In a major exclusive interview with TRBusiness magazine this month, Coty’s Senior Vice President of Global Travel Retail Philippe Margueritte says beauty business merger with Procter & Gamble announced in mid-2015, is of the most – if not the most – important in beauty over the past decades.

Most importantly, he tells TRBusiness this month that the benefits of the merger have also been quickly understood by the main operators for three main reasons, as he explained.

A ‘PURE PLAYER IN BEAUTY…’

“The first is that Coty is a pure player in beauty, therefore if we want to grow we need to grow the market and I think operators are happy to have someone fully dedicated and fully investing in the sole beauty market.

Coty’s Senior Vice President of Global Travel Retail Philippe Margueritte with TRBusiness in Paris recently.©.

“Secondly, in the case of travel retail we are combining different capabilities and the best of both companies legacy. Some of P&G strengths were its first-class consumer insight capabilities and advanced in store solutions, while Coty was known for its creativity and agility in the market.

“I think both positive elements are leveraging each other and this is a critical competitive advantage for us today.

GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL TEAM

“Last, but not least, our travel retail team is global so we are representing the three divisions of Coty in Luxury, Consumer Beauty and Professional Beauty in one integrated organisation.

“This is a true simplification for our partners, but also the best way to build synergies between our divisions.”

Within this wide-ranging in-depth interview, Philippe Margueritte also talks in detail about the approach from the top where Coty Luxury’s head Edgar Huber is focused on expanding Coty’s leadership position in prestige fragrances.

Coty’s emerging position is also examined with skincare in the luxury beauty market across all regions and luxury channels – with travel retail being a key one for this beauty channel and several others, including nail care and hair care.

Just some of Coty’s brands and faces in the much-enlarged portfolio.

TRAVEL RETAIL FLAGSHIP SHOPPING LOCATIONS…

Margueritte also points to Coty CEO Camillo Pane’s strategic vision, which includes strengthening global brands and shifting resources to support brands with higher-growth potential.

Asked what role duty free and travel retail has to play in this global brand development, he was emphatic.

“If I may say, I think travel retail is at the heart of it. Why? Because our airports and our partners are building fantastic shopping experiences and we therefore consider these new airports are new flagship shopping places.

Gucci with World Duty Free at London Heathrow Airport T5.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to express the DNA and the luxurious look and feel we bring with our brands. So we are partnering really deeply with our retailers to try to build further those luxury environments.”

For the rest of this major exclusive in-depth interview, pick up a copy of TRBusiness magazine at this week’s Tax Free Asia Pacific show in Singapore, or apply for a subscription to [email protected]