Travel retail is being redefined. From airports and railway stations to cruise ships, the world’s transport hubs are evolving into destinations in their own right, bringing together retail, dining, luxury, technology and experience to engage an increasingly global consumer. As investment accelerates and expectations rise, RLI explores how the places once designed simply to move people are becoming powerful commercial destinations.
Travel retail has emerged as one of the most dynamic sectors in global commerce, transforming transport hubs into destinations in their own right. No longer confined to duty-free purchases, today’s travel retail environment blends luxury, convenience, technology and experience, offering brands unparalleled access to a captive audience of millions of travellers every day.
Airports remain the sector’s powerhouse, accounting for the largest share of travel retail sales worldwide. The global travel retail market was valued at more than US$72bn in 2025 and is forecast to exceed US$180bn by 2034, fuelled by rising international travel and increasing demand for premium products. Airports dominate this growth thanks to longer passenger dwell times, sophisticated retail concepts and expanding international terminals.
But the opportunity extends far beyond the airport terminal. Railway stations are evolving into vibrant retail destinations, particularly across Europe and Asia, where high-speed rail networks attract millions of commuters and leisure travellers each day. Cruise retail is also enjoying a renaissance, with onboard shopping increasingly focused on luxury brands, exclusive product launches and immersive experiences that encourage higher passenger spending. Together, airports, railway stations and cruise liners are redefining travel retail as a sophisticated, omni-channel marketplace – one where convenience, personalisation and memorable experiences are just as important as the products themselves, creating significant opportunities for retailers, brands and transport operators alike.
Airports Reimagined
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, American Airlines, ASUR Airports and Phoenix Infrastructure Group have celebrated the completion of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 8 transformation with the grand opening of a $125M commercial program that features more than 60 new dining, retail, Duty Free and experiential concepts that have been curated to reflect the culture, tastes and creative spirit of the airport’s home borough and city. With 20 local dining and retail brands operating alongside global favourites, Terminal 8 provides travellers with a world-class passenger experience that is also unique to Queens and to New York City. The centrepiece of the redevelopment is The Boroughs Food Hall by MERA, featuring a mix of beloved New York institutions and emerging local concepts, including Cobblestones, Black Star Bakery & Café, Mito, Naya, Flavortown Kitchen by Guy Fieri, BKLYN BLEND, Bagel Boss and Le Petit Gourmet.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter and Board Member Trent Morse joined President Trump, US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and other administration officials in the White House Oval Office recently to announce a more than $20bn initiative to transform Washington Dulles International Airport into a world-class gateway to the National Capital Region that will proudly serve the travelling public for decades to come. Local residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world can look forward to more than five million square feet of new or renovated space. Plans for the future of Dulles International will preserve the vision and design of famed architect Eero Saarinen and improve customer experience by building new concourses and modernising existing ones that will expand flight capacity and concessions options, whilst providing more spacious, comfortable seating with charging stations, workspaces and other amenities – ultimately eliminating the current C and D concourses. The work will also elevate the international travel experience with a rebuilt, modernised concourse connected to the main terminal that includes comfortable seating, world-class shopping and dining, more lounges and direct, walkable access to new, larger Customs facilities.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) fully completed its massive five-year Terminal 1 renovation project on 2 June 2026. The grand opening for the main terminal functions took place on 27 March last year, followed by the final commercial phase introducing 24 new retail stores and a Japanese food court in June this year. These include luxury brands, shops making their first appearance at a Japanese airport, retail stores offering character goods and popular local specialties and well-known fast-food chains, creating a rich and diverse commercial environment. The central international departure area is now 1.6 times larger than its pre-renovation size and features Japan’s largest walk-through duty-free shop, luxury brands and a food court with four authentic Japanese restaurants.
Perth Airport has unveiled its refreshed T1 International retail and hospitality precinct, marking a major investment in the passenger experience as international travel prepares to welcome over 50,000 travellers on peak days over the upcoming winter school holidays. The completion of a significant T1 International food, beverage and retail refresh has introduced 14 new and revitalised outlets across the terminal, delivering a stronger mix of dining, shopping, local produce, travel essentials and premium experiences for passengers. The new precinct brings together global retail operators and leading local brands, with partners including Avolta, Lagardère AWPL, Delaware North, SSP, WHSmith and Smarte Carte helping deliver a more contemporary international terminal experience.
Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur unveils a full overhaul of its retail offering after a year and a half of works. The some forty shops across the three Nice terminals for scheduled and business aviation, covering 6,300sq m, have been completely transformed. The new retail selection reflects this exceptional region where French craftsmanship and luxury come together. The new retail offering therefore places a strong emphasis on bold and innovative experiences. Passengers can now access concepts previously unseen in France, as well as world-renowned brands in the leather goods, fashion and perfumery sectors that cannot be found at any other French airport except Paris. The new offering also features a carefully balanced mix of premium, luxury and niche positioning, particularly in the perfumery segment, as well as iconic brands and flag-bearers of Mediterranean craftsmanship, showcasing local specialities.
