Swiss-based travel retailer, Avolta, is committed to delivering exceptional experiences to travellers worldwide. With over 5,100 locations across 73 countries, Avolta operates duty-paid shops, restaurants, and convenience stores in airports, cruise lines, seaports, railway stations, and popular tourist areas.

Founded in 1865 as Weitnauer, Avolta’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dufry, Hudson, Autogrill, and HMSHost.

In 2024, Avolta partnered with THG Studios to develop a series of artificial intelligence (AI)-influenced visual assets for use across its online channels. This collaboration supports their commitment to outstanding brand and product imagery that drives their mission forward.

The Challenges

As a travel retailer with a premium brand portfolio, Avolta wanted to improve its visual storytelling with fresh campaign imagery that aligned more with luxury.

For the THG Studios team, this meant that the imagery created for Avolta's campaigns needed to be less busy and cluttered in favour of a clean, understated aesthetic that connected with the Swiss retailer's brands and customers.

The Solution

Creating AI-generated backgrounds and settings, THG Studios focused on blending architectural style with natural elements to achieve a serene and luxurious aesthetic.  

This involved carefully selecting AI background elements to complement the products, using sophisticated interiors with curved furnishings alongside tranquil outdoor scenes to create a premium atmosphere.  

To highlight these features , the team focused on clean lines, soft shadows and neutral tones throughout the created scenes. This approach produced a visual harmony between the content and composition, showcasing the products in a visually appealing setting.

The Results

The outcome of this detailed approach was a remarkable collection of visual assets featuring AI-generated backgrounds and models with product imagery that captures the lifestyle element of Avolta. 

Luxury items are placed in clean, minimalist settingsDesigner sunglasses, perfumes and other beauty products are positioned against textured surfaces like stone and sand to evoke a sense of refined simplicity.  

Each  composition is elevated by a subtle interplay of light and shadow, adding depth and character to both the products and their surroundings. 

Organic materials such as sand and stone work  particularly well for this technique, enhancing the tranquil and sophisticated ambience throughout the creative AI visuals

Testimonial

"THG Studios has been Avolta's creative powerhouse for the past year, delivering awe-inspiring imagery and videos that redefine excellence.

Their ability to grasp and elevate our brand identity is unparalleled. THG Studios' work not only meets but exceeds expectations, consistently setting Avolta apart in a visually competitive landscape. Their forward-thinking approach incorporates cutting-edge trends, keeping our brand on the forefront.

The collaboration has been seamless, with THG Studios displaying professionalism and a positive attitude that makes them a joy to work with. In summary, THG Studios deserves a five-star rating for their unwavering commitment to visual brilliance, making them an invaluable partner in Avolta's success. Highly recommended for top-tier visual content creation!"

Erin Fox, Global Digital Content Lead, Avolta