Welsh gold jewellery brand Clogau has created a new collection of lockets that is exclusive to the inflight channel. The line, which features six skus, was showcased at last month’s TFWA Asia Pacific show in Singapore.
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Clogau’s Meadow Heart locket is part of the brand’s new airline exclusives collection |
“We were the first brand to introduce lockets as a fashion item, back in 2010,” APAC New Business Development Manager Artemis Couroupaki told The Moodie Report. “This new line, which features different shapes such as hearts and shells, aims to further strengthen our inflight presence.”
In addition to jewellery, Clogau’s small but growing watch collection has been earmarked for a bigger travel retail focus. “We think watches have great potential as a category [in this channel],” Couroupaki confirmed.
In other news, Clogau is exploring opportunities within fragrance and fashion. The brand has already diversified its product offer with the creation of the Am Byth Eau de Toilette. It is described as a “unique fragrance inspired by the dramatic landscapes and seascapes of Snowdonia, the heartland of Wales and the rarest gold in the world”.
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Am Byth, Clogau’s debut feminine fragrance |
The Am Byth (which means “˜Forever’ in Welsh) juice features notes of ambergris, labdanum, myrrh, clary sage and patchouli, which combine to deliver a warm, light yet intense fragrance, according to the brand. Clogau Am Byth edt retails domestically at £25 for 50ml.
A collection of scarves, inspired by some of the brand’s best-selling pieces, are another imminent diversification. “We are exploring new projects, and new sets of ideas,” Couroupaki noted.
In geographical terms, Asia Pacific continues to be a key area for expansion. “We think one new country per year is a fair target,” Couroupaki explained. “We are thirsty for growth.”
2013 saw key advances in China, where the company’s 18 karat gold offer is driving sales. This year, in September, Clogau aims to open its first Japanese department store. In travel retail terms, the brand’s success onboard Japan Airlines has helped to strengthen Clogau’s awareness in the wider Japanese market.
“We owe Japan Airlines a great deal,” Couroupaki commented. “They have been great ambassadors for us, and a superb showcase.”
South Korea is the country target for 2015, to be followed by Singapore in 2016.
As previously reported, Clogau has recently partnered with Garry Stoner, Director and Owner of Insight Travel Retail Consultants, to further develop its international business. “Gary’s travel retail experience will undoubtedly help Clogau to ensure the brand’s continuing development in this key retail sector,” the company noted.
“The Inflight channel has and always will be a key part of our business with double digit growth year-on-year, but interestingly, the strong emerging channel for us over the past 12-18 months has been the retail shop channel, with both our cruise and airport business performing really well,” Stoner told The Moodie Report.
“We believe there are two key reasons for this. Firstly, many of our customers are trading up their jewellery assortments, which is increasing the average transaction value. Secondly, our own product development strategy continues to offer a wide selection of products with retail prices from US$100 to US$15,000, thus enabling us to tailor product selections to suit our customers’ passenger profile.”
Stoner concluded: “Cannes 2014 presents a great opportunity to meet with our existing customers and engage with potential clients from all around the world. Our stand presentation will feature new products for 2015, plus our travel retail shop merchandising solutions.”
