NPD
Chupa cupcake and Mentos gift pack round out Perfetti van Melle's new duty-free products
Central America was the top performer in 2018, followed by Canadian airport and border stores, the Amsterdam-based company said. The Caribbean, where Perfetti eyes growth especially in the Dominican Republic, emerged from the previous year’s ‘devastating’ hurricane season.
Despite a strong start in South America, business slowed in the second half of the year in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay due to economic and political turmoil.
The confectioner also boarded the cruise ship channel in full force last year, said Femke van Veen, brand manager for global travel retail. Through distributor Calling All Ships, cruise line partners include Princess Cruise Lines, Starboard Cruise Services and Harding Brothers.
“We have learned a lot, gained distribution and now have a solid base for future growth,” he said in a statement, noting spring break promotions as a viable route.
Food @ Duty-Free
Confectionery and fine food accounted for 7.5% of duty-free sales globally in 2016, according to the Duty Free World Council, with the highest sales originating in Europe and Asia Pacific.
Fruity flavors for spring break
Intended to evoke a tropical fruit drink, the Mentos ‘Mix on the Beach’ Jumboroll features eight rolls of three combination-flavored gums – peach/orange, strawberry/banana and passionfruit/mango.
Available exclusively at travel retail, the Mentos Gum Giftpack includes a pack each of Fresh Mint, Lemonade, Bubble Fresh, Fresh Mint and Spearmint. This product, along with Smurf and Hello Kitty Chupa Chups Markers for kids, are new to the US market, launching first in Orlando, Florida – home to Disneyworld.
Chupa Chups also will find a new home in brightly colored plastic baking cups: in addition to 10 mini lollipops, the package includes 10 cupcake papers for home-baking.
Focusing on teens and young adults traveling during around spring break, Perfetti will also launch a limited-edition giant chup comprised of 15 fruit-flavors. The company typically offers one limited edition mega-chup per year, Femke told ConfectioneryNews, available only at travel retail. The geometric design of this version draws inspiration from the Memphis Group, a postmodern Italian design and architecture firm.
Finally, indecisive shoppers can try the Mix of Mini’s Silo, which includes Fruit-tella, Dummies, mini Chupa Chups and mini Mentos, a well-priced pack for border store purchases, the company said.
"We promote portion snacking for kids and the mini Chupa Chups fits perfectly. We see good results in the sales performance year after year," said Van Veen.
“There is still a lot of untouched potential in the USA and we trust that together with our business partner, Otis McAllister, we can grow towards a fair share,” he added, pointing out the brand’s suitcase display in several Duty Free Americas locations.
