TRAVEL ESSENTIALS


Demand for hygiene products in travel essentials set to continue


The travel essentials category may have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but as passengers return and new products are launched, there is every chance the category will be afforded more space and rise in prominence. Andrew Pentol reports.


I


n unveiling a new generation concept and brand identity for its Relay travel convenience chain in


November, Lagardère Travel Retail displayed the strength of the travel essentials segment. This is one of its three business lines alongside duty free & fashion and foodservice. According to the Paris-


headquartered travel retailer, the travel essentials segment is also demonstrating the fastest recovery rate. Lagardère attributes the resilience


of the sector to its multi-channel presence (rail, shopping centres and airports) and multi-category offer. Travel essentials have benefitted from other stores being closed during lockdowns such as restaurants. According to the travel retailer,


the crisis has been an opportunity to showcase the importance of travel essentials stores.


New-look Relay concept Shops utilising the new-look Relay concept have already rolled out and will continue into 2021, but how will the travel essentials segment fare next year and what are companies doing to prepare? UK-based Go Travel has used


DECEMBER 2020


the pause period as a result of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to work on new in-store fixtures to support its retail partners. These will execute in 2021. In addition, the


company has continued work on refreshing its packaging and is looking at ways to simplify the messaging. The aim is to more accurately target and engage with DF&TR customers. “In terms of product


launches, we have a number of potential airport/retailer exclusives that we will be unveiling in the coming months,” Steve Worden, General Manager, Go Travel, tells TRBusiness: “Additionally, we are looking at ways to help the retailer enhance the digital in-store experience, as consumers look for experiences and information that allows them to minimise physical contact.” The need to provide a ‘one-


stop-shop’ for all types of travel accessories remains important. “By doing so, we work closely with our retail partners to adapt our offer


in line with the post-Covid traveller and to fit with their rapidly evolving retail environment,” says Worden. “In over 40 years of trading, this pandemic has had the most significant impact on our industry, but it has given us a unique opportunity to step back from the day-to-day business and clearly focus on the direction we [as a company] want to take


in the future. “Go Travel has continued to


“This pandemic has had the most significant impact on our industry, but it has given us a unique opportunity to step back from the day-to- day business and clearly focus on the direction we [as a company] want to take in the future.”


Steve Worden, General Manager, Go Travel


TRBUSINESS 37


Above: The travel essentials category is demonstrating the fastest recovery rate, according to Lagardère Travel Retail.


Left: Go Travel strives to provide a ‘one-stop- shop’ for travel accessories.


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