GERMANY. Lagardère Travel Retail Germany has unveiled an extensive line-up of fresh retail and dining concepts at Düsseldorf Airport on 4 May, blending international food trends with regional culinary culture and modern travel retail concepts.
Designed to elevate the travel experience, the retailer is progressively rolling out a broader mix of retail and dining options that bring new experiences and moments of indulgence to travellers.
The initiative forms part of the master concession secured by Lagardère Travel Retail Germany through an international tender for large sections of retail and catering operations at the airport.
Lagardère noted the importance of this project as a key development in the German airport market, broadening traveller choice across dining and retail, from grab-and-go options to full-service formats.
Düsseldorf Airport Chairman of the Management Board Lars Redeligx said, “The new restaurants and shops send a strong signal: Düsseldorf Airport is moving another step closer to its goal of becoming one of Europe’s best airports.
“We are creating an environment that inspires, surprises and offers our guests genuine moments of enjoyment.
“Together with Lagardère Travel Retail Germany, we are deliberately focusing on a high quality of stay and on experiences – because we are convinced that an excellent airport must offer precisely that to its passengers, guests and staff.”
Lagardère Travel Retail COO Europe and North America Lucio Rossetto added, “Düsseldorf Airport is of great importance to us in several respects: it represents a major win in travel essentials, further strengthening our leadership in this business line, and reinforces our position as a key player in dining.
“At the same time, airports like Düsseldorf – as key regional hubs – are leading the way in innovation, making this project particularly relevant for us.”
Lagardère Travel Retail Germany Managing Director Jochen Halfmann commented, “Düsseldorf Airport is one of Germany’s most significant airports.
“With the new stores, we are creating a diverse portfolio of international brands, innovative dining concepts and strong local offerings here – thereby redefining the travel experience for millions of passengers.”
Fresh retail formats
Alongside the expansion of food & beverage concepts, six new stores under the Relay travel essentials brand have opened in the new Terminal 3.
The openings demonstrate Relay’s ability to adapt its formats to different travel environments and customer needs, while expanding beyond traditional convenience retail, Lagardère noted.
To build stronger emotional engagement with customers, the store last year introduced its mascot, Hay! for its 25th anniversary as part of an experience-led retail strategy.
Strengthening customer engagement, future activations will include readings by local authors, complemented by a wide assortment of German and English-language literature.
Bringing global dining trends to the airport
The refreshed experiential zones at the airport are anchored by a wide range of food & beverage brands, including new concepts showcasing international cuisine, urban food trends and regional specialities, some making their German debut.
The latest culinary highlights include:
EL&N London: The globally recognised lifestyle café from London, known for its patisserie, coffee specialities and distinctive design, brings its signature café culture and Instagram appeal to the airport, marking its first appearance in Germany.
Popeyes: The American fast-food chain with a 50-year heritage brings its Louisiana culinary tradition to Germany, featuring bold Cajun and Creole flavours and a New Orleans-inspired menu, including its Chicken Sandwich, spicy chicken tenders and other regional specialities.
bona’me: Originating from the Rhine-Ruhr region, the successful restaurant concept from the Doğan family serves modern Oriental cuisine with open kitchens and freshly prepared dishes, focusing on contemporary Kurdish-Turkish specialities.
Papa Pepe: Inspired by the Amalfi Coast and the streets of Naples, Papa Pepe brings the Italian way of life to the airport, serving pizza, pasta and arancini in a relaxed market hall-style setting.
Rheinbissen: Developed by Lagardère, Rheinbissen brings regional culinary culture to a permanent location in Terminal A. The concept offers a modern take on classic Rhineland dishes, serving local tradition to an international audience.
Further roll out of retail concepts
The food and retail experience zones at Düsseldorf Airport are set for continued development in the coming months.
Alongside the stores already opened, eight further travel retail locations are being planned, including additional Relay outlets and new concepts such as Affenbande and Discover.
One of the key highlights is the upcoming hybrid Relay Café format, which combines travel retail, press and books with a café concept, integrating shopping and F&B in a single space. ✈
