UK. London Luton Airport has announced the selection of Lagardère Travel Retail to operate an expanded duty-free store footprint at the travel hub, continuing a relationship that has already run for two decades.
The ten-year contract will come into force on 1 November 2026, and was awarded following what London Luton Airport Head of Retail and Surface Access Mark Jennings described as “a highly competitive tender process”.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lagardère Travel Retail will operate a significantly extended duty-free retail space across the terminal. It will rise from the current 2,530sq m to 3,340sq m.
The new concession will see London Luton Airport’s main duty-free store in departures grow by over +40% to 2,680sq m. It will also include the operation of a secondary duty-free store in departures and a store in arrivals.
London Luton Airport has confirmed to The Moodie Davitt Report that the refurbished and extended stores will continue trading under the existing Aelia Duty Free name.
Aligned to the airport’s vision to offer a shopping experience that is “unexpected, immersive and fun”, the airport operator noted the main duty-free store is set to undergo a “comprehensive and exciting” redesign.
Significantly, in line with new trends in duty free designed to encourage greater dwell time, the space will include an eye-catching Bottega Prosecco bar. The food & beverage venue is being designed specifically for the airport.
The duty-free stores will feature a range of international brands with curated displays and a distinctive sense of place that showcases British names such as Fortnum & Mason, Creed, Charlotte Tilbury and Cadbury.
There will also be a dedicated space for sustainable products, the airport operator noted.
Jennings commented, “London Luton Airport has partnered with Lagardère Travel Retail since 2005, a 20-year period that has seen passenger numbers at the airport climb from around 9 million to almost 18 million this year.
“Throughout this period, Lagardère Travel Retail has demonstrated its strategic credentials, offering even greater choice through the introduction of exciting luxury and affordable international brands, whilst delivering gold standard service based on strong experiential and promotional engagement.
“Our continued collaboration with Lagardère Travel Retail follows a highly competitive tender process, delivered with the support of the airport owner Luton Rising and under the stewardship of shareholders AENA and Infrabridge. The winning proposal stood out for its quality and for matching the scale of our duty-free ambitions in this next exciting new chapter for the airport.”
Lagardère Travel Retail Chief Executive Officer UK & Ireland Peter Newbould said: “This is a proud moment for all of us at Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland. Our teams have worked tirelessly on this tender and I am delighted that London Luton Airport has recognised our determination to take the quality of duty-free retail to a new level here.
“We’ve built a strong platform in LLA over recent years but we can always do more to ensure we meet the changing needs of our customers. I would also like to sincerely thank all at London Luton Airport for their trust. We look forward to working closely with them to achieve our common goals together.” ✈
