The Travel Retail Consortium has announced three new members that have joined for 2024, boosting its roster of brands as category specialists for the travel retail industry organisation.
It has also expanded the membership criteria to now include service agencies.
New members, Bluedog Group, Butlers Chocolates and Mondottica have joined this month representing the service agencies, chocolate/confectionery and sunglasses categories.
Bluedog Group
Global event, travel retail, and digital creative specialist Bluedog Group counts four agencies under its group banner: Kounter, doplr, HEX and Essential Communicaitons to focus respectively on international retail campaigns and activations, live experiences and digital, design and content solutions plus PR and marketing. Since restructuring in 2021, the business has grown exponentially and counts clients that include Dufry, Bacardi, Pernod Ricard, Ritter Sport, Lindt & Wella as long-term partners.
Bluedog Group Operations Director, Andy Machin said: “It’s great timing to be joining the TRC community, we are delighted to be joining and feel the group has much expertise to share with our travel retail industry colleagues.”
Butlers Chocolates
Founded in 1932, the Irish family-owned business celebrated 90 years of creating luxury chocolates in 2023 and is Ireland’s leading luxury chocolate producer.
Butlers Regional Sales Manager for Europe, Niall Fanning said: “The entire travel retail team is excited to be joining the TRC, we look forward to sharing industry best practice insights and representing the confectionery category for members.”
Mondottica
London-based Mondottica has been designing and manufacturing eyewear under license for more than 20 years, working with brand partners such as Ted Baker, Vivienne Westwood, Karen Millen and AllSaints. Mondottica eyewear collections are delivered through multiple channels – in both travel retail and domestic retail – on a global scale.
Mondottica National Accounts Manager Sunglasses & Travel Retail, Louise Porte said: “We are delighted to be joining the TRC and representing the sunglasses category; it’s a growing fashion accessories category and an exciting time to be discussing brand partnerships in travel retail.”
Travel Retail Consortium Chair, Sharon Edwards said: “The TRC is extremely pleased to announce our three new member companies. Together, they will bring a fountain of knowledge across their respective categories and expertise from many combined years working in the travel retail business. We look forward to hearing from them at several in-person events planned for 2024.”
