Monday, March 23, 2015

EDRINGTON ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW EUROPEAN TRAVEL RETAIL UNIT

Edrington, the international premium spirits company and owner of whisky brands including The Macallan, Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark, has today announced the launch of Edrington European Travel Retail, a new unit that will focus on the world’s second largest travel retail market.

Edrington European Travel Retail will begin operations on April 1st, replacing Maxxium Travel Retail, Edrington’s former joint venture with Beam Suntory. In October 2014 the two companies announced plans to create independent distribution businesses.

Commercial Director of the new Edrington European Travel Retail unit - Kasper Anderson

Edrington is also pleased to announce details of the senior management team that will spearhead the development of its brands in the European travel retail channel.

Kasper Andersen will lead the business as commercial director, reporting directly to Aristotelis Baroutsis, managing director of Edrington Global Travel Retail. Andersen, who will continue to be based in Sweden, was formerly area director, North & Central Europe, and acting managing director Edrington Nordics.

Commenting on the news, Aristotelis Baroutsis, said: “The travel retail channel is rapidly developing and Edrington European Travel Retail has been designed to get us closer to customers and consumers. I have been delighted to be able to draw on a wealth of marketing, commercial and financial expertise from Edrington and Maxxium Travel Retail. Under Maxxium’s stewardship our brands have achieved excellent results in Europe and as we move forward we will benefit from the strong relationships that have been built with customers across the region.” 

Baroutsis, went on to say: “With travel, tourism and retail spend projected to grow dramatically in the next decade, Edrington has sharpened its focus on the potential that travel retail represents for our premium brands and increased investment in travel retail across the world. We look forward to continued strong growth for our portfolio.” 

Edrington Global Travel Retail was launched in Singapore on 1st October 2014. In addition to the European Travel Retail unit, it comprises Asia Travel Retail, Edrington Webb Travel Retail Americas, launched in January 2015 and the travel retail elements of Edrington FIX Middle East.

Source: Edrington