Who we are

The Travel Retail Consortium is a UK-based suppliers’ club, with almost a 50-year track record, whose sole focus is serving buyers and retailers in the travel retail industry.

Membership is open to companies whose trading interest involves the sale of products or services to the Tax & Duty-Free (Travel Retail) Trade, with up to two representatives nominated.

Membership with the TRC is non-competitive; eg each member company exclusively represents a segment within a category sector. For example, there will be one Champagne company only, one fragrance company only, one sunglasses company only.

Our current membership includes companies that provide many of these product categories to the Travel Retail industry, but we are always keen to hear from companies that cover specific segments not currently represented.

Examples of segments are as follows:

  • Cognac, gin, Champagne, wine within Wines & Spirits
  • Tea, preserves, savoury biscuits within Fine Foods
  • Chocolate, sugar, sweet biscuits within Confectionery
  • Fragrance, lipsticks, make-up within Beauty
  • Travel Adaptors, travel pillows, luggage within Travel Items
  • Plush toys, and games within Toys
  • Women’s fashion, men’s fashion, kid’s fashion within Clothing
  • Souvenirs, novelties, within Gifts
  • Designer bags, sunglasses, watches, jewellery, and pens, within Accessories
  • Cigarettes, cigars within Tobacco
  • Audio headsets, power banks within Electronics

 

See our members

Meet the TRC Officers

Behind the Travel Retail Consortium lies two hard-working officers who devote much of their free time to running the club for and on behalf of its members. Here’s a little more about the personalities who keep the TRC alive and kicking!

TRC Officers
Sharon Edwards

Sharon Edwards

Chairperson

Sharon Edwards joined Kurate in early 2023 as International/Travel Retail Key Account Manager bringing more than 28 years experience of working in the business. Sharon was previously with Time Products (UK) Ltd for 12 years, holding various roles with brands including Sekonda, Accurist and Limit – most recently as Senior International Key Account Manager. Prior to this, she worked with plush specialist Russ Berrie, after 16 years with The Nuance Group (Ocean Trading).

Says Sharon: “I’m thrilled to have joined the Kurate International team. I’ve watched this family company grow in travel retail over many years with its Aeon, Moon, Belle & Beau, Author and YOU collections of jewellery and watches which really do offer designs, styles and price points for everyone. It’s a small but highly knowledgeable and passionate team and I’m delighted to be part of it as we continue to build back and grow the business post-Covid. It’s also great to continue being part of the Travel Retail Consortium; it’s a brilliant group of like-minded brands working together for everyone’s benefit.

“I am honoured to now take on the exciting role as Chair of the TRC, and look forward to 2024 and further customer events whilst continuing to build membership of the Consortium and ensure it acts on behalf of and for its members.”

chairperson@travelretailconsortium.co.uk

Tina Davies

Tina Davies

Secretary

I have worked in Travel Retail for 35 years having previously been an Air Hostess with British Airways for 10 years.

My role as a consultant for several suppliers in Travel Retail has given me a broad knowledge of the Industry and I have gained experience in dealing with the retailers whilst providing an in-depth service to those suppliers that I represent – which includes Twinings, Taittinger, Leonidas and Travel Blue.

I joined the Travel Retail Consortium in 2009 as a representative for Imperial Tobacco (with whom I worked for 28 years!) and took on the role of Secretary in 2012.  In addition, I lead in the coordination of the Annual Events held by the TRC; something I thoroughly enjoy having worked in the events business in a previous life!

secretary@travelretailconsortium.co.uk

Gary Taylor

Gary Taylor

Treasurer

Gary Taylor has joined the TRC as its treasurer. He is recently retired after 39 years with Time Products (UK) Ltd where he spent 18 years as Sales Director with specific responsibility for managing the Key Account Sales team and growing sales of Sekonda watches across all overseas and Travel Retail channels

treasurer@travelretailconsortium.co.uk