.

Based on data from its latest study, Lindt GTR has created key travel retail exclusive products for gifting in 2023: The LINDOR Gift Box (287 grams) personalized with the gifting message “FOR YOU,” wrapped in lace-embossed packaging, adorned with a golden bow; the Napolitains Destination Sleeves Carrier Box (500 grams) unique to the destination; Gold & Silver Tablets (500 grams) serving as the “fail-safe gift that speaks for itself,” and the newly-introduced Nuxor Milk and Assorted (165 grams).

LINDT GTR IS FOCUSED ON PREMIUM CHOCOLATE GROWTH WITH A NEW CATEGORY VISION AND PLANS TO MAKE GIFTING EASY YEAR-ROUND

Peter Zehnder, Head of Lindt Global Travel Retail

Lindt’s Swiss Masterpieces range, launching later this year, has been developed with a focus on cardboard use, recycled materials and reduced plastic

Lindt expects gifting and premiumization to remain major drivers of growth in the first half of this year

“These novelties fully address the various occasions that lead to a gifting purchase in travel retail. We are looking forward to discussing these dynamics with retailers and how we can work together to capitalize on the opportunities they are creating with shoppers,” Zehnder says.

Part of this comes down to brand ambassadors. Zehnder reports that most brand ambassadors are back to work in growing numbers post-pandemic, which he calls a “clear indication” that the brand is committed to supporting its retail partners in delivering excellent customer service and elevating the shopping experience.

Gifting and premiumization as major drivers

According to Zehnder, the brand is certain that gifting and premiumization of the chocolate category will remain major drivers of growth in the first half of the year, expecting them to recover their share of spend.

Finding the right format and delivering engagement at the point of sale during key gifting periods can fuel sales growth, he says, referencing recent Diwali promotions in partnership with Delhi Duty Free and Dubai Duty Free which led to double-digit percentage sales growth.

Recent Lindt GTR research confirms that more than 90% of gifting purchases occur outside of key gifting periods. Now the brand is looking at growing premium chocolate year-round as well as during occasions such as Ramadan and Chinese New Year as part of its “Delight” pillar.

Treat, Indulge, Recharge, Connect and Delight are the “Five Demand Pillars” in the brand’s globally applicable framework that define the overarching needs of confectionery shoppers. Confectionery being one of the most accessible and impulse driven categories in TR, the pillars help understand triggers, behaviors and occasions to identify the needs and drivers which lead to purchasing decisions.

“Chocolate is an iconic gift to mark any occasion, drawing on its universal appeal, so we are keen to stress the importance of delivering an elevated gifting experience year-round,” Zehnder explains. “Naturally this suffered during the pandemic as gifting occasions were compromised by restrictions, but we do see this recovering now that get-togethers and celebrations are happening again. This pillar includes purchases that show the recipient you care and thought of them, purchases which are a souvenir or deliver a sense of place, as well as kids’ gifts.”

Lindt GTR has also seen a higher average spend-per-passen-

ger in recent months, including an increase in self-consumption, telling a positive story about premiumization in the chocolate category in GTR.

“Shoppers are looking for higher quality, more premium products, for self-consumption and gifting,” Zehnder says. “The ‘Indulge’ pillar remains crucially important.”

Playing into confectionery impulsivity, Lindt will offer activations and sampling to drive conversion this year. Zehnder says the brand believes that sampling led by brand ambassadors plays a key role in increasing conversion and driving category growth by delivering engagement.

The brand is also looking to drive an increase in smaller touchpoints along the main confectionery aisle to catch shoppers’ attention, maximize impact of product innovations and increase overall store performance.

This merchandizing helps shoppers navigate store shelves and make more conscious buying decisions, transforming browsers into shoppers, Zehnder explains.

“We are working with our retail partners to ensure that premium cues and formats are present in-store, while also continuously investing in our portfolio to ensure that Lindt continues to be a go-to for shoppers looking to show appreciation through gifting,” he says.

Conscious consumerism

Zehnder says Lindt GTR has clearly seen the shift of travelers prioritizing themselves and the planet. Among its overall Sustainability Plan, the company reached an important milestone through its Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program in 2022; 100% of cocoa beans cultivated through the program are now 100% traceable back to the farmers, which has been externally verified by an independent third party.

“Not only does this ensure we are using the finest quality cocoa beans to craft our premium chocolate, but it is also helping us to give back and improve the livelihoods of our cocoa farmers, their families and their communities,” Zehnder says.

