Finalists share the significance of the Travel Retail Awards ahead of the ceremony in Cannes

By Faye Bartle | Wednesday, 2 September 2026 9:01

Excitement is building ahead of the 2026 Global Travel Retail Awards, which is taking place on Tuesday 29 September at Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, but there’s only a couple of weeks left to book your tickets.

Since the finalists were revealed in June, the guest-list has been building fast with executives representing leading stakeholders from across the travel retail ecosystem confirmed to attend.

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Time is ticking to join them in the room, however, for the big reveal of the products and initiatives that consumers have voted the best.

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The ticket portal closes on 11 September and you can click the button below to RSVP and secure your spot.

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TRBusiness and m1nd-set are looking forward to welcoming you to a thrilling evening celebrating the buying preferences of travelling shoppers.–

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In the meantime, a selection of the companies in the running for a trophy share what it means to be recognised as a finalist in this year’s awards programme.

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Heathrow Airport: “There is no greater endorsement than recognition from our passengers”

The London hub has secured a roster of finalist nods across five different categories.

Fraser Brown, Retail Director at Heathrow said: “At Heathrow, we’re all about making every journey better, so there is no greater endorsement than recognition from our passengers. Being voted for in the 2026 Global Travel Retail Awards is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work and dedication of our retail team and concession partners. We’re proud to offer an outstanding retail and dining experience at the world’s most connected airport.”

Mondelēz World Travel Retail (WTR): “We want to give shoppers something they enjoy discovering and choosing when they travel”

Mondelēz WTR is in the running for Best Chocolate/Sugar Confectionery Product, Best Pop-up Store and Best Retail Omnichannel Campaign.

Anna Somogyi, Mondelēz World Travel Retail Director, Category, Customer & Shopper Marketing said: “Being named a finalist is a great achievement for the teams behind the work and for our retail partners who helped bring it to life. It confirms that our Destination: Value vision is working and that what we are creating is connecting with travellers. This is valuable feedback as we continue to look for new ways to make confectionery an exciting and memorable part of the journey. Ultimately, we want to give shoppers something they enjoy discovering and choosing when they travel.”

Executive Retail Shops: “Receiving this recognition validates our vision”

Executive Retail Shops is vying for a trophy for Best Airport Retail Initiative with its World of Wonder concept.

James Mullaney, President of Executive Retail Shops said: “It’s a real honour to be named a finalist for Best Retail Initiative, and I want to thank everyone who voted for us. This year’s World of Wonder was only the second time we had hosted the event. We created World of Wonder as a way to bring together global brands, tastemakers, industry leaders and media for a multi-sensory journey inspired by the ‘corners of the world’, spanning premium spirits, fragrance, beauty, cigars and fine confectionery. The idea was to look at retail beyond another transaction and to enjoy a night of discovery, connection and storytelling. Receiving this recognition validates our vision and we look forward to hosting this event each year. Being a 2026 Global Travel Retail Awards finalist means we need to raise the bar next year.”

Liht Organics: “What makes this recognition especially valuable is that the awards are voted for by consumers”

Liht Organics is up for Best Breakthrough Brand led by its Pore Perfection Primer product.

Nerissa Polke, Founder of Liht Organics said: “We’re incredibly proud to be named a finalist in the 2026 Global Travel Retail Awards. For Liht Organics, it is an important milestone as we continue to introduce the brand and our approach to clean, high-performance beauty to a wider international travel retail audience.

“What makes this recognition especially valuable is that the awards are voted for by consumers. Travellers today are increasingly considered in the products they choose, looking for brands that combine performance with quality, authenticity and values they can connect with. Knowing that Liht Organics has resonated directly with consumers is hugely encouraging and reinforces our belief that the brand has a strong opportunity to grow within global travel retail.”

Henkell International: “A meaningful endorsement from the people who matter most, travellers themselves”

Henkell International has a duo of sips in the Best Low- & No-Alcohol Product category while its Freixenet Solare is a finalist for Best Spirits Product.

