Perfetti Van Melle returns to Orlando this year for the 2019 Duty Free & Travel Retail Summit of the Americas with a new assortment of products perfectly suited to the region (booth 901).
Brand new to PVM’s portfolio is the Lollipop Memphis Design MegaChup, a limited edition giant chup consisting of 15 fruit flavoured lollipops. The Memphis Group was an Italian design and architecture group founded by Ettore Sottsass in 1980 that designed postmodern furniture, fabrics, ceramics, glass, and metal objects. The Memphis style is mainly identified by the colourful, bright, saturated colour choices and geometric style. Influenced by the Memphis Group, this Chupa Chups Mega Chups is especially designed to be a perfect gift item for teens and young adults and will be available in Q2 of this year.
Also new to the US market are the Chupa Chups Markers in Smurf and Hello Kitty styles. Designed specifically for kids, the Markers have been very successful in travel retail in other regions and are now launched to buyers in Orlando. Another highlight is the travel retail exclusive Mentos Gum Giftpack, available in Fresh Mint, Lemonade, Bubble Fresh, Fresh Mint and Spearmint flavours.
In addition, PVM will be displaying products which should be already be familiar to buyers and are considered must-stock items.
Mentos Mix on the Beach Jumboroll, consisting of eight single rolls in peach/orange, strawberry/banana, and passionfruit/mango flavours – a mix of fruity drink flavours created to capture the spirit of a relaxing holiday.
Chupa Chups Cupcake, a sweet plastic baking cup holder with 24 cupcake baking cups and 10 mini Chupa Chups lollipops on top, packaged in a small box.
Mix of Mini’s Silo that includes Fruit-tella, Dummies, mini Chupa Chups and mini Mentos – perfectly suited to border stores thanks to its size and price-point.
PVM is pleased to report that it has had a strong year in the Americas, with Central America being the best performing area in the region. It was also a satisfying year in Canada for both the Airport Channel and Border stores. Business in South America grew significantly from January to April 2018, but the economical situation in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay saw a steep decline in sales. Border stores, airports and even ferry stores took a big blow and until now there has not been any signs of recovery. PVM has also made a good recovery in the Caribbean following the devastating hurricanes in 2017, but still sees room for growth and is placing special focus on the Dominican Republic.
2018 was the first full year in which PVM has been active in the USA cruise channel. “We have learned a lot, gained distribution and now have a solid base for future growth. This year, we have suggested promotions to our customers, for example we could have a large GWP promotion for Spring Break on-board several ships,” says Van Veen.
In the United States, PVM is focussing mainly on its core assortment. “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. We are making steps in the right direction by having our new suitcase display in many Duty Free Americas locations.”