Lindt GTR is examining more ways to communicate its sustainability commitments. Its new Swiss Masterpieces range, launching later this year has been developed with a focus on cardboard use, recycled materials and reduced plastic, as well as clean labeling for the ingredients used in individual pralines.

“Product innovation will always be a pillar of our strategy, making sure that our portfolio aligns with shopper trends in the category,” he says.

The Lindt Global Travel Retail booth at TFWA WE Cannes 2022

Hitting the GTR

sweet spot

Travel

by JANE HOBSON

Confectionery category growth is a priority for HARIBO in the year ahead and the company tells Global Travel Retail Magazine (GTRM) it plans to make the most of celebrations and generations.

“At HARIBO we have always stayed true to our guiding mission of bringing moments of happiness to people of all ages with small, affordable luxuries that epitomize the joy of childhood,” says Elisa Fontana, Head of Marketing Travel Retail at RIGO Trading S.A, the Haribo Group subsidiary. “In these challenging economic times, sugar confectionery is a powerful footfall driver. The category offers popular solutions for all wallets across a range of shopper missions from self-treat to affordable gifting.”

A new generation of travelers

Trendier cultural dates like Carnival and Halloween are driving a rise in the popularity of sugar confectionery.

“These occasions are delivering category growth with a new generation of travelers and what’s exciting for us is our innovation pipeline bringing more flexibility to meet dietary requirements such as Halal and great tasting options for vegetarians,” Fontana says.

HARIBO is launching the Friends & Party halal pouch, exclusive to global travel retail (GTR), with a mix of HARIBO favorites including HARIBO Goldbears, HARIBO TropiFrutti, HARIBO Happy-Cola and HARIBO Starmix, to appeal to consumers in key markets across India, Middle East and Africa.

Additional range highlights coming to market in 2023 include the pairing of HARIBO and MAOAM in a duo

pack (653 grams). The first-time mixing of the brand’s most popular sour recipes creates a unique offer exclusive to GTR, Fontana says. The pack includes HARIBO Roulette Fizz, HARIBO Goldbears Sour, MAOAM Bloxx Sour and MAOAM Stripes Sour.

“The launch (in April 2023) will be popular with Gen Z who are the top consumers of sours.  Having their favorites together in a multipack solution will appeal as sharing with friends is a key purchase motivation,” she says.

HARIBO will also focus on increasing the availability of products in tall pouches to provide more gift solutions and to maximize the on-shelf vertical merchandising opportunity. This helps enhance the aesthetic of the confectionery category with colorful and engaging pack designs.

A moment for holidaymakers

Fontana says summer marks an important season as European travelers look for sharing snacks on family trips, and for souvenirs and gifts.

“We invest in extra visibility in-store in key family holiday destinations to keep our product portfolio top of mind during the summer season and we see this as a key opportunity for brand-building as much as for the commercial sales opportunity,” she explains. “Our holiday product focus includes destination pouches of colorful, juicy fruitgums, popular in particular with British and German holidaymakers at Europe holiday hubs and in Turkey. We know that travelers like to shop for regional specific products to bring back home and this is a key consumption occasion for HARIBO. “

In conclusion, Fontana says the affordability, appeal and international brand recognition that HARIBO sugar confectionery offers across all age groups and nationalities offers retailers a “significant category growth opportunity,” especially when there is good visibility and in-store placement.

“We are always delighted to partner with retailers on this basis to deliver these win-win opportunities.”

Elisa Fontana, Head of Marketing Travel Retail at RIGO Trading S.A (left), and Gilles Hennericy, Global Travel Retail Head of Sales HARIBO, at TFWA WE Cannes 2022

Elisa Fontana, Head of Marketing

Retail, RIGO Trading S.A, tells Global Travel Retail Magazine how sugar confectionery is coming of age in travel retail

The HARIBO & MAOAM duo pack (653 grams) includes HARIBO Roulette Fizz, HARIBO Goldbears Sour, MAOAM Bloxx Sour and MAOAM Stripes Sour

At the end of last year, Mondelēz World Travel Retail (WTR) rolled out the latest phase of its Travel Retail Made Right sustainability roadmap for the industry. Highlighted with an activation at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with Lagardère Travel Retail, Mondelēz WTR tells Global Travel Retail Magazine (GTRM) the project is all about supporting and honoring its values and people.

