May 2026 – The Travel Retail Consortium (TRC) hosted its annual spring meeting in Dover this April, bringing together members for a valuable programme of collaboration, industry insights, and knowledge sharing. This year’s gathering was made particularly memorable through the generous hospitality and partnership of DFDS, a leading operator in European ferry travel and onboard retail.
TRC members were invited to experience DFDS operations firsthand, setting sail aboard the Côte d’Opale and Côte des Dunes ferries for the crossing from Dover to Calais. The visit offered a unique opportunity to explore onboard retail environments, customer experience strategies, and merchandising execution in a live setting.
Upon arrival in France, delegates visited the Calais port shops, gaining further insight into cross-channel retail dynamics and the evolving expectations of travelling consumers. The trip concluded with an evening dinner hosted by TRC for DFDS in Dover, providing an ideal setting for continued discussions and strengthening relationships between members and the DFDS buying team.
Sharon Edwards-Smith, Chairperson of the Travel Retail Consortium, commented:
“On behalf of our members, I would like to extend sincere thanks to DFDS for their outstanding hospitality and continued support of TRC brands. Experiences like this are invaluable in deepening our understanding of the travel retail environment and strengthening the partnerships that drive our industry forward. The opportunity to engage directly with the DFDS team and see their operations in action was truly exceptional.”
Michael Stewart, Head of Buying at DFDS, added: “DFDS were delighted to welcome the TRC aboard our Channel vessels and into our Port Shops, giving us the chance to share the enthusiasm and passion that drive our Duty-Free business across every part of the customer journey. The visit offered far more than a tour, it created a meaningful space for open dialogue, collaborative thinking, and a deeper understanding of how we can collectively elevate the Travel Retail experience both at sea and on shore.
“Spending time together allowed us to strengthen long‑standing partnerships while also sparking new connections with colleagues from across the industry. These conversations highlighted the shared ambition and innovative spirit that continue to shape the future of DFDS Travel Retail.
“It was a genuine pleasure to host the TRC, and the energy from the visit has already inspired new ideas and opportunities. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing the conversations that will help us grow, evolve, and deliver even greater value to our customers and partners.”
The TRC spring meeting once again demonstrated the importance of collaboration across the travel retail sector, highlighting how partnerships between operators and brands can create enhanced value for both businesses and consumers.
