The Travel Retail Consortium (TRC) has strengthened its membership following its recent Annual General Meeting, welcoming Walker’s Shortbread and Southern Comfort to its growing roster of global travel retail brands.
Walker’s Shortbread joins the Consortium in the shortbread and biscuits category, represented by Global Travel Retail Managers, Tim Sargent and May Ngai. Founded in 1898 and still an independent family concern to this day, Walker’s is renowned around the world for baking the finest all-butter Scottish shortbread and has enjoyed a strong and established presence in UK global travel retail for decades. The brand is firmly focused on further strengthening its position in the UK as well as expanding its footprint in key strategic international markets, supported by a comprehensive GTR range that includes a number of exclusive concepts developed specifically for the channel.
Commenting on the decision to join the TRC, Sargent said: “Walker’s Shortbread is a globally recognised brand and we are proud to have a strong footprint in UK travel retail. As we look to grow Walker’s brand presence and penetration both in the UK and internationally, , we believe membership of the Travel Retail Consortium will play an important role in supporting our ambitions, through new contacts, industry insight and valuable networking opportunities.”
Southern Comfort joins the Travel Retail Consortium in the American Whiskies category, represented by Sam Haley of Sazerac, the company that owns the brand. Backed by Sazerac’s more than 400 years of distilling heritage and a diverse portfolio of innovative and dynamic spirits brands, Southern Comfort is actively developing its global travel retail presence and sees significant long-term potential in the channel.
Haley, who recently joined Sazerac from Danone (Harrogate Water) – itself a TRC member – highlighted the value of the Consortium’s collaborative approach. She commented: “Global travel retail represents a major growth opportunity for Southern Comfort, and we are already seeing strong momentum in the channel. Having experienced first-hand the benefits of TRC membership in my previous role, I’m confident the Consortium will be instrumental in helping us build brand awareness, strengthen industry relationships and accelerate our travel retail strategy.”
In addition to the new member announcements, AGM attendees heard a thought-provoking presentation from Keith Hunter, Chief Retail Officer for Urban-Air Port Ltd, who outlined the company’s mission to remove one of the biggest barriers to sustainable air mobility: ground infrastructure. Hunter shared updates on the development of vertiports worldwide, alongside future-focused retail, café/bar and service concepts designed to support a zero-emission mobility ecosystem. Once fully approved, these innovations have the potential to mark a new era in both passenger travel and goods delivery.
The meeting also confirmed that YV Global will transition its TRC membership from Transformulas to its electrical beauty brand StylPro, reflecting the group’s evolving focus within the global travel retail channel.