The project is a partnership between Mondelēz World Travel Retail, the Cocoa Life Program – Mondelēz International’s sustainable cocoa sourcing program – and Child Rights International, a non-profit children’s organization. The collaboration provides tricycles to local Ghanaian cocoa communities to enable enhanced mobility for children and small businesses.

Beatriz De Otto, Head of Customer Marketing, Mondelēz WTR, tells GTRM, "As we considered the next stage of our holistic Travel Retail Made Right journey, our World Travel Retail team looked at what is close to our values, close to our hearts, and close to our people. Through this project we are going back to the heart of our brands, investing to help contribute to brighter futures and support communities.”

Cocoa made right

Mondelēz WTR highlights its latest activation part of its Travel Retail Made Right sustainability roadmap, collaborating with Lagardère Travel Retail to make a positive contribution to local Ghanaian cocoa communities

by JANE HOBSON

The Ghana mobility initiative

The tricycles aim to provide children a means of transportation to and from school, improve their punctuality, increase time at school and encourage excitement to enroll and invest in their education.

Farmers, traders and other people are also training to operate the tricycles. They can be used to distribute goods and encourage young adults to access and take up employment opportunities.

“Transportation is an integral part of human activities, affecting the way in which society is organized. We aim to help cocoa communities thrive and support community members with access to transportation and education – to help create a more sustainable future,” De Otto says.

Core partnerships

The Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport activation includes a life-size tricycle that travelers can ride to better understand the details of the project. Every kilometer biked in-store automatically donates €1 to the project (US$1.07). In addition to Toblerone chocolate, exclusive bags are available for purchase. By donating proceeds from the shopping bags to the tricycle project, Mondelēz WTR and Lagardère Travel Retail are helping shoppers make a direct positive contribution.

The project reflects the principles of Mondelēz WTR’s evolved category vision which was presented at TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes last year. The vision focuses on elevated category awareness through experiential touchpoints and unique experiences for shoppers.

Mondelēz WTR sees partnerships as integral to the success of its sustainability strategy, De Otto adds.

“Shoppers are looking for products that support sustainability. With this initiative, we are highlighting that choosing Mondelēz WTR means choosing to help support cocoa made right,” she says. “Mondelēz WTR, Lagardère Travel Retail, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and the shopper all [have] a common goal to help support cocoa communities.”

“The activation, which has attracted a variety of travelers, has delivered an engaging and educational experience for customers, which is in line with our values and commitment to responsible programs and partnerships,” said Stéphanie Zakarian, Head of Confectionery, Lagardère Travel Retail, in the December announcement.

De Otto says Mondelēz WTR is preparing to share details soon on similar activations that will launch in the future with more partners.

The Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport activation includes a life-size tricycle that travelers can ride to better understand the details of the project

Beatriz De Otto, Head of Customer Marketing, Mondelēz WTR

Confectionery footprint

m1nd-set shares its latest take on confectionery & shifts its approach to data collection

by LAURA SHIRK

According to m1nd-set, a general profile of duty free confectionery shoppers 2017 – Q1 2020 vs. 2021 – 2022 (or post-pandemic)

Leading up to the release of Global Travel Retail Magazine’s Confectionery and Fine Foods Report, the publication took a close look at m1nd-set’s recent survey, which highlights travel retail and duty free shopping trends (2021 – 2022 vs. previous years). Outlined by the team at m1nd-set, the scope of the report: trends in consumer behavior across TR shoppers and sustainability as a key confectionery choice factor. Beyond incorporating the factor in its ranking, m1nd-set details what it is that makes a TR confectionery product sustainable and elaborates on the perception of confectionery brands’ sustainability efforts among travelers.

The leading agency in global travel research collected data at airports around the world via its B1S tracking survey, since 2017 and covered three subcategories: chocolate, biscuits and sugar confectionery. As of 2023, m1nd-set’s approach to collecting data will shift from confectionery to food and include two additional subcategories: local food specialties and international food brands. According to m1nd-set Owner and CEO Dr. Peter Mohn, confectionery represents approximately 77% of packaged food in travel retail – and only 7% in domestic markets.

“We think it makes more sense to look at food as an overall category since this is how it is done in other categories like alcohol, beauty and tobacco. We also believe the subcategories of local food specialties and international food brands have great potential in travel retail and will grow significantly over the next several years,” Mohn tells GTRM.

