UK. Lagardère Travel Retail has secured a contract with Belfast International Airport, part of the Vinci Airports network, to operate retail and food & beverage spaces following a competitive tender. The revamped store is scheduled to open in April.
This dedicated area, spanning over 1,600sq m, will combine duty-free, travel essentials and F&B offerings. Brands such as Rituals and Miniso will be included, expanding the airport’s retail line-up.
The new concept will highlight Northern Ireland’s heritage by introducing the Whiskey Apothecary, featuring local brands such as McConnell’s, Bushmills and Boatyard Distillery.
In collaboration with Tourism Northern Ireland, initiatives such as the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail will showcase the region’s distilling history.
The retail and F&B space will also feature an international tasting bar, inviting passengers to sample both local and global products.
Interactive ‘hotspots’ will provide an immersive experience, featuring curated selections of clean beauty, local fashion and F&B options to engage travellers.
Another standout section will be 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 space will include a dedicated Miniso corner alongside Lagardère Travel Retail’s Discover Belfast and Tech2Go concepts, complemented by fashion and travel essentials shop-in-shops.
This project is part of Belfast International Airport’s redevelopment programme to enhance the passenger experience. The new F&B and retail contract marks a key step in the longstanding partnership between Lagardère Travel Retail and Vinci Airports.
Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland CEO Peter Newbould 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.”
Belfast International Airport CEO Daniel Owens 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 European 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 Northern Ireland passengers.”
The contract with Belfast International Airport brings the total number of Lagardère Travel Retail-operated stores in the UK and Ireland to 26, covering duty free, travel essentials and F&B. ✈
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