Airport Experience® News - Retail Issue 2026

of todays travelers. “Through extensive passenger research, we found that travelers – both domestic and international – seek experiences that feel authentic to where they are.” The in-store dynamics are changing, and the landscape for airport duty free has shifted in recent years as well. In March, longtime duty free operator DFS Group transferred its Los Angeles and San Francisco airport business to Duty Free Americas, owned by Falic Group. “The transfer of Los Angeles and San Francisco International Airports underscores our growth strategy, further expanding both our airport footprint and luxury retail presence,” Leon Falic, president of Falic Group and DFA, said at the time of the acquisition. “We are delighted to be partnering with two of the top airports in the Americas — among the most important globally, with an exceptional gateway to international routes.” Duty Free Americas has been active throughout North America. It won the contract to operate Skyline Duty Free by Duty Free Americas at the New Terminal One at JFK, scheduled to open later this year. And in April, DFA opened its new Lego specialty store at JFK Terminal 8.

Global spending on luxury products reached approximately $1.89 trillion in 2025 and is on track to stabilize at around $1.66 to $1.7 trillion, the study reports, with jewelry leading the pack and apparel, eyewear and fragrances performing well. Cosmetics, leather goods and footwear remain further behind, with the popularity of resale affecting the designer bag and watch market. Consumer sentiment towards experiences is also outpacing enthusiasm for tangible goods, the study reports, “reflecting a structural and cultural shift from ownership to lived moments.” “Experiential retail isn’t a trend anymore. It’s becoming an expectation. Travelers have limited time in airports, and the best experiences turn that time into a memory rather than a wait,” says Kate Herzig, executive vice president, duty-free North America and Canada retail operations for Avolta . “When travelers leave saying ‘I didn’t expect that at an airport,’ we’ve succeeded.” Belinda Jain, vice president of customer experience and commercial at John F. Kennedy International Airport International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), says the Terminal 4 offerings at JFK are being updated to reflect the demands

Above: JFKIAT has chosen to showcase local businesses as part of its New York Duty Free concept, which features built-in experiential elements like makeup tutorials and an in-store tasting bar.

The company also operates Lego stores at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Miami International Airport . 3Sixty Duty Free is also expanding its presence in North America. This summer, the operator opened five new duty free locations at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal B, in partnership with Fraport. Showcasing Local JFKIAT, which will partner with JFK T4 Retail Partners (a collaboration between ARI, International Shoppes and local small enterprise partners) to overhaul its duty free offerings, has chosen to showcase local businesses as part of its New York Duty Free concept, which features built-in experiential elements like makeup tutorials and an in-store tasting bar.

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AX NEWS SEPTEMBER 2026