By the numbers

As the second most purchased category in 2021 – 2022 at 25% (following perfumes at 27%), data shows confectionery is most appealing to purchase in duty free when in the form of an exclusive or a limited-edition This is followed by wider choice at 30%, lower price point at 26% and better service at 25%. To read

an overview of the study 2017 – Q1 2020 vs. 2021 – 2022 (or postpandemic), see below:

• Although confectionery is the second most likely category to convert travelers into shoppers, this trend is down 16% among post-pandemic duty free confectionery shoppers (60% vs. 44%)

• The in-store experience of duty free shoppers has increased in importance; interaction with sales staff has become more frequent and influential in terms of final purchasing decisions

• Among those surveyed between 2021 – 2022, 59% of post-pandemic duty free confectionery shoppers interact with sales staff – and among those shoppers 84% are influenced by members of the staff; both figures show a significant increase compared to previous years

• Post-pandemic duty free confectionery shoppers are more inclined to add to cart with a self-purchasing purpose (26% vs. 47% in Q3 2022); this trend displays contrasting paths with gifting (54% vs. 24% in Q3 2022)

• Compared to previous years, confectionery shoppers grouped as “specific planners” more than doubled (15% vs. 32% in Q3 2022) and those categorized as “undecided planners” dropped from 56% to 43% in the third quarter of last year; following a 10% increase in 2021, the share of impulse buyers returned to pre-pandemic levels in Q3 2022 (26%)

• Compared to 2017 – Q1 2020, when it comes to the moment duty free confectionery shoppers start to think

Post-pandemic duty free confectionery shoppers are more inclined to add to cart with a self-purchasing purpose (26% vs. 47% in Q3 2022)

about their specific purchase, “before leaving for the airport” (at 41% in Q3 2022) and “in the duty free store” (at 40% in Q3 2022) traded first and second ranking; this is the first time since the start of m1nd-set’s data collection that the option “in the duty free store” fell to second place

• Examining top barriers to purchase within the category, “not enough time to choose” is at the top of the list (Q3 2022); this figure is vs. 4% in H1 2022 and vs. 10% 2017 – 2020

A key confectionery choice factor

• m1nd-set reveals almost half of duty free confectionery shoppers (47%) surveyed last year mentioned that sustainability is one of their top three factors to purchase – 14% noted it as their number one factor to purchase. Seventy-six precent of shoppers consider products with reduced or eco-friendly packaging important; 75% value the use of eco-friendly ingredients and 68% value green production.

Half of shoppers say the manufacturing process is the area that confectionery brands need to improve on most to become more sustainable

Based on data collected in 2022, a detailed breakdown of what it is that makes a travel retail confectionery product sustainable

• When identifying what makes a travel retail confectionery product sustainable, the agency reported on four aspects: ingredients, production process, packaging and other. The study also highlights per aspect the percentage of shoppers that considers it one of their top three aspects to purchase and the percentage of shoppers that considers it their primary aspect to purchase.

• 75% of shoppers say ingredients is one of their top three aspects to purchase; 36% say ingredients is their number one aspect to purchase

• This aspect is significantly led by the use of organic/ bio ingredients (41%; 17%)

• 72% of shoppers say production process is one of their top three aspects to purchase; 32% say production process is their number one aspect to purchase

• This aspect is led by an energy-efficient and clean manufacturing process (24%; 8%) and closely followed by the product’s carbon footprint (20%; 28%)

• 2% of shoppers say packaging is one of their top three aspects to purchase; 28% of shoppers say packaging is their number one aspect to purchase

• Recyclable packaging, biodegradable and compostable packaging, plastic-free packaging, recycled packaging and reusable packaging are approximately of equal importance among shoppers

• When it comes to purchasing, 4% of shoppers say “other” aspects such as supporting local communities and charitable causes and achieving sustainability certification top their list

• Finally, according to 2022 data, 28% of confectionery duty free shoppers “absolutely” think that brands in travel retail have been working within the last two years to become more sustainable. The majority of shoppers (46%) selected the option “quite.” Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed find the credibility of brands’ efforts believable.

