Diageo Global Travel and Mondelez World Travel Retail (WTR) co-hosted a breakfast panel discussion during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes (29 September).
The session explored how closer industry collaboration and a stronger focus on traveller needs can increase duty-free footfall and conversion.
Hosted at Diageo Global Travel’s stand in the Majestic Beach Village, it brought together more than 30 industry guests and was moderated by Heathrow Airport Head of Category Nancy Stewart.
The session examined what motivates travellers to stop and shop and how a better understanding of those drivers could help the Trinity engage more passengers.
Both Mondelez WTR and Diageo Global Travel emphasised the importance of working together to create connected experiences across the traveller journey, with the aim of encouraging store visits and converting interest into purchases.
The exchange shared a positive outlook for travel retail, underscoring the role of the Trinity partnership between brands, retailers and airports in supporting future growth.
Mondelez WTR Vice President and Managing Director Joost Rosmuller said, “The industry has rightly been focused on the pressures facing travel retail, but this breakfast was about what comes next.
“Only 28% of travellers shop duty free today, yet more than half of non-buyers say they are open to it. That is not a demand problem, it is a relevance problem, and it represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.”
Rosmuller added: “Our Destination: Value growth vision is there to inspire the wider industry to turn traveller insight into action. The panel with over 30 industry leaders gave us a valuable opportunity to challenge our own thinking, gain fresh perspectives, and ask a simple but powerful question: what can we do differently, together, to unlock the next wave of growth?”
Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan said: “Growth is a choice, not a trend. We need to think boldly to ensure the duty-free category remains a vibrant and valuable part of travel retail.
“Destination Growth is our vision for how we respond together, taking a broader category view to serve more travellers across more occasions. It is about making spirits the destination, by creating more reasons to stop, explore and buy throughout the traveller journey.”
Cowan emphasised, “No single business can unlock this opportunity alone, and we are delighted to have convened this important conversation at TFWA Cannes.” ✈
