Current Members

2. Current Members

3. The Travel Retail Consortium is a UK-based suppliers’ club, with a 40-year track record, whose sole focus is serving buyers and retailers in the travel retail industry.

4. Our objectives • 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 Bi-monthly member business meetings Held at member or customer locations, these regular meetings enable non-political discussions on trade issues. It’s part of our ethos that confidential matters such as margins and terms are not discussed. Topics include industry issues, new operators, new services, business opportunities, maximising the opportunity of Brexit, as well as, training and performance management. Invited industry speakers shed light on current hot topics for our market. Annual customer social event Every year we hold a customer event where the emphasis is put firmly on fun, relaxation and relationship building. Past events include Dragon Boat Racing, Newbury Race Day and Jersey Wine Tasting. These events are held in high regard by members, buyers and retailers.

5. From our humble beginnings.... The Consortium Club was established on 21st October 1971. Founding Companies were: Worth Perfumes, Beechams, Whitbread, Booths Gin, General Foods and Martini Rossi In the early years of duty free trading, Airline customers included Court Line, Dan Air, Laker, British United, Caledonian, BOAC and BEA to name but a few. The buyers were actual onboard Pursers. The first Duty Free Shop Operators covering Heathrow and Gatwick were Fenton Hill, Trust House Forte and Allders – Harrods came on the scene in the 80s. Ferries: Townsend Thorenson, Sealink and Seafrance were the main operators across the English Channel and Hoverlloyd was the first hovercraft company operating out of Pegwell Bay near Ramsgate. Sealink also ran the Irish routes. Over the years the club increased membership by expanding the category product class and today has a membership of 13 companies. It has been known as the Travel Retail Consortium since 2011. Consolidation and takeovers not only changed the profile of the membership, but also the industry. The first in the 70s to have a major impact was the takeover of the Distillers company by Guinness. To this end all the Distillers individual brands were now distributed under one company, at that time named United Distillers and now, Diageo.

6. Benefits of membership • Membership provides excellent networking opportunities within the industry, both in terms of regular meetings between the different representative suppliers and the annual social event for buyers and retailers. • Trade discussions amongst travel retail professionals • Sharing of operational insights and buyer contacts • Key industry speakers providing valuable insights • Corporate hospitality that is affordable as part of the group Exclusive membership by category • Organisations actively involved in the Travel Retail supply chain are invited to join, subject to the product category being available. • Membership within TRC is non-competitive with one company per product category, for example, one Champagne brand only. This ensures that we remain a pro-active, supportive group.

7. TRC Event • The TRC members invite the senior management and buyers from travel retail customers to a 1 day event. Every 2-3 years customers are invited with their partners to a fun social weekend. In the past we have enjoyed Winter Wonderland and Sailing on the Solent. • The 1 day events always have a business focus, with a product showcase so that members can present their new product launches. • For the weekend events, there are organised activities and there is always black tie event, commencing with a Champagne Reception followed by the Gala Dinner and lots of dancing. Consortium custom is that bacon rolls and coffee are served for those still around at 1.00 am.

8. Charity • The TRC chooses to support charities and in the past has donated to the Smile Train, the Royal Marsden and the Beacon Centre. • The charity for each year is selected by the Chairperson and is often of a personal nature. • Donations are raised at the Annual Event and Business Lunches by way of raffles and tombolas. Prizes are donated by the member companies. • The current charity is The Children’s Hyperinsulinism Charity. Created by parents of children with congenital hyperinsulinism the charity seeks to improve the lives of the children who have this rare, life-threatening condition where the risk of low blood sugar leads to a lifetime of medical tests, procedures or operations and therapies. As a result of the persistent low blood sugars, children can also suffer brain damage and other lifelong neurological and a wide range of side effects from treatments.

9. Current Officers of the TRC • Chairperson - Rebecca Harwood Lincoln, Swiss Eyewear Group • Vice Chairperson - Jonathan Corbett, Guinness • Treasurer - Martyn Westbury, Swiss Eyewear Group • Secretary - Tina Davies, Twinings All enquiries to: info@travelretailconsortium.co.uk Visit our website: www.travelretailconsortium.co.uk