Swiss herb drops purveyor Ricola has extended its partnership with B&S Brand Distribution (B&S) to cover the Middle East, Latin America and Caribbean travel retail markets (excluding airport retail).

Ricola’s travel retail exclusive range of drops will now be available from multiple points across the B&S global distribution network, including via its B2B e-commerce platform.

Netherlands firm B&S Brand Distribution has been distributing Ricola’s exclusive travel retail assortment to airlines, border shops and maritime (ferry/cruise/ship chandler) shops throughout Scandinavia since November 2021.

Temperature-controlled warehouse

“Throughout our 80 years plus history we have always looked for opportunities to improve not only the products we sell but also the ways we deliver them to our customers and consumers,” said Ricola Head of Travel Retail Andreas Reckart.

 

“In this spirit, we had a closer look at distribution within our current travel retail business and realised that a collaboration with the right strategic partner would result in a better service for our customers.

“We soon found our ideal partner in B&S with an initial agreement for Scandinavia, but we have quickly realised that their expertise can also serve us well in other markets for quality service and growth.”

In the Middle East, distribution will reportedly quicken courtesy of the B&S temperature-controlled warehouse in the UAE, while Ricola will also benefit from relevant documents, reports and business development updates through the digital supplier portal.

Ricola will continue to handle its airport retail business directly across all markets.

B&S carries Ricola’s best-selling items in travel retail: its assorted original herb tins (250g); sugar-free tins (75g) available in Original Herb, Lemon Mint, Cranberry and Alpine Fresh; sugar-free tins multipack (3x75g) and (4x40g); and sugar-free drops (40g).

“We are confident that B&S will help us to increase our travel retail distribution both in Scandinavia and across the Atlantic and even beyond,” added Reckart. “We look forward to a long and mutually successful partnership.”