Ramon Olivé Altès, Head of Sales Global Travel Retail said: “Being recognised in the Global Travel Retail Awards 2026 is a proud moment for our team and a meaningful endorsement from the people who matter most, travellers themselves. With Freixenet Solare Alcohol Free and Freixenet Diamond Sparkling 0.0% nominated in the alcohol-free category, and Freixenet Solare recognised in the spirits category, this consumer-voted recognition underlines the breadth, relevance, quality and innovation of our portfolio, as well as our commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences across different occasions and shopper needs. At Henkell Freixenet, we believe that together, we can make travel retail sparkle, and this recognition inspires us to continue working closely with our partners to create memorable experiences and bring excitement to travellers around the world.”

Travel Blue: “Buy-in from GTR shoppers is always our goal and the highest accolade”

Travel Blue has finalist nods in a whopping six categories spanning both the products and initiatives accolades.

Daniel Levin, Managing Director of Travel Blue said: “I am really proud that Travel Blue products have been shortlisted by consumers across six categories at this year’s GTR Awards. This is a fantastic result and reflects the quality of products and acknowledgement from travelling consumers. Praise and buy-in from GTR shoppers is always our goal and the highest accolade. Travel Blue is calling on the industry to rethink Travel Essentials, as a new generation of travellers reshapes purchasing behaviour across airports worldwide. Travel Essentials speaks to virtually every passenger regardless of age, nationality or journey purpose. It will drive the next era of airport retail growth.”

Starboard: “Being named a finalist is especially meaningful because this recognition comes directly from the consumers”

Cruise giant Starboard has earned finalist status in the Best Spirits Product and Best Cruise Retail Initiative, Best Shop-in-Shop and Best Travel Retail Partnership categories.

Lisa Bauer, President and CEO of Starboard said: “Retail is an important part of the holiday experience, and we are always looking for new ways to inspire discovery, create lasting memories and deliver experiences that reflect the unique spirit of each ship and cruise line partner. Being named a finalist is especially meaningful because this recognition comes directly from the consumers who experience our retail firsthand. It is a testament to the creativity of our teams and the strength of our partnerships as we continue to bring together exceptional brands, innovative concepts and immersive experiences that make shopping an even more memorable part of the journey.”

On The Mark Beauty: “We prioritise the Travel Retail Awards due to the fact that they are consumer-voted”

On the Mark Beauty is in the running for a trophy for Best Breakthrough Brand, Best Make-up Product, Best Skincare, Haircare, Bath & Body Product and Best Travel Exclusive Product.

Katy Mason, COO at On The Mark Beauty said: “At On The Mark Beauty, we prioritise the Travel Retail Awards due to the fact that they are consumer-voted, but also because we receive genuine and meaningful feedback on our submissions whether we win or lose. If we are lucky enough to win anything, the validation of the consumers who buy our products means so much more to us.”

Reasons to attend the Travel Retail Awards

Attending the ceremony is a valuable business opportunity, whether you are in with a chance to taking away a trophy or not.

As a ticket holder, you will get a first look at what consumers are backing, can capitalise on the chance to make valuable industry connections and take fresh ideas back to your business.

You’ll be welcomed with a networking cocktail sponsored by Henkell Freixenet before being ushered to you seat for a sumptuous three-course, plated meal prepared by Hôtel Martinez chefs.

For the main event, you can soak up the excitement of the immersive ceremony, with our distinctive central stage giving guests a 360-degree view of the action. Guest presenters will be making an appearance and, once again, there are trophies for those earning Winner and Highly Recommended status.

The celebrations will continue into the evening at high-energy after party featuring popular live brand Brightlights. Plus, everyone will receive a complimentary event bag filled with gifts, sponsored by Travel Blue.
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Single tickets are priced at £ 460 +VAT (20%) while a table of 10 can be secured for £4,430 +VAT (20%). Please click the button above to secure your place in the room.
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For sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected]
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To find out more, please visit www.travelretailawards.com

READ NEXT: NEWS ALERT: Extra days to enter!

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Finalists share the significance of the Travel Retail Awards ahead of the ceremony in Cannes

By Faye Bartle | Wednesday, 2 September 2026 9:01

Since the finalists were revealed in June, the guest-list has been building fast with executives representing leading stakeholders from across the travel retail ecosystem confirmed to attend.

