TRBusiness and event partner m1nd-set are delighted to announce that BAT Global Travel Retail Limited is supporting the 2023 TR Consumer Forum as a Diamond Sponsor.

Taking place in Vienna from 21-23 June, the duty free and travel retail (DF&TR) industry’s first and only consumer centric conference is curated under the theme of ‘Facing the Future; Preparing for Tomorrow’s Consumer Today’ and will address a variety of top priority topics to help stakeholders strategise and stay relevant to the travelling consumer from all regions.

BAT Global Travel Retail Limited believes it is an important knowledge sharing opportunity for DF&TR stakeholders and a key fixture in the industry’s annual calendar.

“The TR Consumer Forum is an opportunity to gain a direct insight into the behaviours, attitudes and preferences of travelling consumers who shop at DF&TR stores,” said Tony Clayton, Head of Customer Management, BAT Global Travel Retail.

“Consumer feedback is valuable for retailers and brands to understand their target audience better and tailor their offerings accordingly.

“It highlights emerging consumer trends in the travel retail space – such as the types of products consumers are interested in, how they make purchasing decisions, and the role of digital and technologies.

“Staying on top of these trends is important for stakeholders to keep their strategies and operations relevant.”

The event’s role in fostering collaboration and networking between stakeholders is also a major draw card, according to BAT Global Travel Retail Limited.

“By coming together to discuss common challenges and opportunities, as presented through the consumer lens, the industry can work towards solutions and innovations that address actual consumer needs and demands,” said Clayton.

“Overall, we believe it is a forum aimed at learning – better serving travelling consumers should motivate the industry to be more consumer-centric in how they operate and make strategic decisions,” he continued.

“Consumer feedback helps to align the industry with the end users’ perspectives and requirements.”

BAT Global Travel Retail Limited is eagerly anticipating the blend of learning and networking opportunities that the TR Consumer Forum presents.

“We are looking forward to insights into recent trends and how consumer behaviours are shifting. This could reveal new opportunities for the industry,” said Clayton. “Add to this the panel discussions and talks featuring industry experts sharing their analysis of the consumer data and opinions.

“Outside of the conference sessions, networking with other stakeholders could lead to new partnerships, collaborations, and business opportunities.

“A forum bringing together all the players in the industry ecosystem facilitates interaction and communication between the different parties.”

During the three-day conference, the company will be maximising opportunities to raise further awareness of its major goals in travel retail in 2023.

“We will continue our communication on what ‘A Better Tomorrow’ is to our partners, customers and consumers,” revealed Clayton.

“We have a clear purpose to build ‘A Better Tomorrow’ by reducing the health impact of our business and to continue to build brands of the future with a multi-category portfolio of non-combustible products, tailored to meet the preferences of adult consumers.

“Furthermore, we aim to creating a digital consumer journey in partnership with our retail partners and airport authorities through immersive brand activations in global strategic hubs, creating a digital and seamless consumers journey for our consumers worldwide.”

All of this is with a view to “seizing the momentum to maximise the growth potential the market has with less travel restrictions”.

In December 2022, BAT Global Travel Retail Limited introduced Vuse Go (its latest innovation for the travel retail market under its flagship vapour brand Vuse) in Dubai Duty Free.

The launch marked yet another step toward delivering the company’s purpose by providing adult smokers with a wide range of alternative choices to smoking traditional cigarettes.

Vuse Go, a disposable no-charging required vape designed for those on the move, provides ‘flexibility, convenience, and an alternative choice to smokers, who may otherwise continue to smoke’, according to the company.

Following its launch in Dubai, BAT Global Travel Retail Limited plans to expand Vuse Go’s global footprint this year, entering other travel retail markets across Europe throughout 2023.

To find out more about the 2023 TR Consumer Forum, please visit www.travelretailconsumerforum.com.