The Travel Retail Consortium (TRC) has added Molton Brown and Au Vodka to its growing brand portfolio, representing the fragrances and vodka spirit categories, respectively.
The latest additions sees TRC, category specialists for the travel retail industry, increase its number of member companies to 15.
Since its founding in 1971, British fragrance house Molton Brown has become well known for its wide array of fragrance, bath and body, and hair and home collections.
A leader in the travel retail fragrance category, Molton Brown continues to build on its sustainability innovations to deliver products and experiences that cater to ever-evolving consumer demands.
Molton Brown Head of Business Development, Global Travel Retail Sophie Sponagle said: “We are delighted to be joining the Travel Retail Consortium and I am proud to be representing the company and our fragrance collections.
“Partnership and collaboration have never been more important in our industry and bodies such as the TRC do vital work in creating networks to share ideas and drive this brilliant industry to a better and brighter future.
“I am looking forward to working alongside my fellow representatives and member companies to ensure our industry continues to be at the forefront of creating both a flourishing business for stakeholders and, most importantly, real excellence for our travelling consumers.”
Represented by GMAX Travel Retail, Au Vodka is popular among Millennial consumers. Co-founded by friends Jackson Quinn and Charlie Morgan, the Welsh premium vodka brand specialises in colourful and fruit-flavoured vodka, and is known for its tall gold bottle and RTD cans.
The company hit the £50 million (US$64.09 million) sales mark during its latest financial year.
In the UK, it is among the bestselling flavoured premium vodka brands and is also the most-searched spirit globally on social media, the partners noted. Since it was introduced in 2017, the brand has reached over 40 countries worldwide.
Au Vodka secured its first travel retail listings last year, including at easyJet, Avolta, Bahrain Duty Free and DFDS. It has confirmed additional listings with Gebr. Heinemann, Lagardere, Jet2 and B&S this year.
GMAX Travel Retail Co-Founder Garry Maxwell said: “We are excited to be joining the Travel Retail Consortium as both Tim Young (with partner agency Young Spirits) and I have had a lot of experience dealing with TRC members, both as a buyer (Stena Line) and a supplier (Ronson, Scorpio), when we always found the community helpful.”
He added: “We have joined with Au Vodka as it’s a great opportunity not only for the brand to build stronger relationships with a number of key clients, but it’s also a vibrant disrupting brand with a very different consumer base. And we believe it offers something new and exciting, not only in GTR but also to the Travel Retail Consortium community as a whole.”
Unlocking the Open Hangar Doors
The TRC has announced the return of its annual customer event, TRC Open Hangar Doors, which is taking place on 22 May in Altrincham, Manchester.
This year’s event is at the Concorde Conference Centre and will include a product showcase from members, plus the opportunity to take a tour of the onsite Concorde aircraft. This will be followed by a gala dinner to support its charity partner The Family Charity. ✈
