Travel Retail Index (TRI) has launched a searchable platform bringing together retail channels, brands, industry stakeholders and specialist service providers, with the aim of helping companies navigate the global travel retail market.
TRI was founded by Mirabela Lauterbach, who helped establish the travel retail distribution of Swiss company Micro Scooters and US mineral makeup brand Bellapierre Cosmetics.
“The right connection shouldn’t depend on who happens to walk past your stand, “commented Lauterbach. “I built TRI because I lived that problem. The next person entering travel retail should not have to spend months finding an ecosystem that already exists.”
The Index organises the travel retail ecosystem into four categories:
- Retail Channels: Airports, airlines, cruise and ferry, cross-border and downtown stores, and diplomatic stores.
- Brands and Products: Categories including fragrance and cosmetics, fashion, food, tobacco, jewellery and electronics.
- Stakeholders: Duty-free retailers, airlines, cruise lines, brand owners, distributors, agents and wholesalers.
- Service Ecosystem: Consultancy, legal and finance services, marketing, design and build agencies, PR and communications, logistics and staffing.
The platform helps new entrants identify retailers, distribution partners and specialist support businesses. For established companies, TRI said it provides visibility on new entrants and market comparisons. Every listing is reviewed and categorised before publication and remains accessible all year round.
“Travel retail moves through relationships,” Lauterbach added. “When newcomers, industry leaders and suppliers can find each other faster, the entire channel becomes easier to navigate and faster to grow.”
TRI Executive Panel in Davos
Each January, the World Economic Forum brings global leaders to Davos, Switzerland. This year, travel retail featured for the first time through a series of pilot panel discussions with TRI.
Building on that momentum, TRI is planning an invitation-only Executive Panel on 18 January 2027 at Venue Monta, Grischa Hotel, in Davos Platz.
The private event will bring together leaders from travel retail, airports, luxury, technology and investment for a full day of discussions during the week of the World Economic Forum annual meeting.
“Davos is where the biggest conversations in business happen,” added Lauterbach. “Travel retail deserves a seat at that table, and we’re building it, one relationship at a time.”
To mark the launch, the industry can access TRI’s Featured membership free of charge until January 2027.
Following the beta period, the platform will offer three membership tiers: Community, Features and Partner. Community is free; Featured will be €500 annually; and Partner will be priced at €1,000 annually. Paid memberships will offer additional visibility through the platform, webinars and industry events
Lauterbach concluded: “A win for newcomers, a win for leaders, a win for suppliers. When the whole channel can find each other, it moves faster together.” ✈
