Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific underlines major opportunity in wines; seeks to expand luxury retail approach

Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific says there is a major opportunity to make a statement about its wine offer in travel retail

ASIA PACIFIC. Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific has underlined the major opportunity it sees in wines & Champagnes in the region’s travel retail market.

Regional Manager Travel Retail Asia Pacific Scott Hamilton told The Moodie Report: “We believe there is a real opportunity to grow this category, and for Moët Hennessy to play a much greater role. We have been under-represented before, but now we have some solid allocations of stock that will help us push forward. We’ll be selective and focus on the key regional airports, but we think we can own this sector, particularly when it comes to New World wines, in travel retail.”

Moët Hennessy plans to focus heavily on a number of key references, among them Cloudy Bay, Domaine Chandon, Newton and Terrazas de los Andes.

The luxury retail Espace concept, launched at Hong Kong International Airport (above), will be expanded to more locations

Beyond the growth of wines, the company is also looking to develop its luxury retail concept Espace in partnership with liquor & wine concessionaires at key regional airports. Moët Hennessy launched the concept at Hong Kong International Airport in association with Sky Connection earlier this year. It brings together all the luxury brands of the Moët Hennessy wines & spirits portfolio in a shop-in-shop concept. It has also opened a similar concept at Incheon International Airport in Korea.

“We plan to roll out the Espace concept where the opportunity arises,” said Hamilton. “We have taken a similar approach to the category with DFS at Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal 3, which is an exciting venture. That region can offer a great opportunity for luxury retailing of wines & spirits.”

Moët Hennessy also hailed the recent launch of its new Cognac blend, Hennessy Privé, which was introduced via DFS at Singapore Changi Airport in March. Privé was created by Master Blender Yann Fillioux as a tribute to James Hennessy, former head of the family firm.

The brand owner's luxury approach extends to key regional airports such as Incheon (left) and Singapore Changi (right)

“We introduced Privé first at Singapore and then at Hong Kong, and now it has 100% distribution through the key airports in the region,” noted Hamilton. “It’s a luxury product of course, but it has produced good sales since its launch, and is a great emblem for the brand.”

Among the new products to be launched by the group this year will be Belvedere Black Raspberry, a line extension of the luxury vodka brand. This will target Chinese travellers during the next Chinese New Year celebrations, a key trading period for Moët Hennessy.