Gourmets & Co will highlight a taste of three premium chocolate brands – Valrhona, Villars and Weiss – as it returns to TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference next week following its debut at the event last year (F28, Basement 2).
A concept created specifically for travel retail with a commitment to gourmet experiences and sustainable practices, Gourmets & Co said it has firm focus on expanding its presence across the Asia Pacific region.
French chocolatier Valrhona’s travel retail gifting credentials will feature at Gourmet & Co’s newly designed booth. It will showcase a bespoke Valrhona Gift Atelier, giving visitors the chance to personalise a range of products such as the 15 Chocolate bonbons gift box, 50 squares Dark gift box and 230g Almonds & Hazelnuts coated in Dark chocolate gift box.
Customisation options include personalised greeting cards and ribbons, gift boxes, and furoshiki (a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to elegantly wrap gifts). The Gift Atelier is described by Gourmets & Co as “a creative and interactive space that offers an engaging experience demonstrating how to add a special touch to any gifting occasion”.
Valrhona will also be presenting a Tasting Journey activation. The Find your Chocolate digital installation, created for engagement with shoppers via interactive kiosks or mobile devices, will walk buyers through the brand’s range of products.
Participants are asked their flavour and texture preferences and any specific notes or ingredients they enjoy. Based on the responses, the digital feature uses algorithms to narrow down the vast selection of Valrhona chocolates to create tailored recommendations. Visitors can then indulge in a tasting session where they sample their recommended chocolate.
Another feature at the booth from Valrhona is a barista counter. Trained baristas will be on hand to guide delegates through a selection of iconic chocolate fèves (Valrhona’s chocolate drops from which the company makes its gourmet beverages) to create drinks including mochaccinos and cappuccinos.
Swiss chocolate brand Villars will preview exclusive packaging designs for its gifting range, tailored for the diverse markets of Asia Pacific. Product sleeves feature iconic cityscapes from Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, alongside special editions to commemorate festivals such as Diwali, Eid and Lunar New Year.
Through this initiative, Gourmets & Co said Villars “aims to deepen its connection with consumers and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the Asia Pacific region”.
Valrhona Global Retail and Travel Retail Director Zeyneb Larabi said: “Adapting to the Asian market and its dynamic landscape has been a cornerstone of our development journey. Asia, being a diverse and rapidly evolving region, demands a nuanced approach that constantly evolves to meet consumer preferences and market trends.
“One significant step we’ve taken is establishing a dedicated team leader – Dea Dhrami, based in Singapore. This decision was driven by the need to be closer to our clients and operators, allowing us to better understand their needs, preferences and challenges first-hand. By having a local team on the ground, we’ve been able to forge stronger relationships with key stakeholders, respond more swiftly to market dynamics and provide tailored support to our partners across the region.
“Our approach to navigating the Asian market with Valrhona and Villars has been rooted in a deep appreciation for diversity, a willingness to adapt quickly to change and a commitment to collaborative innovation. These principles have allowed us to not only survive but thrive in one of the most dynamic regions in the world.” ✈
