Edrington launches specialist travel retail unit

Edrington, owners of brands such as The Macallan, Famous Grouse and Snow Leopard, has announced the launch of Edrington European Travel Retail.

Edrington European Travel Retail begins operations on April 1, replacing Maxxium Travel Retail, Edrington’s former joint venture with Beam Suntory.

Edrington has also announced some senior management appointments

Kasper Andersen will lead the business as commercial director, reporting directly to Aristotelis Baroutsis, managing director of Edrington Global Travel Retail and backed by a team of account managers. Andersen, who will continue to be based in Sweden, was formerly area director and Nordic marketing director for Edrington.

Edrington’s Garry Coull has been appointed financial controller, reporting to Andersen.

Steven Sleigh will lead the marketing function as marketing manager, based in Edrington’s offices in Scotland and reporting to Andersen. Sleigh will be supported by a team of trade marketers.

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.

“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 October 1, 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.