FRANCE. Traveller Socks, which produces a range of premium socks for the travel market, has opened an automated airport retail unit as a pilot project at Brest Bretagne Airport.
The company said it intends this platform to be a launchpad for a roll-out to other French airports and international travel retail locations.
Designed in France and manufactured in Portugal, Traveller Socks are premium knee-high travel socks. Co-Founder & President Vincent Tamagno said they were developed to address some of the most common discomforts associated with longer journeys, including tired or heavy legs, prolonged sitting and the need for greater comfort.
He said the objective was to “combine the benefits of graduated support with the comfort and appearance of a premium everyday sock rather than a medical-looking product”. Made of 54% cotton, which provides “softness and breathability”, they are positioned as a travel comfort product rather than a medical product.
The collection is currently available in four sizes, from 35 to 50 (EU), and a colour range that includes Jet Black, Deep Ocean, Bordeaux and Traveller Teal, as well as a dedicated Bretagne edition created for the Brest Airport location. Retail prices start from €35.
The automated retail concept allows travellers to select their size and colour directly from the touchscreen and complete their purchase in seconds. Tamagno said it allows the brand to “offer a premium travel comfort product in a compact, self-service retail footprint, without requiring a traditional store or additional staff”.
On the airport opportunity, he added, “We believe airports are a particularly natural environment for Traveller Socks because they bring together three key elements: a clear moment of need, travellers actively looking for last-minute comfort solutions, and the requirement for a very fast and convenient purchasing experience.
“Many passengers only begin thinking about leg comfort once they are already at the airport, particularly before a longer flight. The automated format allows us to address that moment directly in the boarding area, while giving passengers immediate access to the right size and colour without waiting or requiring assistance.
“Brest is very much our pilot location, with the objective of proving the model before progressively expanding into other airports.” ✈
