Sekonda consults Woodland for travel-retail expansion

Lorna Strickland

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The watch company has employed former Dufry chief procurement officer Liz Woodland as a consultant for its travel-retail expansion plans

UK-based watch supplier Sekonda has employed well-known duty-free figure Liz Woodland to help expand its duty-free business. The company, which has worked with Alpha Airports Group and World Duty Free, is keen to expand outside the UK.

Woodland is well known in the duty-free industry, having previously worked as chief procurement officer at Dufry Group. She is working with the Sekonda team on a long-term consultancy basis and has already secured new listings at Belgrade airport with Dufry and with Ocean Cruises and Star Cruises through Harding Brothers. Aelia also plans to introduce Sekonda in Marseille and Paris after trialling it in the UK.

Woodland told Ravenfox.com: "I’m helping Sekonda to develop a strategy which includes what travel-retail buyers want and how they like to be approached. The ranges are well designed, great value and appeal to a wide age range.”

Woodland said Sekonda has performed well in the UK because it’s a “volume concept”. All products are presented on floor stands designed for travel-retail to encourage impulse purchases. Brand director Trevor James designed the fixture. He said: "We are proud of Sekonda’s success so far in travel-retail which we believe is based on true partnership with our retailers. We are looking forward to further European expansion throughout 2007."