FOCUS ON THE GOOD

A TASTE for fruitbased CANDY

At the start of this year, Cloetta Global Travel Retail (GTR) launched a new innovation, Red Band Real Fruit Candy. Described as “delivering on key consumer trends and an important part of the brand’s strategy,” the fruit-based, vegan candy has been crafted to meet the needs of shoppers who are looking for products with more natural ingredients. The treat contains 50% fruit and is available in two mixes: Fruit & Berries and Fruit & Citrus. There are six flavors in each 200-gram standing pouch and the diamond-shape pieces have an illustration that reflects the matching fruit flavor.

To learn more about Red Band Real Fruity Candy and get an update on Cloetta GTR’s approach to brand education, Global Travel Retail Magazine (GTRM) conducted a Q&A with Jana Stroop, Global Travel Retail Manager at Cloetta GTR.

Global Travel Retail Magazine: According to a Q3 2022 study by m1nd-set, wider choice is a leading factor to purchasing confectionery in duty free. How does Cloetta GTR’s recent expansion of the Red Band range support this trend?

by LAURA SHIRK

The product has been released across markets under the company’s existing local candy brand portfolio and is available to order in travel retail. To date, Cloetta GTR has secured a listing with its partner Dufry – with more listings on the way.

Jana Stroop, Global Travel Retail Manager, Cloetta GTR: Our consumers are at the center of our business, which is why we work toward meeting their diverse needs. The development of Red Band Real Fruit Candy is a great example. The product was built on consumer insights such as the need to increase transparency and

In this Q&A, Jana Stroop, Global Travel Retail Manager at Cloetta GTR, answers questions about its approach to brand education and the development of its latest innovation, Red Band Real Fruity Candy

Red Band Real Fruit Candy Fruit & Berries

Jana Stroop, Global Travel Retail Manager at Cloetta GTR

focus more on natural ingredients and in close dialogue with consumers to ensure the best outcome.

Fruit-based candy is a completely new type of product in the candy category and the result of a long-term innovation and development process. Red Band Real Fruit Candy was developed with our internal capabilities and in our own factories.

The high fruit content gives the candy a fresh, juicy and natural fruity taste. The colors come from foods with coloring qualities such as black carrot, sweet potato and black currant. Natural dyes like curcumin and paprika extract are also used. By expanding into this space, Cloetta GTR provides the shopper with a product selection that meets different needs at different moments.

GTRM: Since consumers are becoming increasingly well informed about sustainability practices and ingredient sourcing,

how is Cloetta GTR improving communication of its brand success stories? What area(s) of communication is the company currently prioritizing?

Stroop: A healthy planet is the source of all our ingredients. This principle guides environmental aspects in our business decisions and daily activities, as well as the ambition to improve our total planet footprint throughout our value chain. Our three main initiatives are climate action, sustainable sourcing and less and better packaging.

We set our science-based target and activated a company-wide climate action program in 2021 to reduce our emissions by specific percentages by the start of this year. As part of our sourcing program, we focus on improving the performance of our suppliers and sourcing raw materials in a way that protects or improves the environmental and social impact of the supply chain.

Lastly, we continue to work toward more circular packaging, with our goal of 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. Plastic-free, less packaging and renewable sources are other areas of focus within our less and better packaging vision.

In 2021, approximately 5% more of our packaging came from PlantPack, which is an alternative replacing up to 50% of previous packaging with plant-based plastic. This has improved our CO2e footprint and secured more renewable sources for future packaging.

We communicate these initiatives a number of different ways. Most visibly, we communicate the use of sustainably sourced ingredients and PlantPack on packaging. This way, consumers can make an informed purchasing decision. Since sustainability is a key topic among Cloetta GTR’s partners, we make sure to share our programs and success stories across travel retail. Furthermore, we proactively reach out to public relations channels and media to highlight initiatives and celebrate achievements.

GTRM: What percentage of Cloetta GTR’s marketing strategy relies on sales staff interaction and influence? How does Cloetta GTR’s approach educating brand representatives and does its approach change depending on target demographic?

Stroop: We work closely with our partners to determine what kind of approach is needed for each of our brands on the shop floor. As air traffic is rebounding and set to increase even more in 2023, we see a rise in the opportunities to use brand representatives.

Since many of our brands are unique in their category (such as The Jelly Bean Factory, Red Band Real Fruit) and aim to offer the consumer something different, having a brand representative or ambassador on the shop floor could help us generate awareness and convert sales.

Representatives of each brand would receive separate training in order to successfully reach and engage with the right target audience. However, it’s worth noting that without people in these roles, our products are able to reach their intended audience – either through colorful packaging, shop placement or activations.

