In the fourth edition of the ‘TR Talent Pool Profile’ series, TRBusiness speaks to former Bommidala Enterprises Travel Retail Business Development Manager, Dharmender Parmar. During his time working with multinational computer technology company Dell, a chance meeting with an old school friend led to the start of his journey in the channel, which focused on trying to launch new brands and concepts into the Indian travel retail market.

In July 2020, TRBusiness and Bluedog Productions announced the creation of the ‘TR Talent Pool’ Initiative, helping the travel retail industry grow during unprecedented levels of upheaval for its workforce. We continue to support those who have lost their jobs as a result of the global pandemic with this new series, shining a spotlight on individuals that this industry simply cannot afford to lose.

Can you please tell us how you first entered duty free and travel retail?

My introduction to travel retail wasn’t planned at all. I was working for Dell computer technology company in Guragon, India in 2010 and met up with an old friend I used to study with.

He was talking about the travel retail and duty free channel and how one of his customers, which happened to be Bommidala was looking for someone who could represent the company in Northern India. We ultimately had a discussion and I said yes!

How has your career evolved in the channel?

It’s been a great journey, which started with managing a single brand (Phillip Morris) in Northern India. At the time, this was the only brand in the Bommidala Enterprises portfolio. I was then responsible for shortlisting other brands for the region, opening retail opportunities for Bommidala Enterprises and introducing new brands/products in the region.

My role of Bommidala Enterprises Business Development Manager for the travel retail division included liaising with clients, organisations and customers.

What have been the high-points and low-points of your duty free and travel retail career and why?

One of my main highlights was getting Porsche design into Indian travel retail. I was the person who headed up this project. I opened two Porsche Design lifestyle domestic airport stores. One was at Delhi International Airport and the other at Hyderabad International Airport. Both are still trading today.

Other highlights included introducing travel accessories brand Cabeau into travel retail locations across India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

I was also instrumental in the DF&TR launch of Edrington across India.

On a more personal level, meeting Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso during the Formula 1 Race weekends in Delhi was another highlight. Thankfully, I was able to do this due to Philip Morris’s long association with Formula 1.

My time in DF&TR gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the industry’s major personalities and legends. I was also able to experience different cultures, food and meet people of various ethnicities and backgrounds.

During my time in travel retail, I met some wonderful people, who eventually became colleagues and friends.

What makes the duty free and travel retail industry so special and why?

It’s a very dynamic industry with many talented people who make it fantastic to be part of. Duty free and travel retail is one big family with all elements knitted together one way or another. Everyone is ready to provide help or resources and on top of that the associations do a great job keeping industry stakeholders updated and lobbying on certain issues.

How has Indian duty free and travel retail evolved?

Indian travel retail has made huge striders over the past decade. This is due to multiple factors such as connectivity to remote places thanks to the efforts of the government.

More Public Private Partnership models to develop and operate airports and airport retail have been introduced in India, along with government policies allowing foreign direct investment in travel retail. The latter has led to more international partnerships, such as the one involving Aer Rianta International in Delhi and the introduction of more international brands.

Indian airports are now regularly mentioned and nominated when it comes to international awards and are also winning them.

How would you assess the future of the duty free and travel industry and why?

This is one of the hardest times for any industry as the pandemic has affected everyone. But on the other hand, the travel industry and anything related to travel has been much more impacted. People have been confined to their home and been unable to cross borders via land, air, or sea. We have certainly seen a lot of adaptability, including the introduction of digitalisation.

Brands/organisation have also tried to work on online and offline models to sustain themselves and their businesses. This has definitely created more opportunities and avenues, but I still believe physical and cross-border travel will return, because people will want to travel for vacations, work or family purposes.

There may be more checks when we travel and we may have to take specific precautions, but I definitely believe things will return to normal in terms of travel and shopping.

Hopefully things will improve in the next six to 10 months and we can start seeing better numbers. This won’t be possible, however, unless everyone makes a special effort to follow the safety precautions in place. We must all do this for the sake of ourselves and everyone around us.

The introduction of vaccines has certainly gone a long way to limiting the damage as a result of this deadly pandemic.

What type of role would be most suited to you and why?

I am a people’s person and someone who believes in connecting and exploring opportunities. Customer relationship management and business development roles interest me the most as they suit my personality. I love meeting different people. Connecting with them comes naturally to me. Travel is also something I really enjoy, so with that in mind I would be open to opportunities outside India.

In addition, I thrive on the opportunity to try and launch new products and concepts. This can involve leading from the front or representing somebody.

Dharmender can be contacted at: [email protected]

To read the first edition of the TR Talent Pool series featuring Jonathan Corbett, click here. The second edition of this popular series featured Joanne Willey, who is now working for TRBusiness as a Business Development Consultant with a specific focus on our upcoming Travel Retail Sustainability Week event (19-23 April).

The latest edition of this popular series, featured cruise specialist Zachary Sulkes, who subsequently joined Norwegian Cruise Holdings last month as Beverage Category Manager.

Interested in getting involved with the TR Talent Pool series? Contact: [email protected]; [email protected]