The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has urged C&T manufacturers to consider more seriously the current retail challenges affecting liquids and gels sold in travel retail.
At a press conference in London yesterday, ETRC chairman, Frank O’Connell spoke of the ongoing problems faced by the travel retail community due to the current ban on liquids and gels (LAGS) over 100ml at airport security, arguing the passenger was ultimately loosing out on a unique retail experience.
He outlined the problems faced by airline passengers transferring within the EU with duty free LAGS in their hand luggage and called on C&T manufacturers to re-examine the packaging of beauty products, particularly some skin care items which are packaged in containers larger than 100ml.
“We don’t want these products to be taken off the shelves or for transfer passengers to have to forfeit their purchases,” he said. “Perfume and cosmetics are very important to travel retail but brands need to talk to the retailers to enable passengers to travel freely with their duty free purchases. It’s a big undertaking but the ban on LAGS is unlikely to be resolved for the next few years.”
The ETRC is currently promoting a global sealed bag identification system, which will allow third party transfer passengers into Europe with duty free liquids and gels to keep their purchases in their hand luggage.
“So far only four countries have formally applied and we urge more to come forward,” said O’Connell.