Red Band Real Fruit Candy Fruit & Citrus

Butlers reveals latest collaboration with Drumshanbo

Gunpowder Irish Gin

Butlers Chocolates teamed up with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin to deliver an iconic collaboration. Imbued with more than 12 oriental botanicals, gunpowder tea and a hint of Sardinian citrus, the combination of the elixir with Butlers’ milk and white chocolate creates a depth of flavor.

Designed for gifting, the premium range made up of zesty new flavors includes an eight-piece milk chocolate truffle collection and a milk chocolate 75-gram bar with truffle center. The collection will hit airports soon and serve as a sister product to the original Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Chocolates range.

Also in the news, described as an indulgent dark chocolate protein enriched treat, the Butlers Protein+ Chocolate collection offers the following varieties: Dark Chocolate Truffle, Coconut Truffle and Orange and Salt Caramels. This spring will see the introduction of Butlers’ new on pack iconography. Displaying a brand-consistent, aesthetic color palette, the contemporary symbols are designed to communicate Butlers product attributes in a clear and simple way, while also creating shelf appeal, the company says.

Ritter Sport launches TR edition Vegan Tower

Ritter Sport is introducing a new travel retail exclusive to extend its vegan product range. The Travel Retail Edition Vegan Tower 5x 100 grams (TRE Vegan Tower) will launch globally next month, offering three varieties of non-dairy chocolate in a five-pack.

Containing cocoa from 100% sustainable certified cocoa sources, the TR exclusive will be packaged in a colorful gift box and highlight three of the brand’s 100-gram vegan bars on offer, including two new flavors introduced in domestic markets in January: Roasted Peanut and Salted Caramel. The third flavor will be Smooth Chocolate.

Explaining that chocolate is a key product within the “vegan sphere,” Nicole Miltenberger, Ritter Sport Marketing MGMT Global Travel Retail, said the brand is seeing consumer demand growing globally with six out of 10 people willing to increase their consumption of vegan or vegetarian confectionery.

Promising to meet the dietary choices of consumers, the TRE Vegan Tower is great for travelers on the go or for snacking at all stages of the travel journey.

Gunpowder Citrus Truffles (100 grams)

The Ritter Sport TRE Vegan Tower will be available in three varieties: Smooth Chocolate, Roasted Peanut and Salted Caramel

ENJOYYOUR FAVOURITECANDY

Best Food Company appoints Kreol

Travel Retail as TR distributor

Kreol Travel Retail has been appointed as the official travel retail distributor of Best Food Company, a market leader in the branded nuts category. Based in the UAE, Best Food is well known within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and its portfolio includes Beer Nuts, Tamrah (a nutfilled, chocolate-covered date brand) and Pekanz (a range of chocolate-coated pecan nuts).

“We are thrilled to partner with Best Food and to have the opportunity to bring their high-quality, locally loved products to travelers around the world. Brands that do extensive R&D when it comes to their product offering are a pleasure to work with because it ensures we have some sort of a valueadd to every product in the range rather than being just another nuts brand.

“At Kreol Travel Retail we are always looking for ways to support and promote local hometown hero brands, representing them with a proper focus in what is often a neglected channel, and we are excited to work with an Emirati success story like Best Food to do just that through travel retail,” said Kreol Arakulath, Executive Director at Kreol Travel Retail.

Storck debuts Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn in UK Travel Retail

Storck Travel Retail is launching its Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn range in UK Travel Retail. Debuting in the channel at select locations across the region, the line is available in two flavors: Classic and Pretzel and packaged in 140-gram reusable bags.

The Classic edition is a light and crunchy popcorn, while the Pretzel is popcorn mixed with sea salts and pretzels. Both are covered in the Werther’s Original caramel flavor.

“The new range not only drives innovation in the category, but taps into different consumer need states within travel retail – it is ideal for sharing, gifting or enjoying alone and offers something a bit different to traditional sugar or chocolate.

“Not only will these flavors appeal to our existing loyal shoppers who love new and exciting sweet snacks, but they offer something innovative and different to the growing number of shoppers who enjoy popcorn as a snack,” said Andy Mutton, Managing Director at Stork Travel Retail.

Based in UAE, Best Food is well known within the GCC region and its portfolio includes Beer Nuts, Tamrah and Pekanz

The line is available in two flavors: Classic and Pretzel

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