Taking flight is easier after retail therapy

Taking flight is easier after retail therapy

Cut price: airport stores are cheaper than their high-street counterparts

Shopping at any of the international airports in the UK was once a rather boring experience. But the days of being able to pick up just cigarettes and suncream have long gone – travel retailing, duty-free and duty-paid, is now worth around £1.53 billion in the UK market alone.

The airport may be the last place you’d think of buying designer goods, but big names such as Gucci, Chanel and Burberry are now on offer at many of the UK’s international hubs. These sit alongside, big-name stores including French Connection, Accessorize and Dixons. Goods at most are at least 17.5% cheaper than they would be in the high street.

At Heathrow’s Terminal 1, passengers have over 30 stores to choose from including Austin Reed, The Body Shop, Hugo Boss, Bally and Harrods. At Terminals 3 and 4, passengers can shop at over 50 designer stores, including Gucci, Ferragamo, Liberty, Mulberry, Bulgari and Chanel.

In Ireland, the three main airports, Dublin, Shannon and Cork have just adopted the slogan Travel Value, which is being used in many European airports to help spread the value message to passengers. Savings of up to 25% on perfume, cosmetics, jewellery and gifts back it up.

Travel retail has moved on considerably since its inception in the 1940s at Shannon Airport – so much so that if the idea of shopping is too much, a personal shopper will take care of it (see box). And for those who would prefer not to carry their purchases, they can pick them up on their return at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stan-sted. Passengers who forget to pick up a present for a friend can also choose from a selection at BAA’s arrivals stores.