11 March 2024. The Travel Retail Consortium is pleased to announce two new members: Molton Brown and Au Vodka have joined to represent the fragrances and vodka spirit categories respectively.
The latest member companies join the TRC as it continues to grow its roster of brands, now 15, as category specialists for the travel retail industry organisation.
Molton Brown
Born in South Molton Street, London in 1971, Molton Brown is an enduring icon of uniquely British style. Working side by side with a collective of progressive perfumers, the company nurtures their artistic freedom to compose intriguing Eaux de Parfum and Toilette, iconic Bath and Body, Hair and Home collections.
In the travel retail market, Molton Brown leverages its standing as a leader in both sustainability and fragrances to create collections and experiences which speak to the desires of the global travel retail customer. Reflecting the individuality of its consumers, Molton Brown delivers luxury products created and presented with a conscious care for the world around them.
Sophie Sponagle, Head of Business Development, Global Travel Retail, Molton Brown, 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.”
Au Vodka
Represented by GMAX Travel Retail, Au Vodka is a Millennial favourite. The Welsh premium vodka brand was co-founded by friends Jackson Quinn and Charlie Morgan and passed the £50m sales mark during its latest financial year.
Au Vodka has a loyal following around the world; it specialises in colourful and fruit flavour vodka and is known for its tall gold bottle and RTD cans. It is the UK’s number one flavoured premium vodka brand and the most searched spirit globally on social media. After launching in 2017, the brand is now available in over 40 countries worldwide.
2023 was the first year of travel retail listings for Au Vodka. The brand found immediate success in the duty-free channel and secured major listings with easyJet, Avolta, Bahrain Duty Free and DFDS last year. 2024 is already shaping up well and new listings are confirmed with Gebr. Heinemann, Lagardere, Jet2 and B&S.
“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,” said Garry Maxwell, co-founder GMAX Travel Retail.
“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,” said Maxwell.
TRC Open Hanger Doors
The TRC annual customer event returns in May: ‘TRC Open Hangar Doors’ is taking place on 22 May in Altricham, Manchester. This year’s event is being held at the Concorde Conference Centre with a product showcase from members, plus the opportunity to take a tour of the onsite Concorde aircraft which is followed by a gala dinner in aid of our charity partner The Family Charity.
The TRC Open Hangar Doors event is hosted by TRC members and is for their customers in the travel retail industry.
For media enquiries about the Travel Retail Consortium contact: Row@essencompr.com or Alison@essencompr.com
About the Travel Retail Consortium:
The Travel Retail Consortium exists to further the interests and development of the UK travel retail industry, through its members. It’s something we’ve been doing for over forty years. Our objectives comprise four key pillars: raise standards of business within the Travel Retail industry; promote members’ products and services; discuss industry issues and share knowledge; provide social and networking opportunities for key customers. Ours is a unique industry that relies on suppliers’ professionalism and effective trade relationships. With that in mind, activities encompass informative members’ meetings and the annual TRC customer event.
