Imperial Brands is set to showcase travel retail-exclusive offers from key brands across its portfolio, including Davidoff, Gauloises, West, Rizla and Lambert & Butler at next week’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes (Golden Village, GO6).
As the Tax Free World Association celebrates its 40th year, the British tobacco company has also praised the pivotal role it played in its success since joining as a member in 1998, as well as in the growth of the global duty-free and travel retail industry.
Imperial Brands Global Duty Free & Export General Manager Pierpaolo Pascucci said: “We at Imperial Brands would like to raise a glass to TFWA for its milestone anniversary and the vital work the organisation does to support and drive the travel retail industry forward.
“TFWA has been influential in the delivery of our strategic vision. Their exhibitions, conferences and research have provided us with valuable insights over the years helping us to stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.
“We would particularly like to thank the TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen for his many years of dedicated work championing and leading this industry, as we mark this landmark occasion.
“Erik was pivotal in the formation of the original Tax Free World Association, and the first show in 1985. He has played a key role ever since in its growth into the industry’s premier association. All of us at Imperial Brands wish him all the best for future.”
Innovation with consumer focus
At the show, Imperial Brands will highlight duty-free exclusives that align with its consumer-first approach.
Based on the latest consumer research and insights, the company has put more emphasis on determining key product needs by nationality to enhance its travel retail offers.
Davidoff Cigarettes serves as a vital component of Imperial’s global duty-free strategy and vision. The core focus of the new strategy for Davidoff is designed to uphold the brand’s premium heritage while integrating modern elements.
This strategy will be centred on product innovations tailored for the travelling consumer. The first milestone of this strategy was marked by the launch of Davidoff Cigarettes Gold Dual Fusion at the end of 2023.
At the Cannes show, the company will reveal upcoming product developments to bring the new brand identity into focus.
Pascucci said: “The new Davidoff vision encapsulates Imperial Brands’ ethos of crafting an offer to speak directly to the preferences of the modern adult consumer, based on nationality. Under this strategy, every release from Imperial Brands, from products to activations, is crafted with a focus on the consumers in each specific location.”
Imperial will also present products from brands across its global portfolio, including Gauloises, West, Rizla and Lambert & Butler.
Putting partnership first
At the event, the Imperial Brands team will join partners and stakeholders from across the globe – both new and longstanding – to discuss opportunities and innovative solutions.
Despite a resurgence in travel demand in 2024, the company noted the challenges that persist for the tobacco sector and the broader travel retail market.
Imperial Brands said it is confident the tobacco segment, as both a core category and driver of footfall and penetration, can play a vital role in overcoming these challenges and leveraging available opportunities. However, the company emphasised the need for a cooperative approach from all stakeholders to achieve success.
Imperial Brands Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs – Global Duty Free & Export Loukia Alepochoriti said: “The travel retail sector is evolving faster than ever before, and with this comes fresh challenges as well as new opportunities. As we look to the future, we at Imperial Brands are not only confident in this vibrant channel, but also in the vital role that tobacco will continue to play in the duty-free and travel retail sector.
“The challenges we face include adapting to rapidly changing consumer preferences, navigating complex regulatory environments and leveraging technological advancements to enhance the customer experience. However, these challenges also bring opportunities for innovation, growth and deeper engagement with our travelling consumers.
“Partnerships are at the heart of our strategy, and we believe that collaboration with our industry partners is essential to navigating this evolving landscape successfully. We are looking forward to reconnecting with our existing partners, as well as forging new relationships in Cannes, as we work together to build a successful future for all.” ✈
