INTERNATIONAL. Cruise retail specialist Harding has added five additional Carnival Cruise Line ships to its retail portfolio under a new agreement. The company said the agreement makes it Carnival’s single biggest retail partner, with operations onboard 13 vessels.
“Throughout our partnership, the Harding team has demonstrated a depth and breadth of expertise in cruise retail and a collaborative, inclusive approach that is key for long term success,” said Carnival Cruise Line Vice President of Retail Operations Jeremy Schiller.
“We are excited to continue building on our partnership and providing our guests with retail collections they’ll love.”
Harding said that the key to the partnership – and to a new commercial model – was its data and insights programme, developed over the past five years. This, it noted, allows the retailer to pinpoint the correct customer proposition, level of innovation and commercial model for Carnival’s needs.
“I could not be more delighted to be continuing our long-standing partnership with Carnival Cruise Line,” said Harding Managing Director James Prescott. “Our role as the number one cruise and retail experts, with a clear objective for making every cruise guest’s retail experience better, will live loud and clear in this extended relationship.”
Prescott added: “I have been incredibly impressed by the level of commitment, ability, drive and sheer determination of the Carnival leadership team as we have worked hand-in-hand to return to full service, and the award of the additional ships is proof of their faith in us to deliver as the industry’s global leader. This is a true long-term partnership with mutually aligned objectives, and total commitment and engagement throughout the organisations, putting data led, customer-centric actions at the centre.”
Harding will assume responsibility for retail operations onboard the new ships starting from this month.
