UK. Harding+ this week hosted its latest Supplier Conference and called on partners to “be fearless and positively disruptive” amid a drive to redefine guest experiences across the cruise retail sector.
The cruise retailer brought together over 200 partners from across the world to the virtual event to share how the future will be shaped not by scale alone, but by “creativity, collaboration and an unrelenting focus on the guest”.
“This is the moment to be brave,” Harding+ CEO Chris Matthews told attendees. “To think less about shelves and more about stages that will create experiences for guests to remember long after they leave the ship. There’s no other market anywhere in the world that gives brands the opportunity to really embrace and engage with customers in the same way that we can.”
Harding+ research with more than 6,000 passengers pre-cruise found that 92% intend to shop while cruising, visiting stores up to four times per week. With that level of frequency and dwell time, the opportunity extends far beyond footfall – into experience-driven conversion and loyalty – said the company.
Harding+ said that recent activation partnerships demonstrate the power of this approach. Aperol tastings this summer saw sales increase by +222%, Sun Bum pop-ups increased +340% and playful new store concepts such as Palm Pals (below) saw sales triple. Harding+ said it is now dedicating one quarter of all onboard retail space for immersive experiences.
Hosting the event, Chief Commercial Officer Linzi Walker spoke about the global opportunities ahead and the power of data-driven collaboration: “The more we continue to invest in knowing our guests and share that insight with our partners from Miami to Sydney to Singapore, the more we can deliver exactly what is wanted, needed and eagerly anticipated. By pushing our collective boundaries we can deliver more than we might have imagined as true best-in-class partners.”
The conference agenda also highlighted the digital and operational back-office developments that underpin front-of-house success. Following a full review of its global supply chain and the rollout of a pioneering AI-driven forecasting and replenishment platform, Harding+ said it now achieves product availability consistently above 90%. That precision, it noted, reduces waste, improves efficiency and frees shipboard teams to focus on delivering guest experiences.
Matthews added, “Our transformation over the past two years, in technology, processes and culture, has delivered real, measurable impact for our shipboard teams in every region, and our business delivery as a result.”
Harding+ underlined its commitment to innovation and to testing and showcasing new retail ideas at sea.
“We are 100% focused on what we can deliver onboard,” Matthews said. “Through our people, our creativity and our unparalleled expertise in this unique channel, we are the business committed to be the ‘try things first at sea’ partner.”
He concluded, “The next wave of cruise retail growth belongs to those willing to take risks, personalise every moment and make shopping feel like part of the holiday. Be fearless. Be positively disruptive. And together, we can turn every journey into a retail destination that wows guests and converts sales.” 🛳️
*Watch out for an interview with Harding+ CEO Chris Matthews, coming soon.
