EUROPE. European airport duty-free sales rose +5.5% year-on-year in 2025 to €10.13 billion according to the latest European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) Business Performance Index.
The figure marks the highest annual sales value ever recorded for the sector.
The Index highlights continued strengthening of the European airport duty-free market, in terms of both value and volume gains.
Unit sales climbed +4.5% year-on-year, underlining resilient consumer demand despite uncertainty in the global geopolitical landscape.
However, while passenger numbers grew +5.8% versus 2024, outpacing sales growth, average spend per passenger declined slightly by -0.3% to €10.55.
Performance remained broadly positive across categories with all major segments delivering year-on-year growth. Tobacco and food & confectionery led the way with double-digit increases. Spirits sales slid -0.7%.
“The 2025 results underline the sector’s resilience, with record sales achieved despite a more complex environment,” commented ETRC President Nigel Keal.
“While spend per passenger has slightly softened, the industry remains well positioned to strengthen its performance and deliver sustainable growth in the years ahead. Fingers crossed, the Middle East situation is resolved as soon as possible.”
The ETRC Business Performance Index is compiled by Pi Insight and ForwardKeys. Pi Insight uses sales data from participating travel retailers while ForwardKeys offers passenger traffic information. The full report is available exclusively to ETRC members. ✈
