NIGERIA. L’Oréal, in partnership with Inter-African Marketing (IAM), has unveiled its first African travel retail boutique in Dunes Duty Free, at Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The 50sq m L’Oréal-exclusive store, launched last week (6 November), is designed to elevate the region’s travel retail landscape.
The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key stakeholders.
The boutique highlights product discovery for travellers within a thoughtfully designed space to explore L’Oréal’s offerings.
Visitors can explore a selection of premium brands, including YSL, Armani, Lancôme, Prada, Valentino, Mugler, Viktor & Rolf, Ralph Lauren and Maison Margiela, as well as dermo-cosmetic essentials such as La Roche-Posay, Vichy and CeraVe. This is the first time L’Oréal’s dermatology portfolio has been showcased in this format in Africa.
L’Oréal Travel Retail EMEAI Area Manager for the Africa Zone Patrick Richmond Utomoibor said, “This store is truly best-in-class, designed for engagement with Africa’s most sophisticated travellers.
“It embodies our focus on consumer centricity, offering luxury brands, tailor-made offers and expert service from highly trained beauty advisors. Simply put, this store is shaping the travel retail landscape in Africa.”
Utomoibor added, “This shop-in-shop represents a significant milestone for the L’Oréal Group in Africa’s second-largest beauty market.
“It is a project meticulously designed to cater to the evolving needs of Nigerian and African travellers – and a reflection of our ambition to shape a future ecosystem for Africa travel retail.
“Beyond offering exceptional products, our vision is to foster an environment of inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability across the continent. True to L’Oréal’s sustainability commitments, we prioritised local production for all furniture and fixtures.
“This approach not only enhances the boutique’s modern aesthetic but also supports local artisans and reduces our environmental footprint. It is a powerful statement of how we can blend beauty, innovation and responsibility to redefine the travel retail experience in Africa.”
A focus on service and personalisation
The boutique offers tailored consultations from on-site beauty advisors to meet travellers’ diverse needs. This approach reflects L’Oréal Travel Retail’s focus on turning transit time into meaningful, personalised experiences.
IAM Commercial Director Johnny Lakhwani said: “What we’ve achieved with L’Oréal at Abuja Airport is truly groundbreaking. This is Africa’s inaugural L’Oréal-only shop-in-shop within an airport – a new benchmark that sets the stage for the future of beauty in travel retail across the continent.
“African travellers can now expect the same world-class brands and exceptional service found in leading international airports globally. Until now, the travel retail beauty and fragrance category in Africa has lacked a true benchmark.
“This opening establishes that standard – offering local and international travellers a premium experience that reflects their expectations and spending power.”
Lakhwani added: “L’Oréal is renowned for creating outstanding beauty environments, and this boutique is no exception.
“We are confident this opening will inspire other travel retailers across Africa to recognise this immense opportunity. African travellers possess the appetite and purchasing power; what they’ve yearned for is access to premium beauty experiences. This is just the beginning.”
This launch underscores IAM’s investment and positions Abuja as a key hub for luxury and innovation.
The boutique benefits from Nigeria’s second-busiest airport, which serves around 3 million passengers annually, and meets the rising demand for premium, experiential beauty. ✈
