April 2021 – Star Brands Travel Retail, part of the Bluebell Group, announced today the launch of its operations in China’s travel retail market, to unlock the potential of global brands entering Asia’s newest travel retail hot spot, the island of Hainan.
Star Brands Asia, China’s beauty expert partner for global brands, and Bluebell Group, Asia’s leading brand operator and leader in travel retail, will work closely together to offer a range of brand operation and management services for global brands already present or looking to enter the Hainan travel retail market. Star Brands Asia is already Bluebell Group’s China strategic partner for the beauty sector since 2018.
Star Brands Travel Retail will facilitate on the ground operations and navigation of the new travel retail opportunity Hainan represents for brands in China’s local duty-free tourism market by leveraging Bluebell Group’s leadership in travel retail and long history of partnership with global brands, and Star Brands Asia’s existing brand portfolio, local China experience, team and beauty expertise.
Star Brands Travel Retail will offer services including but not limited to, entry into the major duty-free operators on the island, control and management of image, business and promotional activity planning, retail management and staff training, and digital amplification in China’s increasingly important ecosystem, as well as retail store, counter or pop up design and production, by local strategic partner, Sina Retail & Image.
Rob Robertson, CEO of Star Brands Travel Retail, expressed his delight in entering the Chinese travel retail market: “The opportunity for brands in Hainan is immense, but it is a unique ecosystem that requires excellence on the ground and in coordination with local duty-free operators. We have a team on the ground, and could not be more pleased to provide the catalyst brands need to explode, and sustain, the growth!”
About Star Brands Travel Retail
Established in 2021, Star Brands Travel Retail provides brand image and commercial retail management services for the travel retail operations of global brands in China. Services include market entry and negotiation, installation and maintenance of image, account management and planning, retail staff management and training, and digital amplification.
A partnership between leading Asian brand and travel retail operator, Bluebell Group, and Star Brands Asia, China’s beauty expert partner for global brands, Star Brands Travel Retail currently has a team of 8 people based in Hainan and is onboarding its first wave of brand partners.
PRESS CONTACTS
Bluebell Group
Anne Geronimi
ageronimi@bluebellgroup.com
Photo- Rob Robertson, CEO, Star Brands Asia & Star Brands Travel Retail
Photo- Star Brands Travel Retail team market visit
Photo- Opening of Star Brands Travel Retail office in Sanya
