The general feeling from the ISPY2015 tradeshow was very positive when TRBusiness met with exhibitors today. Those manning the booths, which were visited by members of the ‘world’s best-selling cabin crew’ yesterday, along with airline management, felt that the crew’s feedback was extremely useful and the ‘buzz’ in the room was infectious.

Lindsay Kelson, Brand Manager Gate Retail Onboard (GRO), – which is one of the ISPY2015 sponsors, told TRBusiness that Gate Retail Onboard’s involvement with ISPY was ‘hugely important’.

Kelson said GRO wants to raise its awareness at the show and to communicate with airlines and crew that Gate Retail Onboard is a one-stop solutions provider for airlines worldwide.

“ISPY is hugely important for us,” said Kelson, “everything is about as are the crew and the airlines’ customers.” One of the newest projects that GRO is very proud of is a new social and training App that they are currently trialling with Wizz Air.

Kelson said: We’ve had phenomenal feedback on the App already.”

POTENTIAL FOR NEW BUSINESS

Although comparatively young, compared to the rest of the gategroup business, GRO already works with around 10 airlines. After ISPY2015 it wouldn’t be a surprise if the total number increases.

[As reported the Dufry Group’s Xavier Rossinyol, Chief Operating Officer of Region 1 EMEA & Asia is to leave the company this April to become the new CEO at gategroup which describes itself as ‘the leading independent global provider of products, services and solutions related to a passenger’s on-board experience’. Gate Gourmet is the catering arm of the group.]

It wouldn’t be a surprise if some of the ISPY tradeshow exhibitors entered into new airline contracts during the week, too; enter Cocofinity Ltd. The company, which specialises in the design and distribution of consumer electronic accessories, may only be currently trading with two UK airlines – easyJet and Jet2,  with three products a piece – but their reputation for good business practice precedes them.

 

 

“[Cocofinity Ltd] have made my job a lot easier by being a new supplier that gets airline requirements for selling off the page,” said John Edwards – Buying Executive Jet2.com & Jet2holidays.

 

At ISPY 2015 Cocofinity Ltd told TRBusiness that the company’s impressive selection of products had interest from numerous airlines, thanks to the crew. “It’s great to be in front of the crew,” said Corina O’Connor Cocofinity Ltd Cofounder/ Director. “They know their customer profile…they are my shop window.”

 

Corina O’Connor and Bernard Brunt, Cofounder/ Director [pictured top] say that although they have had great feedback from many concessionaires and crew, it’s sometimes hard to continue talks or confirm orders once the tradeshows have come to an end. TRBusiness suspects that this could be a symptom of being the new kids on the block…

 

This isn’t a problem for seasoned suppliers Premier Portfolio, which began operations back in 1999. Since then the company has signed agreements with 200 airlines and have picked up two Frontier Awards along the way.

 

They have monitored they way in which buying habits and trends have evolved over the years, and have adapted their selection of products to meet demand. “Right now ladies accessories are very big for us,” Garry Maxwell told TRBusiness at ISPY2015.

 

The company says its fun Nail Art packs and bejewelled Nail Files are performing extremely well and its skin care brand Transformulas, [recently taken on from Scorpio], has fantastic potential to grow in travel retail

 

Although the company has ambitions to expand the business on all continents, Maxwell hopes that their presence at the upcoming IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas will help Premier Portfolio to push into LatAm markets.