The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is one of the most hotly anticipated travel retail events of the year. SB runs through the unmissable soirées, seminars and stands.

A highlight of the global travel retail and duty free calendar, the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) World Exhibition & Conference is a must-attend event for all stakeholders in the industry.

This year, the event takes on an even greater sense of significance. Sales in the global channel contracted by 2.3% in value terms, with wines and spirits falling by 2.7% to US$10.2 billion. If ever there was a time to pull together, it is surely now.

And that is what is set to happen from 2-7 October, as 6,500 industry professionals, one third of them landlords and retailers, gather together at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes. Almost 500 exhibitors will showcase more than 3,000 premium brands, providing plenty of food for thought as the industry seeks to navigate the choppy waters it finds itself in.

On the drinks side, more than 105 wines and spirits producers will present their wares, from international conglomerates to independent ‘craft’ producers. In fact, never has the travel retail spirits buyer had such diversity at their fingertips during the event – as documented over the following pages.

But away from the show floor, there is plenty to see, do and soak up. For those in Cannes ahead of the show, the TFWA has organised a raft of leisure activities on the Sunday morning. While pre-registration is required for many, there is still time to get your name down for the TFWA Care Run with a route which takes in the famous Croisette waterfront. A €15 donation will enable you to compete either individually or as part of a team, with all funds going to TFWA Care projects. Spectators are also welcome!

Addressing the industry

Taking place on the Monday, the annual TFWA Conference is an indispensable resource, especially given the economic and geopolitical stress the industry finds itself under.

TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen will open proceedings with his state of the industry address, detailing the challenges and seeking out opportunities in the current market environment.

He will be followed by a series of keynote speakers. Julián Díaz, chief executive of Dufry, will offer his unique perspective on the sector during period of consolidation and wider evolution. David Miliband. the former UK foreign secretary, now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, will assess the serious challenges currently facing the world, from the refugee crisis to Brexit.

Finally, the social media pioneer Randi Zuckerberg will deliver a presentation inspired by her career. She worked at Facebook from 2005 to 2011, before setting up her own business, Zuckerberg Media, a boutique marketing firm and production company.

The conference activity is not limited to Monday morning. A pair of early-bird seminars will take in the Russian market and the inflight sector, before TFWA Research’s partners present their insights on Wednesday.
“There is considerable opportunity for growth in our industry, but we also face challenges from a diverse range of quarters,” says Juul-Mortensen.

“The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will provide attendees with useful and up-to-date information that will help them to overcome these challenges. Sharing debate on the latest thinking in our business will enable us to lay the foundations for a successful future in the duty free and travel retail industry across the world.”

Scroll down for our pick of unmissable Cannes stands at the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.

BEHN GROUP

Stand: Green Village, H52
Key brands: Danzka Vodka, Dooley’s Cream Liqueur

Behn Group will use the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2016 as a platform to launch Danzka The Spirit, a brand new vodka developed by Rüdiger Behn, fourth generation distiller, and managing director, Behn Group,
and Timothy Jacob Jensen, chief designer at Jacob Jensen Design.

Billed as a blend of “the highest distilling arts with Scandinavian design traditions”, the release “began
as an idea between friends by the beautiful Limfjord in Denmark,” Behn says.

The Danzka brand will also introduce a new communication campaign created by Jacob Jensen Design in Denmark. The campaign has two key messages: Danzka’s “iconic” bottle design, and the fact that the aluminium material it is made from chills faster than a regular vessel.

Multipacks remain a key focus for the brand, and while the 4 x 1l pack has been available for some time, in Cannes visitors can view the 4 x 5cl miniatures gift pack featuring Original, Apple, Citrus and CranRaz varieties.

Sticking with the flavour theme, a new liquorice variant from Dooley’s cream liqueur will be on show.


