Three compaines have joined the Travel Retail Consortium (TRC) for 2024: Butlers Chocolates, Mondottica and Bluedog Group. The new members represent the chocolate/confectionery, sunglasses and service agencies categories respectively.
These additions strengthen TRC’s brand portfolio as category specialists in the travel retail industry. The organisation has also expanded its membership criteria to include service agencies.
Butlers Chocolates has a 90-year history of crafting luxury chocolate assortments, premium chocolate bars and Irish liqueur chocolates. The Irish family-owned business also releases packs and seasonal ranges, alongside travel retail exclusives and souvenir lines.
The company has been a Gold member of Origin Green for four consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
Butlers Regional Sales Manager – Europe Niall Fanning commented: “The entire travel retail team is excited to be joining TRC. We look forward to sharing industry best practice insights and representing the confectionery category for members.”
London-based Mondottica has been designing and manufacturing eyewear under license for over 20 years, working with brand partners such as Ted Baker, Vivienne Westwood, Karen Millen and AllSaints.
AllSaints, a contemporary British fashion brand, is new to the company portfolio and set to launch this spring/summer. Mondottica delivers eyewear collections in both travel and domestic retail on a global scale.
Mondottica National Accounts Manager Sunglasses & Travel Retail Louise Porte said: “We are delighted to be joining the TRC and representing the sunglasses category. It’s a growing fashion accessories category and an exciting time to be discussing brand partnerships in travel retail.”
Global event, travel retail and digital creative specialist Bluedog Group counts four agencies under its group banner: Kounter, doplr, HEX and Essential Communications.
Currently, the business counts clients such as Dufry, Bacardi, Pernod Ricard, Ritter Sport, Lindt & Wella as long-term partners.
Bluedog Group Operations Director Andy Machin said: “It’s great timing to be joining the TRC community. We are delighted to be joining and feel the group has much expertise to share with our travel retail industry colleagues.”
TRC Chair Sharon Edwards said: “The TRC is extremely pleased to announce our three new member companies. Together, they will bring a fountain of knowledge across their respective categories and expertise from many combined years working in the travel retail business.
“We look forward to hearing from them at several in-person events planned for 2024.” ✈
