2023 was an exceptional year, fuelled by a strong upsurge in air traffic, notable commercial success and the continued expansion of Lagardère Travel Retail’s operations, which is cementing its leadership.
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
In France, Lagardère Travel Retail was able to secure key contracts in Travel Essentials, including the renewal of joint ventures with the ADP group (60 stores in Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports) and with SNCF, as well as the partnership with Marseille airport in Duty Free and Travel Essentials.
Business in Europe was also buoyed by robust growth in the Dining segment, with several points of sale opened at Rome-Fiumicino (Italy), Luton (United Kingdom) and Vienna (Austria) airports, as well as at a train station in the Netherlands. Other notable successes include the award of two tenders in Bulgaria (Varna and Burgas airports) and the planned opening of four new stores at Dublin airport (Ireland) in the first quarter of 2024. The division became the exclusive Costa Coffee franchisee in Poland and Latvia following the acquisition of 142 Costa Coffee stores.
The Travel Essentials business also deepened its footprint in the EMEA region with the inauguration of the first Relay store in an Austrian train station, a Discover store at Luton airport and new Duty Free stores in airports in north-west Spain. Lagardère Travel Retail also expanded its presence in Africa, opening a Kepar Kitchen point of sale at Dakar station in Senegal and Travel Essentials stores in Thiès. A tender was also won for a master concession at Cotonou airport (Benin).
Lastly, in the Middle East, Duty Free and Dining activities got off the mark with the opening of 18 stores in Abu Dhabi’s new airport terminal. A Dining tender was won at Riyadh airport (Saudi Arabia), with eight points of sale planned for the second quarter of 2024.
ASIA-PACIFIC AND AMERICAS
Expansion in Asia-Pacific also continued with new Fashion and Relay stores opened in China, and the inauguration of the first autonomous Travelwell store at Hong Kong airport. A major supply and operational support agreement was signed for the Duty Free concession in Kansai airport’s terminal 1 (Japan).
North America: the division won numerous tenders awarded and
contracts extended at airports (Washington-Dulles, Salt Lake City, John Wayne-Orange County, Oakland, San Diego, Phoenix, Sarasota, New York-Kennedy, El Paso, Madison, Edmonton,
Greensboro, Louisville, etc.). The Dining business was strengthened following the acquisition of Tastes on the Fly, a highly regarded North American operator who will bring its recognised
expertise in operating 25 restaurant concepts.
Finally, operations in South America continued to grow thanks to the award of two tenders in Peru in the Travel Essentials and Dining segments. The Dining business in Chile was extended to Punta Arenas, Iquique and Santiago airports.
2023 Key dates
- January: opening of the Fantastico Peru Duty Free concept at Lima airport (Peru).
Inauguration of the first automated store at Brussels airport (Belgium). - February: acquisition of 142 Costa Coffee stores in Poland and Latvia.
Signature of an exclusive partnership with the EL&N coffee brand for its development in Travel Retail. - April: first autonomous store launched at Hong Kong airport.
Signature of an exclusive partnership with Time Out Market (a food court brand) to support their development at airports. - May: renewal of the Duty Free and Travel Essentials contracts at Marseille airport (France).
- June: opening of the first Pangaia Travel Retail Fashion boutique at Dubai airport (United Arab Emirates).
- July: opening of “The Gallery in Barcelona” hybrid concept at Barcelona airport (Spain).
Extension of the partnership with Inflyter to digitalise the Duty Free shopping experience. - September: introduction of the Discover brand in Cambodia.
Roll-out of the new sustainable checkout bag strategy in stores. - October: Lagardère Travel Retail’s teams are awarded three FAB Awards, one Moodie Award, a DFNI-Frontier Award and a Travel Retail Award.
A master concession agreement is won at Cotonou airport (Benin). - November: acquisition of the US Dining company Tastes on the Fly. Opening of 18 Duty Free and Dining stores in Abu Dhabi’s new airport terminal (United Arab Emirates).
Award of a Dining tender at Hamburg airport (Germany). - December: signature of a supply and operational support agreement for the Duty Free concession in Kansai airport’s terminal 1 (Japan).
Award of a Dining tender at Varna and Burgas airports (Bulgaria).