–

Time is ticking to join them in the room, however, for the big reveal of the products and initiatives that consumers have voted the best.

–

The ticket portal closes on 11 September and you can click the button below to RSVP and secure your spot.

–

TRBusiness and m1nd-set are looking forward to welcoming you to a thrilling evening celebrating the buying preferences of travelling shoppers.–

–

In the meantime, a selection of the companies in the running for a trophy share what it means to be recognised as a finalist in this year’s awards programme.

–

Heathrow Airport: “There is no greater endorsement than recognition from our passengers”

The London hub has secured a roster of finalist nods across five different categories.

Mondelēz World Travel Retail (WTR): “We want to give shoppers something they enjoy discovering and choosing when they travel”

Executive Retail Shops: “Receiving this recognition validates our vision”

Executive Retail Shops is vying for a trophy for Best Airport Retail Initiative with its World of Wonder concept.

Liht Organics: “What makes this recognition especially valuable is that the awards are voted for by consumers”

Liht Organics is up for Best Breakthrough Brand led by its Pore Perfection Primer product.

Henkell International: “A meaningful endorsement from the people who matter most, travellers themselves”

Travel Blue: “Buy-in from GTR shoppers is always our goal and the highest accolade”

Travel Blue has finalist nods in a whopping six categories spanning both the products and initiatives accolades.

Starboard: “Being named a finalist is especially meaningful because this recognition comes directly from the consumers”

Cruise giant Starboard has earned finalist status in the Best Spirits Product and Best Cruise Retail Initiative, Best Shop-in-Shop and Best Travel Retail Partnership categories.

On The Mark Beauty: “We prioritise the Travel Retail Awards due to the fact that they are consumer-voted”

On the Mark Beauty is in the running for a trophy for Best Breakthrough Brand, Best Make-up Product, Best Skincare, Haircare, Bath & Body Product and Best Travel Exclusive Product.

Reasons to attend the Travel Retail Awards

Attending the ceremony is a valuable business opportunity, whether you are in with a chance to taking away a trophy or not.

As a ticket holder, you will get a first look at what consumers are backing, can capitalise on the chance to make valuable industry connections and take fresh ideas back to your business.

You’ll be welcomed with a networking cocktail sponsored by Henkell Freixenet before being ushered to you seat for a sumptuous three-course, plated meal prepared by Hôtel Martinez chefs.

READ NEXT: NEWS ALERT: Extra days to enter!

Finalists share the significance of the Travel Retail Awards ahead of the ceremony in Cannes

Heathrow Airport: “There is no greater endorsement than recognition from our passengers”

Mondelēz World Travel Retail (WTR): “We want to give shoppers something they enjoy discovering and choosing when they travel”

Executive Retail Shops: “Receiving this recognition validates our vision”

Liht Organics: “What makes this recognition especially valuable is that the awards are voted for by consumers”

Henkell International: “A meaningful endorsement from the people who matter most, travellers themselves”

Travel Blue: “Buy-in from GTR shoppers is always our goal and the highest accolade”

Starboard: “Being named a finalist is especially meaningful because this recognition comes directly from the consumers”

On The Mark Beauty: “We prioritise the Travel Retail Awards due to the fact that they are consumer-voted”

Reasons to attend the Travel Retail Awards

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Finalists share the significance of the Travel Retail Awards ahead of the ceremony in Cannes

Heathrow Airport: “There is no greater endorsement than recognition from our passengers”

Mondelēz World Travel Retail (WTR): “We want to give shoppers something they enjoy discovering and choosing when they travel”

Executive Retail Shops: “Receiving this recognition validates our vision”

Liht Organics: “What makes this recognition especially valuable is that the awards are voted for by consumers”

Henkell International: “A meaningful endorsement from the people who matter most, travellers themselves”

Travel Blue: “Buy-in from GTR shoppers is always our goal and the highest accolade”

Starboard: “Being named a finalist is especially meaningful because this recognition comes directly from the consumers”

On The Mark Beauty: “We prioritise the Travel Retail Awards due to the fact that they are consumer-voted”

Reasons to attend the Travel Retail Awards