In the latest Adapt and Survive video interview, Petra Eckhardt-Koestler, Director Global Retail & Ikam Eyewear, Rodenstock GmbH tells TRBusiness that in the last few months the company has actually benefitted from strengthening its partnerships with strategic Asia Pacific retailers, such as China Duty Free Group (CDFG) and Shilla Duty Free in Hong Kong.

 

However, as was expected, Shilla HK has had to ‘shut down its stores again’ at Hong Kong International Airport to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, says Eckhardt-Koestler. Nonetheless, she remains positive about the company’s ambitions to increase its footprint in Mainland China in places such as Beijing, Shanghai and Haikou.

 

“Even now we are preparing our high profile promotions for the summertime, and we are working intensively to support China Duty Free Group (CDFG) in their new online platform that they recently set up.”

 

Eckhardt-Koestler says the Rodenstock travel retail team continues to keep in touch with its many retail partners across the world at this time, supporting them in anyway they can, whilst remaining in a state of constant preparedness for the inevitable return of travellers.

 

“We are already thinking about the future. How can we help our partners to get back on track?”

 

ADAPT AND SURVIVE SERIES

Adapt and Survive asks members of the travel retail industry community, often working from home (WFH), for their candid commentary on the constantly evolving Covid-19 pandemic.

The video series is a direct response to the industry’s critical need for direct, factual and analytical commentary and – in typical TRBusiness fashion – interprets clearly and concisely the challenges faced by travel retail during Covid-19.

To register your interest in the Adapt and Survive series, please contact one of editorial team at the following addresses: charl[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].