The new stores were opened by NITR, Avolta and São Paulo Airport (full caption below).

Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR), in partnership with Avolta and São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, has opened two newly renovated immersive spaces for KitKat and Nestlé, marking what the company describes as a significant step forward in its confectionery strategy in global travel retail.

The ribbon-cutting took place on 7 November, just ahead of the São Paulo F1 Grand Prix, adding extra visibility for the launch. Frédéric Porchet, General Manager of NITR, said the new spaces represent more than permanent visibility upgrades, calling them “a symbol of a shared vision” between Nestlé and Avolta to transform the travel retail confectionery experience.

Porchet noted that the partnership aims to accelerate category growth by boosting engagement, presenting immersive retail moments and speaking to the needs of conscious consumers through health, sustainability and accessible gifting. He said the ambition is possible only through “partnerships built on shared goals and mutual trust”.

KitKat’s recently-announced global partnership with Formula 1, which became active in November and positions KitKat as the Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1, is set to play a central role in this strategy. With a global fanbase of more than 827 million, particularly among younger demographics, the tie-up will drive travel retail activations, exclusive promotions and event-led engagement aligned with the F1 calendar.

The redesigned KitKat and Nestlé spaces at São Paulo follow NITR’s A.C.T. category framework (Attract, Convert, Thrive), which aims to address long-standing challenges around footfall and conversion in the confectionery zone. Porchet said that only a small proportion of travellers currently enter the category, and roughly half of them convert. “Imagine the potential if we can change that,” he said, adding that the new launch represents the first stage of A.C.T. in action.

KitKat’s activation was inspired by its recently-announced global partnership with Formula 1

The spaces feature bold visual cues and interactive elements designed to draw travellers in and encourage discovery across both brands. Porchet thanked Avolta for its close collaboration, describing the new execution as “something exceptional”.

The opening aligns with Avolta’s Destination 2027 strategy, which prioritises traveller-centric retail experiences. Gustavo Fagundes, CEO of Avolta Brazil, said the project reinforces the operator’s focus on consumer centricity, expressing confidence in the activation’s performance.

NITR said the new São Paulo execution marks the beginning of a wider rollout intended to elevate the confectionery category through immersive brand worlds, enhanced visibility and stronger conversion-driving touchpoints across its key travel retail locations.

Main image caption – Top row left to right: Celso Porto, São Paulo International Airport (GRU) Arrivals Store Manager T3; José Rego, Avolta Brazil Operations Director; Gabriel Prata, Avolta Brazil Digital Marketing Manager; Fernanda Oliveira, Avolta Brazil Marketing Manager; Maria Isabel Jordão, Avolta Brazil Commercial General Manager; Gustavo Fagundes, CEO Avolta Brazil; Frédéric Porchet, General Manager Nestlé International Travel Retail; Jorge Hadweh, Head of Sales Nestlé International Travel Retail; Neli Gandra, Avolta Brazil Comercial Director; Carlos Monteiro,  Avolta Brazil Confectionery Procurement Manager. Bottom row left to right: Eduardo Mauricio, São Paulo International Airport (GRU) General Manager; Marcelo Teixeira, São Paulo International Airport (GRU) Confectionary Manager; Vanessa Pavan, Key Account Executive Nestlé International Travel Retail; Bianca Morais, Brand Ambassador GRU Nestlé International Travel Retail.

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