US travel essentials company Cabeau is set to highlight innovations with a focus on sustainability at next week’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes (Yellow Village, A21).
Cabeau CEO David Sternlight said: “We use this time at TFWA Cannes to really connect with our partners and ensure we’re performing at the most elite level.”
He noted the ongoing success of Cabeau’s The Neck’s Evolution S3 and Evolution Earth products, which launched in travel retail last year. Cabeau’s Evolution Earth is the company’s first travel pillow to use RPET fabric and recyclable packaging materials. The brand has also compressed its memory foam pillows to shrink shipping carton size by -43%.
“The Evolution Earth was our first-ever fully recyclable product and has moved us forward tremendously in terms of our focus on sustainability,” Sternlight added. “It is a strong product driver in the travel retail space and consumers have noted that they appreciate the effort we make to offset a pollution-heavy industry.
“It has been great to see the industry as a whole take notice. We learned so much as a brand and company creating this product that we have woven it into our new product innovations and company ethos and look to expand on that with our B Corp certification efforts and Clean Hub partnership in 2025.”
As reported, Cabeau became B Corp certified in March 2024.
Sternlight noted how Cabeau’s “robust” performance in travel retail this year has been driven by several factors.
“Firstly, we’ve been able to strategically expand into new locations, channels and high-traffic travel hubs which has significantly boosted visibility and accessibility to our products in travel retail sectors. This continued market expansion has been complemented by a focused marketing strategy highlighting Cabeau’s commitment to comfort and innovation. This resonates well with frequent travellers seeking premium travel accessories for long-haul flights and the need to arrive well-rested and pain free.”
Since the COVID pandemic, Cabeau has leveraged digital platforms and ecommerce channels “to facilitate seamless customer engagement and sales growth”.
“By investing in online visibility, user-friendly interfaces, and personalised customer experiences, we’ve effectively capitalised on the growing trend for online shopping among travellers,” Sternlight added.
He believes Cabeau’s commitment to sustainability is another key element in driving consumers to the path to purchase.
On challenges facing travel retail, Sternlight noted the “uneven” recovery from the pandemic. “Some regions, such as Asia, saw slower re-openings due to lingering restrictions. Travel uncertainty due to ongoing geopolitical issues or sporadic disruptions is still impacting foot traffic in airports and other travel hubs,” he said.
Sternlight outlined Cabeau’s efforts to diversify its product offerings and geographical focus. “By focusing on airports in high-growth regions like North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, we’ve been able to capitalise on demand where travel has bounced back quicker. We pride ourselves on being adaptable and nimble as a company overall.
“By adapting to shifting consumer preferences, enhancing in-store engagement and addressing supply chain concerns, we’ve continued to strengthen our position in the travel retail category with the goal of positioning ourselves for long-term success in a competitive and dynamic industry.”
Considering Cabeau’s launches for 2025, Sternlight said: “We have taken the time to listen to our customer feedback loop and their direct reviews on our products. The aim is to ensure we are driving the category forward with the ability to update and tweak our products because this is what the consumer is asking.
“Travel is only getting more accessible to larger markets, so we cannot rest on our laurels and continue with the same products year in and year out. The new projects reinforce our reputation as a leader in innovative, value-driven travel comfort solutions, catering to modern, tech-savvy, and sustainability-conscious consumers.”
Cabeau is a finalist in the Travel Retail Awards and the Frontier Awards during the Cannes event. ✈️