Newly established Blue Storks Travel Retail is seeking successful local and international brands for inflight retail, duty free and travel shops in airports, cruise lines, ferries, diplomatic and military bases.
The travel retail and duty free specialist agency was founded in 2013 by several partners including Arnaud Fauvarque, formerly International Travel Retail Manager of the Ice-Watch brand. Its growing brand portfolio includes:
Daniel Wellington watches – Known for its preppy style and interchangeable straps, Daniel Wellington is forecasted to achieve turnover of €42 million and sell 700,000 pieces in 2014. Its top ten markets are Sweden (10%), Denmark (7%), Norway (7%), Singapore/Hong Kong (3.1%), Japan (3.1%), Australia (3%), China (3%), USA (3%), Germany (3%), UK (3%), and Malaysia (3%).
Blue Storks is working with the travel retail team of Daniel Wellington, which is being sold in many duty free shops, airlines and cruises with partners such as Gebr Heinemann, Tallink, DFASS US, and ISG Hong Kong.
Ögon Designs aluminium wallets – Created by Thomas Marcel, these aluminium wallets were based on the concept of a protective aluminium credit card case that was lightweight, durable and sleek in design.
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The Ögon Designs aluminium wallet is now listed on over 20 airlines |
The wallet has gained listings on over 20 airlines including Air France, Air Berlin, Air Transat, Air Caraïbes, XL Airways, Thomas Cook, Condor, Air Baltic, Germanwings, TUIfly, Luxair, and Canada Express. It has been a bestseller on Air France, selling more than 1,000 pieces a month and is often ranked among the top three in the fashion/luggage accessories categories.
The brand is also being sold in airports and on cruise lines with an anti-theft showcase, and customers include Eurotrade Munich and MSC Cruises.
Just Over The Top (JOTT) down jackets – This French brand of ultra-thin and lightweight goose down outerwear offers jackets and vests for men, women and children at retail prices of approximately €140 per item.
Said to be a success in domestic markets, it was launched in travel retail in 2013 and today it is listed in several airports worldwide with operators including LS travel retail, Belgian Sky Shops, Gerzon Schiphol Airport and Dufry. New points of sale have opened in Serbia, Switzerland and Russia, and the brand also welcomed a new monobrand store in France.
For Fall Winter 2014/2015, the total retail value of orders in travel retail has reached €15.75 million, according to Blue Storks.
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JOTT offers ultra-thin and lightweight goose down outerwear for men, women and children |
Komono watches – This affordable fashion watch brand, which retails from €40 to €80, is said to be ideal for impulse purchase. Over 200,000 pieces were sold in 2013, and this year it is forecasted to sell in excess of 450,000 pieces and double its global turnover.
Komono’s strongest markets are Italy, Benelux, Germany, France, UK, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Japan and US. It has a presence with retail chains such as Urban Outfitters, Colette, Le Bon Marché, Fenwick, Selfridges, and Nordstrom.
In travel retail, it is listed with Airport Retail Group, Viking Line and Thomas Cook.
Sen7 fragrance atomisers – Designed and produced in Germany, this unisex, cast metal and refillable fragrance atomiser has a strong presence in Germany. It can be found in mid- to high-end fashion and concept stores for men or women and perfumeries such as Apropos, Kadawe, Galeries Lafayette, Gradmann, Meister, Mußle, gentleM, Alsterhaus, and Bruckner Bublitz.
According to Blue Storks, these brands have been carefully selected to meet the specific requirements of travel retailers in terms of fashion trends, margins offered, supplies, stocks, sales or return conditions, listing fees, and packaging. As of end August, the company had already secured 20 inflight listings for its brands.
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Blue Storks’ Arnaud Fauvarque (right) and Frederik Westelinck will be in Cannes next week |
To support the growth of the company, Blue Storks welcomed a new partner, Frederik Westelinck, previously International Travel Retail Manager at Ice-Watch. Effective 1 September, he assumes the role of New Business Development Manager of the Braun, Oral-B and Duracell brands for Tax Free Trade GmbH, the in-house travel retail agency of Procter & Gamble International.
Blue Storks Travel Retail be at the TFWA World Exhibition, represented by Arnaud Fauvarque (af@bluestorks.com), who will be stationed on the Sen7 stand (Red Village K17); and Frederik Westelinck (fw@bluestorks.com), who will be on the Braun stand (Mediterranean Village P15). For more information, visit www.bluestorks.com.
