Nestlé International Travel Retail, in partnership with Avolta and São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, has announced the opening of two renovated immersive spaces dedicated to KitKat and Nestlé brands. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on November 7, marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the travel retail confectionery experience for global travelers, the company says.

“This is not just renovated permanent visibility; it’s a symbol of a shared vision, put in place just days before the F1 Grand Prix here in Sao Paulo,” says Frédéric Porchet, general manager, Nestlé International Travel Retail. “Together, Nestlé and Avolta are on a mission to transform travel retail. We aim to accelerate category growth by engaging travelers like never before. We believe in delivering immersive experiences that delight a new generation of passengers, championing health and sustainability for conscious consumers, and making duty-free the go-to destination for affordable gifting and great experiences. This ambitious vision is only possible because of partnerships built on shared goals and mutual trust.” 

 As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and global engagement, KitKat recently announced a landmark partnership with Formula 1, making KitKat the Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1. This three-year collaboration, launched this month, is Nestlé’s largest global brand partnership to date and is set to play a key role in the company’s travel retail strategy. With Formula 1’s fanbase of over 827 million worldwide—especially among younger, diverse audiences—this partnership enables KitKat to bring its “Have a Break, Have a KitKat” message to more people. The partnership is aiming to drive shopper and consumer activations and exclusive promotions in travel retail, leveraging the excitement of the F1 calendar and the unique energy of global motorsport events, Nestlé says.

The new KitKat and Nestlé spaces are designed to Attract, Convert, and help the whole category Thrive, following Nestlé’s new and innovative A.C.T. category framework (Attract, Convert, Thrive). “We all recognize the challenge in our industry: only a small fraction of travelers even set foot in the confectionery area today, and of those who do, only about half end up making a purchase. But imagine the potential if we can change that. Just by attracting a few more of those passengers into the stores and inspiring a few more of them to buy, we can unlock tremendous growth. And that is exactly what we intend to do,” adds Porchet. 

The renovated spaces in store feature bold, engaging elements that invite travelers in, delighting them with the world of KitKat and Nestlé, and setting the stage for sustained growth. “Today, this beautiful new space is the first stage of A.C.T. in action—the very first step of our plan to address those footfall and conversion challenges. It embodies everything we stand for: a bold, engaging space that invites travelers in, delights them with the world of KitKat and Nestlé, and sets the stage for sustained growth,” says Porchet. “On behalf of the whole NITR Team, I would like to warmly thank Avolta, our long standing partner, for their trust in us and for giving us the opportunity to create something different, something exceptional.”

The opening aligns with Avolta’s Destination 2027 strategy, putting the traveler at the center and creating happier journeys through immersive retail experiences. 

Commenting on the renovated space, Gustavo Fagundes, CEO Avolta Brazil, says, "It is very rewarding to take part in such a consumer experience project with KitKat! It reinforces our obsession with consumer centricity, and we are confident that this activation will be a success."

“We have the strategy, the innovations, the in-store execution, and most importantly the determination to make it happen. Together, we are turning a shared vision into reality. This is just the beginning—the first act of A.C.T.—and I have no doubt the best is yet to come,” concludes Porchet.

Nestlé SA is on the current Candy Industry “Global Top 100 Candy Companies” list. Click here to view the current “Global Top 100” rankings.