TRBusiness is delighted to announce that Nestlé International Travel Retail (ITR) is supporting the 2026 TR Consumer Forum as a Coffee Break sponsor.

This year’s edition of the DF&TR industry’s consumer-centric Forum is taking place from 1-3 July at the IATA Geneva Conference Center, with IATA as the Host Partner.

The Coffee & Networking Lounge sponsored by Nestlé ITR and led by KitKat, is taking place from 10:45-11:30 on Friday 3 July – please click here to view the full agenda.

“The TR Consumer Forum has become an important annual event in the travel retail calendar because it puts the traveller at the heart of every discussion; something that is more critical than ever in a fast-evolving channel,” said Fred Porchet, General Manager, Nestlé ITR.

“At Nestlé International Travel Retail, this strongly aligns with our A.C.T. framework – Attract, Convert and Thrive – which is designed to place experience, engagement and innovation at the centre of the traveller journey. The Forum provides a valuable platform to explore exactly how we can better attract travellers through more visible and engaging retail environments, convert them through meaningful and emotionally resonant experiences, and ultimately thrive by building long-term category value.”

He continued: “What makes the event particularly powerful is the diversity of perspectives it brings together – from retailers and brand owners to data specialists and innovators. These conversations help shape more relevant, insight-driven and differentiated retail strategies across the channel.

“Our KitKat coffee break brings this to life by creating a simple moment of enjoyment, while showcasing how we innovate with travel retail exclusives and partnerships to connect with today’s travellers in more relevant and dynamic ways.”

Left: Fred Porchet, General Manager, Nestlé ITR. Right: KitKat has a high-profile global collaboration with Formula 1, which includes travel retail‑exclusive products.

For the company, consumer and shopper behaviour is described as “critical given the diversity and constant flow of international travellers”.

“At Nestlé International Travel Retail, insights power our A.C.T. approach,” explained Porchet. “We use them to attract attention in busy environments, convert through key emotional drivers like gifting, sharing and self-treat, and thrive through innovation and brand relevance.

“Today’s travellers expect immediacy, personal relevance and memorable experiences. By continuously analysing behaviour, we can tailor our products and activations – from exclusives to global partnerships like KitKat’s collaboration with Formula 1 – ensuring we stay culturally connected and commercially effective.”

This year’s global conference agenda is being brought to life under the banner of ‘From Air Traffic to Consumer Action: Putting Travellers at the Heart of Retail’, with plenty of valuable networking opportunities. Please click the button above to view the full agenda.

A common thread for the speakers will be sharing their observations on how travellers prefer to shop in the channel.

From Nestlé ITR’s perspective: “One of the most significant shifts we are seeing is the growing demand for immediacy, simplicity and emotional connection in the shopping experience. That shift is also in part linked to the generational change, i.e. the increasing importance of Gen Z travellers.

Purchasing in travel retail is becoming more purposeful, with greater emphasis on “value, exclusivity and shareable experiences”, according to Nestlé ITR.

“Travellers today are increasingly mission-driven. They want to make quick, confident decisions, but they are also looking for products that deliver enjoyment, discovery and a sense of reward. At the same time, purchasing is becoming more purposeful, with greater emphasis on value, exclusivity and shareable experiences.

“Our response is guided by A.C.T. – strengthening visibility to attract, simplifying choice and activating key triggers to convert, and investing in innovation to thrive. This includes more impactful in-store execution, clearer segmentation and a strong pipeline of travel retail exclusives and experiences.

“KitKat is a great example. Beyond delivering a simple moment of enjoyment, the brand is evolving through global activations and its collaboration with Formula 1, alongside travel retail-exclusive products – demonstrating how we partner with one of the world’s most dynamic platforms to engage modern travellers and elevate the overall retail experience.”

Tickets to the TR Consumer Forum are available until Friday 19 June and delegates can book their stay at the preferred hotel, the Crowne Plaza Hotel Geneva by IHG.

Visit TRConsumerForum.com to find out more.

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