Lindt & Sprüngli Global Duty Free is now known as Lindt & Sprüngli Global Travel Retail, the company has announced.

The name change reflects the evolution of the dedicated business unit.

Under its new guise, Lindt & Sprüngli Global Travel Retail will concentrate on implementing a new category vision aimed at driving growth in the luxury chocolate category.

Select retail partners were afforded a sneak preview of the new category vision, due to be formally released within the next year, during the TFWA World Conference & Exhibition.

Peter Zehnder, Head of Lindt Global Travel Retail, said: “With the industry transitioning from recovery mode into an exciting period of opportunity and growth, we have been delighted to share with our partners news of investment, innovation and insight across our portfolio and wider travel retail business.”

Five demand pillars

Following extensive research, Lindt has devised five demand pillars that it views as applicable to global confectionery shoppers’ needs: Treat, Indulge, Recharge, Connect and Delight.

Underpinning the vision is a product portfolio, which will be strengthened in 2023 and beyond with a number of new formats across its core lines.

The well-known Lindor range will be bolstered with the launch of a new premium Lindor Gift Box 287g, combining a premium travel retail exclusive look with other design cues.

This novelty addresses the often overlooked year-round gifting opportunity, with 90% of purchases intended for gifting outside of festive seasons, says Lindt.

The Lindt Napolitains range will be expanded via a travel retail exclusive format for on-the-go snacking and sharing.

Lindt Napolitains Assorted Bag 85g is aimed at the self-consumption segment, which Lindt believes represents the biggest growth pillar in the confectionery category.

According to the company, the format will appeal to shoppers in the premium segment while expanding the brand’s presence at cash tills and other impulse locations.

Changing shopper dynamics

The Napolitains Carrier Box 500g are clad in destination sleeves, such as Switzerland and Dubai, which cater to duty free shoppers’ demand for souvenirs and gifts personal to specific locations.

Looking at gifting in the tablet segment, Lindt’s Gold & Silver 300g Tablets Messages Sleeves feature messages such as ‘Thank You’, ‘I Love You’ and ‘Thought of You’, which are believed to create strong interest in a segment that sits behind boxes, tubes and tins.

Meanwhile, 10 new pralines with ‘contemporary ingredients and a focus on quality and variety of flavours’ characterise the new Swiss Masterpieces range in 143g, 193g and 386g options.

A new, modern design features a metallic effect and gold tone finished off with a real bow.

Finally, Nuxor offers Gianduja chocolates with crunchy whole roasted hazelnuts presented in elegant ballotins.

Launched this year, the premium 165g box containing individually gold-wrapped pralines are available in two variants – Milk and Milk & Dark Assorted.

“As shopper behaviour continues to evolve rapidly in travel retail it is vital that we work with our partners to respond to these dynamics,” added Zehnder.

“Our new category vision lays out a clear roadmap for the chocolate category and offers valuable insights into the opportunities for growth, while the latest novelties in our portfolio ensure we have an offer that directly addresses these opportunities.”