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A bag from Gattinoni’s new Spring 2014 fashion collection |
Rossi Group is banking on its licensed Italian accessories brand Gattinoni for growth in travel retail.
Gattinoni is already successful in the domestic market globally, with shops and corners in major cities such as Milan, Rome, Kuwait, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bangkok, Tokyo, Osaka and Moscow. The company has a showroom in Milan.
Now, with the guidance of well-respected industry executive Elizabeth Woodland, who is the company’s Global Travel Retail Consultant, Gattinoni bags are heading onto airport shop shelves.
Speaking to The Moodie Report after the TFWA Asia Pacific show in May 2013, where the company highlighted its range of accessories, Woodland said: “Gattinoni has despatched ranges now to [airport retailers in] the US – Newark, Houston and Cincinnati, and agreed listings with Bangalore, Qatar and Dubai. The products have not arrived in the last three locations as yet. We are in discussions with airline companies in Canada and a cruise company in the US at present for further listings.”
Turning to the firm’s ambitions in the sector, Woodland continued: “Our plan is to become a strong partner to retailers globally in the travel retail industry. We would hope to see Gattinoni present in all major markets.”
Gattinoni’s core collection is the Planetarium range, inspired by a print from a 16th Century painter, which makes up 70% of the brand’s sales. Each season, Spring and Autumn, a number of new fashion ranges are introduced, which are available for a limited season of between three and six months. The fashion ranges often use the Planetarium print as a backdrop with different colourations and fabrications.
The best-selling bag is a tote bag which sells at around €200 at retail. Prices for the products start at under €30 for a small leathergoods item, while and the top price for a large piece of framed luggage can be around €500. Handbags retail on average between €200 and €350.
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Spring 14 fashion bags use the core Planetarium print as a backdrop with different colourations and fabrications | |
Middle East a major target market
Turning to which regions are being targeted in the initial roll-out phase, Woodland said: “The first countries that Gattinoni has focused on in the travel retail market have been in the Middle East. This is because the domestic market is showing high growth, and the consumer awareness is high in that region.
“Other target markets for the same reason in support of the domestic market are Japan and Russia.
“The US has been a focus market due to size and scope – and we are very happy to launch with DFASS in the States. This retailer has great experience and opportunities in ground stores, on airlines and in different continents, as well as having a distribution division. This is very attractive to Gattinoni as it builds up brand awareness in the global market in the domestic market and the travel retail market at the same time.
“Gattinoni is focused on either building up a market that already has a domestic strength and therefore brand awareness, or in developing new markets for the brand worldwide.
“In terms of retailers, Gattinoni wants to develop partnerships in the travel retail industry due to the high level of professional retailers that create fabulous store environments all around the world. They are spoilt for choice!” enthused Woodland.
The company is targeting the travelling consumer – either female passengers, or passengers who are purchasing for female-oriented products. The core age group is 25 years and above.
Asked what her key message would be for duty free operators, Woodland replied: “Why not test the Gattinoni brand? A core assortment costs less that €10,000 to purchase a range of goods that are focused on the travelling consumer.”
Woodland added: “Gattinoni is a young brand – the first leathergoods ranges were developed in 2009. In the industry many operators suggest they are seeking new products. Gattinoni can certainly fulfil their objective!”
For details, contact Liz Woodland on tel:/fax: +44 1737 830 855 or e-mail lwoodlandcfr@hotmail.com
Visit www.marcorossi.com
