INTERNATIONAL. The Institute of International Retail (IIR) has held a soft launch for its new Global Travel Retail Community platform.
More than 110 people have already signed up for the website, which is designed to both support individuals and build a community that provides training and development for the industry.
Institute of International Retail Managing Director Derek Hughes said: “The relevance of a virtual community has never been more significant, as we witness a global shift towards online and digital support networks.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and the “very uncertain and challenging environment” Hughes says it has created was not the catalyst for establishing the platform, but has reinforced the importance of a virtual community.
“While COVID-19 definitely brought home the importance of the solidarity and connection that an online community can create, we were working on developing the Global Travel Retail Community before the crisis. The real need for the industry to be able to connect and inspire one another was the final spur,” he said.
The website was soft-launched on 18 May and is still being developed but already has more than 110 members. Hughes added: “Our community grows every day, with between ten and 20 people joining per day this week. However, we don’t see this as a numbers drive, it is all about active and engaged members. There is also an ambassador’s programme that allows very committed members to lead on matters and refer other colleagues.”
The IIR was a partner with the Duty Free World Council (DFWC) in the recent creation of the DFWC Academy. Hughes said the Global Travel Retail Community can help to “assist and identify training and development courses” that can be developed in the DFWC Academy.
“We would also hope to engage with the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) and ensure brands are aware of the great opportunity to engage with the platform,” he added.
Every month the Global Travel Retail Community will dive down into a theme to be discussed by the group. The first theme – the global economy – will be launched on 2 June.
“Throughout the coming months on the platform, community members will have access to some great free resources, networking opportunities, insights and webinars. We will also have a monthly spotlight feature on a member, who can highlight their insights and profile to all other members. There is also the opportunity to provide and share insights and papers on industry-specific issues,” Hughes said.
