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# Airports as Shopping Destinations

By Greg Ponesse | Published 2007-04-12 | Business
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/best-airports-for-shopping
References: [msnbc.msn](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17985391/)

In the past, one was most likely to find duty free shops and magazine stores at airports. However, due to longer lay-overs, delays and larger airports, [luxury retail stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popups-at-airport-hubs) are the norm selling [high-end watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heinemann-oceania), designer purses and custom-made suits.

**Implications** - One of the airports that give a great example of this is the Heathrow Airport in London, England. The new terminal is set to open up in March 2008 and is expected to be a shopping extravaganza for those people waiting to catch their plane. The airport has partnered with high-end department store [Harrods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burberry-and-harrods), which will feature a luxurious two-floor shopping destination. Some people may be more excited about their terminal than their flight destination!

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.5/10
- Popularity: 49% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Luxury Retail in Airports:** Expanding luxury retail options in airports provide disruptive innovation opportunities for high-end brands to tap into the captive audience of travelers.
- **Partnerships Between Airports and Retailers:** Forming partnerships between airports and high-end retailers allows for the creation of unique shopping experiences, enhancing airport terminals' appeal as destinations in themselves.
- **Airport Shopping Experiences:** Creating immersive and enjoyable shopping experiences in airports presents disruptive innovation opportunities to reinvent the perception of airports as mere transit hubs.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Luxury Retail:** The luxury retail industry can leverage the expansion of retail in airports to reach affluent travelers and generate additional revenue streams.
- **Travel and Tourism:** The travel and tourism industry can benefit from enhanced airport shopping experiences as it provides an additional attraction for travelers, contributing to the overall tourism experience.
- **Airport Infrastructure:** The airport infrastructure industry can explore opportunities to design and develop airport terminals with a focus on creating immersive and engaging retail environments.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Airport Terminal Activewear Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lululemon-heathrow-terminal-5.md)
- [Luxury Designer Airport Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-vuitton-cafe.md)
- [Experiential Beauty Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heathrow-airport.md)
- [Vintage Duty Free Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preloved-boutique-at-lisbon-airport.md)
- [In-Airport Toy Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toys-r-us-airport.md)
- [Duty-Free Tea Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fortnum-and-mason-dubai.md)
- [Experiential Airline Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emirates-world-travel-store.md)
- [Luxury Departure Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atu-duty-free.md)
- [Parisian Airport Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moet-hennessys-paris-concept.md)