BORCO INTERNATIONAL

Stand: Green Village, M74
Key brands: Sierra Tequila, Stroh Rum, Ron Vacilón

The Cannes event is the “perfect opportunity to meet top decision makers in one spot”, says Dr Tina Ingwersen- Matthiesen, a Borco board member and part of the company’s controlling family. “We seize the chance to see partners from our export markets, do further networking and accelerate business in new countries.”

At the show, the company will present its relaunched and extended Sierra Milenario Tequila range, with three new SKUs added to the core Blanco, Reposado and Extra-Añejo range.

Sierra Milenario Añejo, Sierra Milenario Café and Sierra Milenario Fumado are all 100% agave Tequilas. Sierra Milenario Tequila Añejo is distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills, Sierra Milenario Tequila Añejo is stored in American white oak barrels for up to 18 months, while Sierra Milenario Café is made from highland agave, highland coffee from Chiapas and vanilla from Veracruz.

Borco will also use the event to launch Cuban rum Ron Vacilón – “We will reveal further details on this new brand at the start of the TFWA in Cannes,” Ingwersen-Matthiesen adds.

 

BROWN-FORMAN

Stand: Beach Village, B06
Key brands: Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, and Woodford Reserve American whiskeys, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Scotch whiskies, Slane Irish Whiskey

Brown-Forman is celebrating a key milestone at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference: the 20th
anniversary of the company’s entry into the global travel retail channel.

The firm decided to enter the channel in 1996 after a period of research and discussion. Richard Ferne, a veteran duty free executive was hired and relocated to Louisville in early 1997 to lead the team. Since then, global travel retail has become one of the top six revenue generating regions for the company, which is now staffed by a team of 40.

“It is now our opportunity to take our fine brands even further in travel retail through the excellent partnerships we have developed over these years.” said Marshall Farrer, managing director of Brown-Forman Global Travel Retail.

Farrer will host a joint press conference alongside Campbell Brown, president of Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon, on the firm’s brand new stand to discuss new developments for the GTR in general, and Old Forester Bourbon specifically.

 

DISTELL

Stand: Green Village, M64
Key brands: Amarula cream liqueur, Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Ledaig and Tobermory Scotch whiskies, Bain’s Cape Mountain South African whisky

The South Africa-based drinks group Distell returns to Cannes with a number of key product focuses. Amarula cream liqueur is housed in a new ‘Jabulani’ bottle featuring sleek curves and new design elements, including an elephant shape etched into the glass. The product will be available in several formats including 50ml, 500ml PET and one-litre for travel retail.

Amarula’s Dino D’Araujo, says: “The bottle also reflects our commitment to elephant conservation. Since 2002, the Amarula Trust has helped conservationists study elephant behaviour and use the learnings to protect elephants.”

Distell will have a number of releases from its single malt distilleries on stand. An “extremely limited” oloroso cask-matured Deanston 40 Year Old (RRP £850/about US$1,100) will be unveiled, to sit alongside exclusives Tobermory 21 Year Old and Ledaig 19 Year Old Marsala Finish, all available very shortly.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, made from South African grain and double-matured twice in ex-Bourbon casks for up to 48 months, will also be on show.

FRATERNITY SPIRITS

Stand: Blue Village, G3
Key brands: Tequila Corralejo, Ron Prohibido

Mexico-based Fraternity Spirits is in Cannes with a focus firmly on premium and ultra-premium products. CEO Raffaele Berardi says: “Having a breadth of price points and quality is essential to ensure we have products that suit every traveller.”

He is adding three new 100% blue agave ultra-premium SKUs to the Tequila Corralejo stable, all to be unveiled in Cannes.

Corralejo Reposado 1810 has been aged for 11 months in oak and offers notes of “soft wood, chocolate, vanilla, grapefruit, lemon with touches of spice, cinnamon and pepper”. Corralejo Extra Añejo 1821 is double distilled in copper pot stills before spending 36 months in oak barrels, all smaller than 200-litres. It offers a smoky, woody flavour with notes of walnut.

