The Travel Retail Awards stand out for being the only consumer-voted awards programme for the DF&TR industry and if you want to be the first to know about the products and initiatives that shoppers rate, there’s still a brief window to secure your place at the ceremony in Cannes.

TRBusiness and data partner m1nd-set are inviting you to join us for an exhilarating evening of celebrations and networking at the 2025 Global Travel Retail Awards, which is taking place on Tuesday 30 September, from 18:45-23:00, at Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, to coincide with the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.

Tables are now sold out but there is still a limited number of single tickets available for purchase – priced at £450 +VAT (20%) – ahead of the portal closing at 5pm (BST) tomorrow, Tuesday 23 September. 

“There’s still time to be part of this special event in Cannes, so please do act fast and come and join us for a memorable evening championing the consumer vote,” said TRBusiness Managing Editor Faye Bartle.

“Thank you to all those who have already booked your tickets. We are looking forward to welcoming you all to our new-look ceremony at Hôtel Martinez.”

The annual awards celebration is set to welcome finalists in the running for a trophy as well as executives from the wider DF&TR industry eager to gain a deeper insight into the minds of travelling consumers and to network with airports, retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders who are ‘Voted by Shoppers’.

There’s a new. more immersive set-up for the ceremony this year, along with a variety of special features characterising the evening, from special serves from our sponsors, to photo opportunities, live music and a chance to win prizes.

High-profile attendees this year include executives from Fraport AG, Heathrow, Qatar Duty Free, Lagardère Travel Retail, Harding+, Dubai Duty Free, Manchester Airports Group, Starboard, IAADFS, Matarat, Aeroporti di Roma and ETRC.

There is also an impressive roster of leading brands represented, including Mondelez World Travel Retail, On the Mark Beauty, William Grant & Sons, Lumene, V. Fraas, Seeberger, The Freixenet Group, BeautyPro, Liht Organics, Villa Sandi, Whyte & Mackay, Food Accademia, Travel Blue, Butlers, ANDS, BAT, Scent of Africa, Bottega SpA, Flipside Luggage, Zaza & Lili, Margaret Dabbs, Cabeau, VSPT Wine Group, Maestrani, Dr. Paw Paw, Fazer, Ajmal, Gassan Diamonds, Jägermeister, Moroccanoil, Mozart Koogles, Travel Blue, Bloom Dead Sea Life – and many more.

We asked a selection of our event partners what to share their views on why a consumer-voted awards programme for the DF&R industry is important.

The Global Travel Retail Awards 2024.

“Travel retail as a channel is a window for brands to the world – that is why, it is important to leverage the channel when thinking about a successful launch of a product,” said Ramon Olivé Altès, Head of Sales – Global Travel Retail, Henkell Freixenet, which is the opening cocktail sponsor.

“The Travel Retail Awards offer a unique opportunity to gauge consumer interest and potential market success.

“By receiving real consumer endorsements through the awards, brand owners gain valuable insights and credibility that can be incorporated into customer presentations – ultimately increasing the likelihood of a successful launch.”

The direct connection to the consumer is also valued by Moroccanoil, the platinum sponsor for the event.

“As a brand, we always value the feedback from our consumers, so we definitely believe it is important that such an award exists, where consumers themselves can choose the products to reward,” commented Sebastien Levi, VP, Global Travel Retail- Direct Premium Retail Europe, Moroccanoil.

Travel Blue Managing Director, Daniel Levin, Managing Director of Travel Blue, which is the gift bag sponsor for the event, also shared his view: “Travel Blue products are designed around the needs of the travelling consumers and our main benchmark of success is consumer satisfaction. The consumer vote should be the top accolade in the business.”

For all those who enter, being recognised in the awards has the potential to make a marked impact on business too, with m1nd-set research showing that travelling consumers are 33% more likely to buy a product bearing the ‘Voted by Shoppers’ Winner stamp of approval.

“Consumers do need an independent view on what other consumers thought were the best product, this does exactly that so showing nominated or winning product holds a lot of weight at point of purchase,” commented Nick King, Group CEO of The Bluedog Group and Managing Director of doplr.

“Therefore, showing this lockup clearly is a really valuable sales aid. It should show on retail displays and perhaps product stickers, perhaps on consumer focussed websites to help consumers decide on their next purchase.”

Henkell Freixenet’s Altès shares the sentiment: “Displaying award recognition on travel retail shelves can be a powerful way to attract consumer attention and build trust.

“Since it’s not always possible to apply labels directly to the product, partnering with retailers to use their own point-of-sale materials – such as shelf labels, signage, or wobblers – can be an effective alternative. This collaboration helps ensure the visibility of the initiative and increases the chances of its success.”

Trophy winners gather on stage at the Global Travel Retail Awards 2024.

It’s something that Travel Blue is already actioning in the channel.

“Travel Blue has a reputation for impactful and engaging displays, in collaboration with our retail partners,” said Levin. “We have successfully promoted Voted by Shoppers in the past and will do in the future.”

Stakeholders teaming up to shine a light on accolade winners within the retail environment, for mutual benefit, was also a point raised by Moroccanoil’s Levi.

“It is important to make sure this stamp of approval is visible to the travellers when they shop, on the shelves in the stores for instance,” he said.

“There could also be a section, with one or two major operators, during one month, where the different winners would be featured. As always, it is really about how the different players in the industry can work together to leverage this great tool.”

Beyond the Travel Retail Awards, when asked what the DF&TR industry could do to help make the voices of travelling consumers heard, Elham Zeadat, CEO, Bloom Dead Sea Gift Enterprises said: “I believe that what’s done recently is great, but always we can do better through out-of-the-box events and activities.”

Altès added: “Capturing consumer feelings and opinions at the point of purchase is essential. The travel retail channel offers a unique shopping environment that no other channel can replicate. That’s why it’s important to empower retailer staff with tools to gather and share consumer feedback effectively.

“Providing them with simple mechanisms – such as quick surveys, feedback cards, or digital input options – can make a big difference.

“Additionally, conducting spontaneous interviews on the shop floor can offer valuable insights into consumer reactions and preferences, helping brands fine-tune their strategies.

“Applying this feedback to the marketing strategies of both retailers and brands will be key to driving relevance and success.”

READ MORE: Revealed: New-look Travel Retail Awards ceremony

READ MORE: Revealed – Travel Retail Awards 2025 finalists

Visit www.travelretailawards.com to find out more – and good luck to all the finalists!

Thank you to our event partners