Bernasconi's rallying call to travel retailers

Gavin Lipsith

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The Nuance Group Europe CEO challenges the trade to find a better working model on the first day of the Global Travel Retail Summit

The Nuance Group Europe CEO Carlo Bernasconi delivered a forthright wake-up call to delegates attending the first day of the Global Travel Retail Summit in London. In front of around 150 top industry representatives, Bernasconi argued that the standard of retailing in the industry was unacceptable, and that a drastic improvement was needed if the goal of $50bn annual sales is to be achieved.
 
Bernasconi stated his belief that another model of partnership between airports and retailers was needed if the industry is to reach its potential. “Do you think the tender model is working,” he challenged delegates. “I don't believe it, not anymore.” He added that unless retailers are able to invest in their stores on a long-term basis, they cannot hope to compete with high street retailers. “In my experience, the standards of travel retailing are generally poor,” he said.
 
Bernasconi argued that operators must adapt to “the age of cheap” and consider moving away from their traditional ranges to include mass market products and packaged foods. He said that retailers must start trend scouting to adapt to changing passenger demographics.