Finally, Corralejo Silver 1753, made using a slow distillation process and bottled directly from cooper pot stills. Aromas of “herbs and citrus such as grapefruit, peppermint and lemon give way to a silky palate”.
Fraternity Spirits will also showcase its new Ron Prohibido 15 (Gran Reserva), created using a 15-year solera system.

LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

Stand: Yellow Village, G54
Key Brands: Sir Edwards blended Scotch, Glen Moray single malt Scotch, Negrita rum, Bardinet liqueurs

French drinks group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet will again showcase its broad portfolio at the TFWA World Exhibition. It includes the single malt Scotch brand Glen Moray, with its new Elgin Heritage Range.

Described as “fabulously full-bodied yet affordable,” the 12, 15 and 18-year-old expressions were created to give consumers “an accessible slice of luxury that doesn’t need to be saved for special occasions,” says brand manager Raphaele Delerue.

On the marketing side, the Bardinet team will unveil a new campaign for Negrita, ‘The Friendly Caribbean’.
The new campaign is said to “perfectly capture Negrita’s vibrant versatility while injecting a flavour of the laid-back vibe from its Caribbean origins”.

In addition, the latest releases from Sir Edwards blended Scotch and the revamped Bardinet liqueurs line will also be showcased on-stand.

 

PATRÓN SPIRITS INTERNATIONAL

Stand: Green Village, J35
Key brands: Patrón Tequila, Patrón liqueurs

Patrón Spirits International will unveil a travel retail exclusive at this year’s show: Patrón Cask Collection Sherry Añejo, designed to speak the language of the single malt consumer.

Made from 100% weber blue agave steam-baked in brick ovens for three days, Patrón Cask Collection Sherry Añejo is produced using both the ‘tahona’ process and the more modern roller mill method. After distillation, the Tequila has been aged for more than two years in oak barrels from Spain previously used to produce oloroso Sherry.

“Sherry casks exhibit an elegant flavour and aroma of pecans, which marry beautifully with the taste of agave,” says Francisco Alcaraz, Patrón’s master distiller.

In addition to the Cask Collection Sherry Añejo, Patrón will have its entire portfolio available to view, including the one-litre bottles launched last year. John Kilmartin, vice president, global travel retail at Patrón Spirits International, says: “Travel retail continues to play a vital role in the global growth of Patrón Tequila, which is why we’re committed to offer unique duty free exclusive products and packages in this important channel.” See page 18 for a full interview with Kilmartin.

 

QUINTESSENTIAL BRANDS

 Stand: Green Village, M71
Key brands: The Dublin Liberties Irish Whiskey; Thomas Dakin, Ophir and Bloom gins; O’Mara’s and Brogan’s liqueurs

2016 marks the second TFWA World Exhibition where Quintessential Brands will exhibit under its own name, following many years as L&L. Two key launches this year are The Dublin Liberties Copper Alley, a limited edition Irish malt whiskey finished in Sherry casks, and a new one-litre format for Thomas Dakin Gin.

“Up until now we’ve only had the 70cl to offer, which works with some operators but not the majority,” says international sales director, William Ovens. “This is going to broaden the opportunity for Dakin. A year ago we only had one gin in the one-litre, and now we have Bloom, Ophir and Dakin; it shows we’re taking travel retail seriously.”

In addition, Brogan’s and O’Mara’s creams will offer buyers alternatives in the sector at a price
advantage to some of the bigger players. However, Ovens says it is the growth of super-premium-plus gins that are causing the most excitement: “The sales that we’re experiencing directly with our brands, the growth of gin and the growth of Irish whiskey – there’s still so much untapped potential for us.”

 

STOLI GROUP

Stand: Beach Village, 02
Key brands: Stolichnaya Vodka

After a launch in the US domestic market earlier this year, Stolichnaya Vodka will now release its Stoli Gluten Free Vodka variant into global travel retail. The company has reported “very positive initial feedback” from distributors, retailers and bartenders after the initial introduction, with more than 8,000 nine-litre cases already sold in the US.

