L-R: Jan Richter, Gebr. Heinemann and Lee Meili, CDFG will join other travel retailers for an interactive panel session.

The Sunglasses Workshop returns with a new venue but familiar format at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes. 

Taking place on Tuesday 1 October at the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic – a move away from The Scene – the 11^th Sunglasses Workshop will feature a customary panel discussion on the current state of the category, followed by an awards ceremony.

Adrian Pittaway, Head of Retail, MSC Cruises will join Lee Meili, Director of Fashion Department, China Duty Free Group and Jan Richter, Director of Fashion/Accessories, Gebr. Heinemann for the on-stage panel discussion led by The Moodie Davitt Report’s Dermot Davitt.

Luca Solca, Managing Director of Luxury Goods at Bernstein will feature as a guest speaker to present how digital is reshaping the luxury market and its implications for sunglasses and the wider travel retail industry.

NEW AWARDS

The 9^th Sunglasses Awards will honour stakeholders in the following areas: Best New Sunglasses Environment; Best Dedicated Sunglasses Sales Team; Best Digital Initiative for the Sunglasses Category; Best Off-Airport Sunglasses Retailer; Sunglasses Retailer of the Year (under US$2bn); and Sunglasses Retailer of the Year (over US$2bn).

In addition two new awards have been introduced this year, Best Marketing Activity: On-Airport and Best Marketing Activity: Off-Airport.

The deadline for the awards is closed and assessments are underway. The judging panel comprises the following:

Alessandra Piccin, Travel Retail Manager, De Rigo; Francesco Leccisi, Vice President, Asia Pacific & Oceania & Global Travel Retail, Essilor; Omar Hagi, Global Head of Centralized Channels, Kering Eyewear; Alessandro Pozzi, Global Channels Director, Luxottica Group; Erwan Le Guennec, Global Travel Retail and E-commerce Director, Marchon; Lucilla Tremonti, Duty Free & Travel Retail Sales Manager, Marcolin; Giles Marks, Senior Duty Free Sales Director, Maui Jim; and Alessandro Marinelli, Head of Global Travel Retail, Safilo Group.

The awards is organised by integrated retail marketing and design firm FILTR and co-sponsored by De Rigo, Essilor, Kering Eyewear, Luxottica Group, Marchon, Marcolin, Maui Jim and Safilo Group.

The co-sponsors said: “We believe in the benefits of sharing knowledge and experiences in an open environment, and for guests to leave the room inspired to continue relentlessly on a journey of growth for the sunglasses category in our channel.”