Lindt introduces its Master Chocolatiers at JFK Terminal One store opening

USA. Lindt & Sprüngli Travel Retail has partnered with International Shoppes (I.Shoppes) and Otis McAllister Distribution to open a new outlet at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The Terminal 1 outlet hosted Lindt Master Chocolatiers in an 11-day event that included sampling and live chocolate-making demonstrations of Lindt truffles.

“Bringing the magic of the Lindt brand to life”: Lindt Maitre Chocolatier Nadia Lafrate adds her skills to the promotion at the new JFK Terminal 1 store.

According to Lindt & Sprüngli, the promotion was the first of its kind in North American travel retail.

During the campaign, sales through the I.Shoppes store saw double-digit growth, with sales of ‘theme items’, such as Lindor, up by nearly +80% compared to a normal trading day. Lindor is a key brand for Lindt & Sprüngli, with sales of over US$1 billion annually.

Lindt & Sprüngli Travel Retail said it plans to introduce the Lindt Master Chocolatiers to other major North American travel locations. It aims to “bring the magic of the Lindt brand to life” and to appeal to growing numbers of Millennial travellers at US airports, and believes the promotions will also help convert more passengers into duty free shoppers.

Lindt & Sprüngli calls Lindor its “love” brand, seeing it as the perfect item to share with loved ones and also as an ideal personal treat to indulge in self-love.

International Shoppes Vice President Business Development Matthew Greenbaum said the company was “delighted” to partner with Lindt & Sprüngli and Otis McAllister to develop a significant brand presence within the new Terminal 1 space.

“Lindt is featured immediately at the store front along with a beautiful back wall and gondola, which travellers from around the world instantly recognise and are drawn inside the space. We are very grateful for the productive partnership and are extremely encouraged by the sales results so far,” he said.

Sharing the promotion’s sweet success (from left to right): Lindt Maitre Chocolatier Nadia Lafrate; I.Shoppes Vice President Business Development Matthew Greenbaum; Otis McAllister Sales Director Marc Panara; Lindt & Sprüngli Sales Manager Duty Free North America Mohammed Aldahabi; and Store Manager Bharat Sharma.

Lindt & Sprüngli Head of Global Duty Free Division Peter Zehnder commented: “JFK is at the heart of our Lindt Travel Retail growth strategy in North America, and we are delighted and proud to have had the chance to kick off this event at I.Shoppes’ new store in Terminal 1.

“The considerable commitment of the I.Shoppes’ team and the strong partnership with Otis McAllister were key factors in the success of the initiative.”

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