Made from a base of 88% corn and 12% buckwheat, Stoli Gluten Free has been created not just to meet the needs of gluten-free consumers, but to address a growing lifestyle demand.

“We are absolutely delighted with the feedback so-far, our high expectations have been met and we expect sales to continue growing throughout the year,” said Dayna Dennington, regional director, duty free North and Central America, Stoli Group.

“In regards to US duty free, we have officially launched Stoli Gluten Free with Starboard cruise lines and will be launching it in airports through Dufry in Q4 with a large concourse activation in Las Vegas Airport in November. Q4 will also see the addition of a 1.5-litre bottle.”

 

 

UNDERBERG

Stand: Green Village, M70
Key brands: Underberg, Asbach, Pitú, Xuxu

German drinks group Underberg will have a broad range of products on its stand at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition.

Its eponymous liqueur will be present with portion-sized bottles, alongside the limited edition gift tin for 2017 featuring the folk boyband voXXclub. Sibling product Brasilberg will also be available, as will the specialities Asbach and Asbach Fire.

The cachaça brand Pitú will also be on-stand, with Underberg focusing on its signature serve, the Pitúrinha. All the serve needs is two to three teaspoons of cane sugar, a glass full of crushed ice, and a 5cl measure of the spirit.

The liqueur Xuxu is another brand on show, created using strawberries pressed into a pulp, before being blended with vodka and a squeeze of lime.

In addition, Underberg now distributes Southern Comfort to certain travel retailers, available in varieties and formats including 50cl PET and one- litre for the original; one-litre for Southern Comfort Blood Orange, and one-litre for Southern Comfort Lime.

 

VANA TALLINN

Stand: Yellow Village, H63
Key brands: Vana Tallinn, Crafter’s London Dry Gin

The Estonian firm Liviko is exhibiting under the umbrella of its rum-based liqueur brand, Vana Tallinn. “It is extremely important for us to be here,” says Anna-Kai Tõrs, Liviko’s brand manager “The show has proven to be successful for the company every year.”

Vana Tallinn is infused with natural spices including cinnamon, vanilla and citrus peel oils. The line is led by Vana Tallinn Elégance. Other product focuses include Crafter’s London Dry Gin, a “handcrafted” spirit that has seen its first four batches sell out. The gin is produced using Nordic botanicals, including
veronica and fennel, plus quality spirit.

On the cream liqueurs side, Vana Tallinn has added a new variant: Vana Tallinn Yoghurt Cream. “It is a truly innovative product containing genuine yoghurt and, of course, a hint of Vana Tallinn liqueur,” Tõrs adds. “It’s perfect for smoothies, or served well-chilled.

“Today’s consumer wants to know more about the origins of his or her drink: who’s behind it, how it is created. Hand-made, crafted products are very much on trend. Estonia is a small country with the purest air in the world.”

 

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

Stand: Golden Village, G02
Key brands: Glenfiddich, Tullamore Dew, Monkey Shoulder whiskies, Drambuie liqueur, Hendrick’s Gin

The TFWA World Exhibition 2016 will see William Grant & Sons refine its TR offer with new and refreshed packaging across key collections, as well as highlight a number of key activations for Monkey Shoulder whisky and Hendrick’s Gin.

“This year sees the emphasis on creative new packaging and presentations for existing brands with some very relevant brand updates that reflect customer feedback,” says Ed Cottrell, William Grant & Sons’ global travel retail managing director.

The travel retail exclusive Glenfiddich Cask Collection gets new packaging to “reflect the ongoing evolution of the Cask Collection range”. The new look is meant to strengthen the collection’s on-shelf visibility and enhance premium cues.

The firm will also have new packaging for Drambuie Scotch Liqueur, the first major development for the brand since it was acquired in 2014.

The Irish whiskey Tullamore Dew also has a makeover for its TR exclusive products, with a new 50cl format.

“The changes and additions this year create a compelling and undeniably ‘must-stock’ offer,” Cottrell adds.