Experienced travel retail executive John Woodhouse has partnered with Schaefer Travel Retail to launch new company Schaefer Airport Retail, TRBusiness can reveal.

Woodhouse, who was appointed DFS Group Vice President Airport Strategy last May, is taking ‘a shareholding’ in Schaefer Airport Retail and has been appointed Managing Director.

It is understood that he will re-locate to Germany, having spent the last 10 years living in China and Hong Kong.

According to Woodhouse, who began his career at Aer Rianta International (ARI) and has since worked for WHSmith, Schaefer Airport Retail will focus on the supply and category management of technology items and travel accessories to airport retailers.

COMPLETE RANGE

Woodhouse told TRBusiness: “We have built a complete range of sound, power and lifestyle products that sit perfectly in an airport store.

“This is made up of established brands and newcomers, a variety that will be added to as supplier negotiations continue.”

TRBusiness has been informed the initial range includes products from the likes of JBL, Sennheiser, Bang & Olufsen, Cabeau and Innergie.

Woodhouse added: “By using established back office and logistics, we are keeping our costs low so we can deliver superior purchase costs to the retailer.

“Our focus will be on higher margin, extended shelf-life products. Alongside a great range, we have appointed a design firm to create a retail brand and develop a modern, cost-effective store design.

“Being travel retail designers, they understand the need for flexibility and are working on concepts – from a 4m shop-in-shop backwall up to a complete 100sqm store.”

Woodhouse will be present at this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference, which begins tonight (6 May) with the traditional opening cocktail.

More to follow…