Lagardère Travel Retail wins tender to operate retail and dining at Belfast International Airport

Lagardère Travel Retail is delighted to announce the signing of a contract with Belfast International Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, to operate retail and new Food & Beverage spaces following a competitive tender. This new contract at Northern Ireland’s largest airport marks a significant milestone, reflecting the long-term global partnership between Lagardère Travel Retail and VINCI Airports, as well as Lagardère Travel Retail’s commitment to enhancing the traveller experience while maximizing value for its partner.

At double the size and spanning over 1,600 square meters, the new retail and F&B offering at Belfast International Airport will combine Duty Free, Food & Beverage and Travel Essentials all under one roof. For the first time, passengers will have access to iconic global brands such as Rituals and MINISO, enriching the airport’s retail landscape with high-quality, exciting options.

The offering also celebrates Northern Ireland’s local heritage with the introduction of our latest Whiskey Apothecary concept, featuring beloved local brands such as McConnell’s, Bushmills, and Boatyard Distillery. This authenticity is further enhanced through a partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, including initiatives like the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail, highlighting the region’s rich distilling heritage. Passengers will also be invited to explore an international tasting bar, sampling local and global products to discover and take home their favourite finds.

Interactive “Hotspots” will add an immersive dimension, showcasing curated selections of clean beauty, local fashion, and F&B options to engage travellers and create memorable experiences.

A standout space is the walkthrough Transition Zone, designed in collaboration with Belfast International Airport, to encourage passengers to spend more time in the primary Duty Free shopping area. This innovative space will include a dedicated MINISO corner – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland – alongside Lagardère Travel Retail’s unique Discover Belfast and Tech2Go concepts, complemented by Fashion and Travel Essentials shop-in-shops.

This ambitious project is part of Belfast International Airport’s major redevelopment program to enhance the passenger experience and it also reinforces the strong and longstanding collaboration between Lagardère Travel Retail and VINCI Airports.

Commenting on the new, extended contract, Peter Newbould, Chief Executive Officer of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, said: “We are proud to partner with the Belfast International Airport team to bring a rich variety of global and local brands to travellers at Belfast for the first time. Our vision is to create an exceptional and dynamic experience that goes beyond the traditional airport journey, combining innovative concepts with a strong sense of place. This project underscores our commitment to delivering memorable and engaging moments for travellers, while also showcasing the rich culture of Northern Ireland.”

Daniel Owens, CEO Belfast International Airport commented: “We are thrilled to partner with Lagardère Travel Retail to deliver a truly unique and elevated passenger experience. This collaboration has been a testament to the power of teamwork and shared vision. We’re confident that this partnership will redefine the travel experience at Belfast International Airport.

As we announce this investment, we are very aware that Northern Ireland travellers cannot currently avail of the full Duty Free tax exemption when travelling to other UK and EU Airports, as airports across rest of the UK and Ireland can. This is an issue we will be talking about a lot more in the coming weeks and months as we and others will be seeking to ensure equality for NI passengers.”

This new contract brings the total number of stores Lagardère Travel Retail operated in the UK and Ireland to 26 across Duty Free, Travel Essentials and Food & Beverage. The new store is expected to open in April 2025.

About Lagardère Travel Retail
One of the two priority divisions of Lagardère group, Lagardère Travel Retail is a leading global Travel Retailer, with the longest standing expertise of serving the needs of travelers and partners across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Foodservice. Lagardère Travel Retail operates over 5,120 stores in airports, railway stations and other concessions in 42 countries, and has generated €6.6 bn in sales (100%) in 2023.
We harness our pioneering culture to make travel more enjoyable with bespoke offers and experiences. We invest our world-class global expertise and local knowledge to design value-creating partnerships and experiences for our stakeholders: landlords, brands, travelers, employees and communities.
We actively champion the more sustainable future of Travel Retail through our comprehensive CSR strategy, covering all aspects of where we, as a business, have an impact and can make a difference.
www.lagardere-tr.com ● @LagardereTR