02_singapore_2025_WEDNESDAY_ISSUE

Wednesday 14 May 2025 26 T F W A D A I L Y Bringing business closer Engaging presence and growing a brand R icola is using the show this year to speak to people in person, to canvas opinions and also to let them know how they are going to be expanding operations. Speaking at the Ricola booth, Head of Travel Retail Andreas Reckart said: “We are already present in quite a few locations, but of course, we want to expand more. Our domestic business here in Asia is growing quite a bit, so it’s just about finding the right places and the right partners too.” In terms of what’s doing well, Reckart explained: “All of the flavours are doing well, and they are more or less quite balanced in terms of sales, but the ones that stand out are the lemon and the original.” Basement 2 / 2-H6 V ictoria’s Secret is cementing relationships and reminding its associates that it works across categories. Victoria’s Secret Head of Travel Retail Helly Ding said: “The show is about touchpoints and meeting with our partners, both existing partners and new partners that we wish to engage with.” Ding admitted: “Asia has not fully recovered for us as a brand, in terms of a region, but we continue to want to invest in a presence here, because this is a place to be.” Describing what the primary focus is this year, Ding said: “Really, our goal here is to have meetings and hopefully inspire our partners with what we’ve been working on with the brand. We have some key moments and key highlights that we’re sharing.” Level 1 / 1-M26 A rriving at the busy registration area at TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference on Tuesday, Time Products’ Head of International, Myalee Sofield, and Emma Finch, Head of Travel Retail, had come to network after a busy half-year in Asia after landing in Mumbai in February with three locations with Ospree Duty Free. Elsewhere in India, Time Products reports continued good sales with GMR – it has locations in Hyderabad, Kannur and Goa – meanwhile, another nine locations have been added with Qatar Duty Free as demand remains strong with both Dubai Duty Free and Lagardère Travel Retail Saudi Arabia. Time Products has continued the rapid development of its smartwatch category with Jet2 reporting “an amazing first week” after listing the brand-new ACTIVE PRO on 1 May (see our feature on this in Monday’s TFWA Daily). Other new product developments are particularly focusing on gift sets – such as combining watches, pendants and earrings – some of which are TR exclusives, such as the Connect series on easyJet. “It’s not really that surprising but travellers really want gifts,” said Sofield, “and in our category we are finding gift sets have taken up to a third of sales.” Share of gift sets grows to third of sales for Time Products