Leading plush supply company Aurora World has appointed Lynn Ringer as Travel Retail Account Manager to support the growing business. She reports to Aurora World Travel Retail Manager Garry Stoner.
Ringer has previously held travel retail management roles for LMS (Stena Ferries’s distribution division) and for plush specialists Russ Berrie. She also held a travel retail post in the US for several years.
Ringer joined Aurora World’s management team five years ago and has been integral in driving sales and market share. In her new role as Travel Retail Account Manager, she will help grow Aurora World’s business in key nautical and inflight channels.
Stoner said: “In order to ensure these businesses are well supported, and to continue the growth curve, we needed to expand the team. Lynn is the perfect choice, bringing huge experience to the table, both in terms of travel retail and plush. We’ve worked together before and so I know that she’ll be an indispensable member of the team and help to further grow Aurora World in global travel retail.”
Ringer said: “I’m really delighted to be back in the world of travel retail, working with Garry. I attended TFWA World Exhibition last year and the industry is every bit as exciting, dynamic and innovative as ever.
“What was really good to see was the interest in plush from new retailers and concessionaire groups. This year we’ve got some great new lines coming onboard, both for existing brands and new licenses — so it’s going to be a really busy year.”
Aurora World’s plush and stuffed toy portfolio includes brands such as YooHoo, Sparkle Tales, and Fancy Pals, and licensed plush characters such as The Gruffalo, Shaun The Sheep, and BT21.
The company has recently been experiencing robust travel retail growth. Its travel retail business increased by +35% year-on-year in 2019. It also opened 117 new travel retail doors; bringing total points of sale to 1,139.
“2019 was another phenomenal year for Aurora World as more and more retailers realise the potential of offering plush toys and gifts to consumers. The nautical and inflight sectors were particularly strong with a number of airlines listing Aurora for the first time, including Tui UK,” said Stoner.
