A top-level delegation from Nestlé made up of Executive Vice-President and Zone Director of Europe, Laurent Freixe, Corporate HR for Zone Europe, Alfredo Silva and Head of Operations for Zone Europe, Paul Kiortsis made a market visit to Malta last week.
Top on the agenda was the meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat. Mr Freixe accompanied by Nestle’ Market Head for Italy, Leo Wencel, Market Head for Malta, Naum Janakiev and Corporate Communications Director for Nestlé Italy, Ms Manuela Kron paid a courtesy visit at Auberge de Castille, Valletta. During this visit the delegation exchanged views on the economic scenario in Europe, the impact on youth employment in the European Zone and Malta’s economic performance, with particular focus to the retail sector.
The Nestlé delegation then headed to the Pavi and Smart supermarkets and GS Store in Naxxar as well as Charles Grech Liquor store, to get a first-hand experience of the ambience and Nestlé product placement at these stores.
At Pavi supermarket, accompanied by the supermarket directors, the delegation viewed Nestlé’s distinctive product placement on the shelves including the highly-visible Kitkat branding and the NESCAFE Dolce Gusto set up at the entrance of the supermarket. At Smart supermarket, the Nestlé guests and the supermarket directors were greeted by an impressive and innovative 3D- display with a mannequin having a break before finishing off a KitKat billboard. The delegation also toured the premises and saw there distintive displays of other Nestlé products such as Nestlé Ice Cream, Nestlé Cereals and Maggi and other nutritional products commercialised by the company in Malta. Indeed, during this visit they also discussed market trends and opportunities in the retail sector. The Nestlé delegation also visited the Charles Grech Liquor store in Birkirkara where Nestlé Malta has a NESCAFE Dolce Gusto shop-in-shop (SIS) Bar. The directors explained that this new concept was an instant success with the customers visiting the store
On their second day of the visit, Mr Freixe and his delegation from Switzerland held a business update meeting, during which, the Executive Vice-President and Director of Europe was given an update on Nestlé Malta’s performance.
In the afternoon, Mr Freixe met the staff and took the time to answer their questions during a question and answer session.
Commenting about his intensive visit, Mr. Freixe stated that he was very pleased with the initiative and ideas that he saw in action in Malta and encouraged the team to continue progressing on these lines.