Does the modern travel retail market reflect the modern shopper?
Our shoppers in travel retail have changed, did you know? It seems to be all we talk about a lot of the time. I certainly spend plenty of my time hearing and reading about new shopper demographics and needs. That, surely, must mean the market, offer and approach from brands and retailers has changed too […]
Young consumers are leading the fight on climate change – now brands must follow
By Marco Passoni “No K-pop on a dead planet”. That is the slogan of Kpop4Planet, a group of predominantly young Gen Z and Millennial fans who have made headlines calling on brands which use K-Pop stars as brand ambassadors to do more for the planet. Recently, the group has been in the news for calling […]
Why the story is much more than marketing for retail today
By Marco Passoni I saw a comment this week in a recent Future of Luxury blog which shocked me. Speaking to a brand ambassador, the author, luxury expert Daniel Langer, asked about brand storytelling and was told: Only marketing believes in the story. For the rest of the organization, it is irrelevant. We focus on […]
As the Tourist Tax continues to cost the UK billions, doing nothing would be criminal
By Marco Passoni It is amazing to me that the Tourist Tax which the UK government foolishly instated in the wake of Brexit is still something we have to speak about. Surely this should have been a PR stunt which was recognised as a huge error and was undone quickly and quietly at the first […]
Partnership is not the best way forward for travel retail, it is the only way forward
By Marco Passoni There was a time when most conversations about travel retail focussed on the need for a new business model. We spoke of a collaborative approach which would shape the future. There is less of that talk at the moment. As you look at the travel retail sector today, especially the new tenders […]
Should we embrace AI and Chat GPT? Let the future speak for itself
The possibilities of AI, and Chat GPT especially, are very exciting for travel retail. I do not think there can be any question about that. While the metaverse has created thrilling online outlets and opportunities, AI promises real-world applications which could deliver tangible benefits for our business. It can fill gaps that we otherwise struggle […]
Price is a central part of travel retail – and it is about to get more important
By Marco Passoni It feels ridiculous to have to point out that price counts in travel retail. A price advantage is one of the foundations of the duty-free sector. It has been around since the start of the industry and, despite the attempts of many to sideline it to help resolve their margins and/or price […]
Acetaia Malpighi announces new travel retail release with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Invecchiato
The historic Acetaia Malpighi brand has announced the creation of its new exclusive release, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Invecchiato. For more than 200 years, the Malpighi family have been custodians of the recipe for real “natural vinegar”, the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, passing on the technique from generation to generation, and carrying the legacy […]
Promoting excellence: How to engage the modern luxury consumer
By Vittoria Passoni Luxury is, at its best, timeless and constant. That is one of the appeals of this market. But luxury must also be current, engaging and innovative, that is what makes it special and gives it its longevity. Last week, I attended the Altagamma Consumer and Retail Insight event in Milan. The top […]
People Power: How to unlock the next level of service
By Marco Passoni What is the most important part of the physical retail experience? For me, the answer to this is clear. While price, presentation and digital integration are vital, people are what sets the in-store retail experience apart – both for shoppers and for brands. It has been encouraging to see in recent weeks […]
