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Lesser & Pavey Managing Director Julian Hunt (right) and Business Development Manager John Costi-Mouyia pictured at the company’s UK headquarters |
Giftware supplier Lesser & Pavey Ltd has announced promising expansion with major operators since targeting the travel retail sector over a year ago.
The UK-based company – a multi-million pound business with retail customers and distributors in many countries around the world, has made significant inroads into travel retail with top operators.
Speaking to The Moodie Report from the company’s headquarters, Managing Director Julian Hunt and Business Development Manager John Costi-Mouyia confirmed that it is achieving great success, selling a wide range of gifts and souvenirs to the market.
L&P, as it is known, supplies airport stores operated by World Duty Free Group (WDFG), Relay and Aelia and is keen to expand its travel retail client list.
Hunt explained: “L&P is a 41-year-old business and we’ve been importing gifts, souvenirs and home decor accessories from the Far East for more than 35 years. We have dedicated staff in the Far East who oversee quality control, production and shipping.”
The company started in travel retail just over a year ago, but has already achieved substantial business with WDFG, Relay and Aelia, and has just delivered its first orders to Harding Bros for P&O Cruises.
Costi-Mouyia continued: “Travel retail is growing in importance for us. It is still a small part of what we do, but is an extremely exciting area of business that we are capable of supplying and we consider this as very valuable incremental business. We have our own in-house design team who can assist with the development of all artwork for customers’ own design, as well as for developing our own stock items. It is therefore very straightforward for us to transfer our capabilities in developing gift and souvenir items for the travel retail market.
“We’ve been delighted with the reaction so far from the travel retail sector.”
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Left: The Royal Heritage brand, created exclusively for Glorious Britain, includes mugs and plates marking the Royal Wedding and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; Right: Souvenir giftware for World Duty Free Group under the Glorious Britain banner depicting iconic London scenes | |
Fine china gifts made in England
Pointing to some of the successes so far, Costi-Mouyia explained: “World Duty Free Group’s Glorious Britain souvenir shops have been carrying a range of products under the Royal Heritage brand name, which has been created exclusively for Glorious Britain. The range includes fine china plates and mugs marking the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Both using images approved by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.”
He continued: “While most of the company’s products are from Asia, the Royal Heritage collection is made from fine bone china in Staffordshire, England. In addition to Royal Heritage, Lesser & Pavey has created an own brand of souvenir giftware for WDFG under the Glorious Britain banner depicting iconic London scenes. Also on offer at Glorious Britain outlets are fine china mugs exclusive to WDFG, displaying the very popular British motto “˜Keep Calm and Carry on’.”
In addition, Glorious Britain carries an assortment from Lesser & Pavey’s licensed Forever England and V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum of Art & Design) ranges of British floral print gift accessories. The quintessentially English pattern appears on light travel-related items made from laminated canvas such as bags, cosmetic pouches, washbags, wallets and purses. The short-handled tote bag is a best-seller.
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The V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum of Art & Design) range of British floral print gifts |
Lifestyle accessory products
Away from its home market, Lesser & Pavey has developed a range of products especially for Relay for its Air de Paris airport stores at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.
Launched at the end of June 2012, the Parisienne collection consists of two different designs – a vintage sepia print and a more fashionable print with purple detailing. Items include bags, key chains, fridge magnet, mugs, bonbon dishes, coasters and a clock. Relay is carrying both designs side by side in its stores.
Lesser & Pavey also supplies Relay’s sister company Aelia with the licensed ranges of V&A English Heritage gift accessories made from laminated canvas such as bags, purses and wallets, offered in cream and blue floral colourways, plus a selection of regular souvenirs at its stores in Luton, Glasgow and Belfast. “With these collections we are not offering typical souvenirs; they are for operators who want to introduce lifestyle accessory products,” said Costi-Mouyia.
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Left: Lesser & Pavey has developed this Parisienne range of products especially for Relay for its Air de Paris airport stores at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports; Right: Harding Brothers has selected a general giftware range for P&O Cruises ships | |
FOB programme for customers
A new customer for the company, UK-based cruise line concessionaire Harding Brothers, has selected a general giftware range for P&O Cruises ships. Products include crystal-studded powder compacts, trinket boxes and ornaments, conveniently sized for the fly-cruise customer, said Costi-Mouyia.
Lesser & Pavey offers an FOB programme so that containers can be shipped from Asia directly to customers around the globe. The company offers what it describes as “sensible” production minimums of 2,000-3,000 pieces on most high-volume items.
“The opportunities for us in travel retail are huge; it’s virgin territory,” enthused Costi-Mouyia. “However, it is straightforward for us to transfer our capabilities into the travel sector, as our production base is very experienced and long established.
“This has been illustrated by our ability to offer the travel sector refreshing new products that have already created volume sales even at this early stage. We would therefore welcome any further opportunities to work with other travel retail operators around the world.”
For details, contact John Costi-Mouyia, Business Development Manager, Lesser & Pavey Ltd, office tel: +44 1322 279225, mobile tel: +44 7872 836208 or e-mail: johncm@leonardo.co.uk
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Left: Glorious Britain ceramic giftware with an English theme; Right: Lesser & Pavey’s licensed Forever England range of British floral print gift accessories | |