Manchester Airport’s Transformation Programme is a £1.3bn investment, first announced in 2015, it is revolutionising the customer and colleague experience at the airport and providing world-class facilities. In 2021 the Terminal 2 extension, opened, doubling the size of the terminal and providing the latest technology and a bright, modern environment. In 2026, the iconic Terminal 1 chandeliers returned to the airport in Terminal 2, reimagined as exquisite pieces of art. The second phase of the transformation will see the original Terminal 2 building refurbished to match the quality and functionality of the new extension, delivering a modern, state-of-the-art passenger experience
throughout and introducing an even greater array of shops, restaurants and other facilities for those travelling through it. Opening this September, The Belle Vue pub will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of the airport’s decade-long transformation of Terminal 2.
Dubai’s $34.9bn expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is beginning to reshape investor interest across the emirate’s southern corridor, with aviation, logistics, employment and residential development combining to create what could become Dubai’s next major property growth area. As part of this massive expansion, plans are in place for the site to feature over 100,000sq m of dedicated retail space for shopping, luxury boutiques and commercial vendors, more than doubling the current retail capacity operated across Dubai’s airport network. The upcoming offerings will feature a blend of high-end global luxury flagships and authentic local Emirati retail concepts. The retail zones will integrate closely with indoor gardens, quiet zones and five-star hospitality lounges.
Retail at Sea
MSC Cruises onboard retail experiences have been brought to another level with a huge and varied retail offering aboard its flagship, MSC World America, which debuted last year. The new flagship’s more than 1,000sq m, spacious and modern shopping area offers nine unique shops, providing guests a world of choice with an impressive selection of boutiques, world-renowned brands and exclusive shopping experiences waiting to be discovered. From a first at sea pre-owned luxury accessories retail concept, an exciting new Bulova pop-up shop to a range of forward-thinking retail concepts selling fashion items, liquors, luxury watches and jewellery, perfumes, electronics and souvenirs, MSC World America offers something to satisfy every type of guest.
ANUA has delivered a standout launch with Harding+, a first at sea and rapidly expanding its cruise retail presence from an initial 14 ships to 27 ships. The expansion will also see the brand launch across a selection of European ships. The expansion reflects strong early performance, excellent customer engagement and growing confidence in the brand’s ability to recruit new skincare shoppers in the travel retail environment. The success comes as ANUA continues to build momentum as one of the fastest-growing names in Korean skincare. The brand is now ranking among the top five skincare brands on-board, underlining its ability to combine mass customer appeal with strong commercial performance.
Starboard has launched a portfolio of new retail experiences aboard Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, introducing a series of first-at-sea brand partnerships, immersive shopping concepts and personalised services as the cruise line’s third Icon Class ship begins service. Developed exclusively for Royal Caribbean, the retail programme spans luxury, fashion, beauty, jewellery and family-focused experiences, with several brands making their cruise retail debut. Among the first-at-sea launches are curated assortments from lululemon, Lagos, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Drunk Elephant, Kenny Flowers, Goshwara, JW PEI and the Clarins Lip Bar concept, which offers personalised shade matching and product consultations. Starboard has also introduced a dedicated Fashionphile boutique featuring authenticated pre-owned luxury handbags and accessories, alongside the cruise debut of French jewellery brand Aurélie Bidermann.
Stations as Destinations
The Masaryčka building in Prague is defined by circulation routes which will provide access to new civic spaces for the city. Accommodating the continued growth of the city’s corporate sector with office spaces designed to meet 21st century working patterns, the 28,000sq m Masaryčka office and retail development incorporates seven storeys within its eastern section and nine storeys at its western end. Integrating with Czech Railways’ modernisation of the historic Masaryk Railway Station that is creating a new public square partially over the railway tracks, Masaryčka’s design will enhance accessibility to the railway platforms below and provide new pedestrian routes between Florenc and Hybernská on either side of the station. Due for completion in 2026, Czech Railways’ renovation of Masaryk Railway Station adjacent to Masaryčka retains the existing historic terminus building and includes the construction of the new public square partially over the tracks giving access to individual platforms and a direct transfer to Prague’s metro line B. Transforming the station into a fully accessible, multi-modal transport hub for the city, its modernisation programme extends the current number of tracks from seven to nine and reconstructs all platforms, overhead line equipment and power supply.
Market Place Food Hall has announced the launch of its newest London Venue in Victoria, bringing an exciting new food, drink and entertainment destination to one of the capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Set in the heart of Victoria Station and spanning 5,000sq ft, the new venue will bring together 10 carefully curated food and beverage concepts, offering guests the opportunity to explore a diverse range of cuisines, discover emerging culinary talent and enjoy some of Market Place Food Hall’s most popular traders all under one roof! With space for over 200 guests, the venue is designed to meet the growing demand for experience-led dining, creating a flexible destination that seamlessly transitions lunchtime dining and informal business meetings to after work drinks, live sports screenings and evening socialising.
Etihad Rail has completed Dubai’s first passenger railway station almost two months before it opens to the public, marking a major milestone in the expansion of the UAE’s national rail network. Al Yalayis Station, located beside Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, is scheduled to welcome its first passengers on 30 September. With the main construction work complete, attention will now turn to testing passenger systems, conducting safety exercises, training staff and completing the station’s retail and food and beverage outlets, of which WHSmith is among the brands expected to operate inside the terminal.
