Belfast International Airport has appointed Lagardère Travel Retail to operate its new duty free retail and food and beverage store.
This new contract marks a significant milestone, reflecting the long-term global partnership between Lagardère Travel Retail and VINCI Airports, which operates Belfast International, as well as Lagardère Travel Retail’s commitment to enhancing the traveller experience.
The new store will open in April and create an additional 40 jobs at the airport.
The project is part of VINCI Airports’ 5-year £100m investment and redevelopment programme to enhance the passenger experience at Belfast International Airport.
Belfast International Airport Chief Executive, Daniel Owens, said: “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.
“However, it also highlights the inequality that Northern Ireland travellers face as they cannot avail of the full duty free tax exemption when travelling to other UK and EU Airports, as airports across rest of the UK and Ireland can, following the Brexit transition period. This places Northern Ireland at a clear competitive disadvantage for attracting routes, visitors and investment and something we are determined to put right to ensure our travellers are fairly and equitably treated.”
Peter Newbould, Chief Executive of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, 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.”
Spanning over 1,600 square metres, the new concept store is twice as large than the current provision.
This new offering will combine Duty Free, Food & Beverage and Travel Essentials all under one roof creating a fully immersive duty free experience. For the first time, passengers will have access to iconic global brands such as MINISO and Rituals.
The offering also celebrates Northern Ireland’s local heritage with the introduction of the Whiskey Apothecary concept, featuring local brands such as McConnell’s, Bushmills, and Boatyard Distillery.
This is further enhanced through a partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, including initiatives like the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail, highlighting the region’s rich distilling heritage. Passengers will also be invited to explore an international tasting bar, sampling local and global products to discover and take home their favourite finds.
Interactive “Hotspots” will add an immersive dimension, showcasing curated selections of clean beauty, local fashion, and dining options to engage travellers and create memorable experiences.
A standout space is 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 innovative space will include a dedicated MINISO corner – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland – alongside Lagardère Travel Retail’s unique Discover Belfast and Tech2Go concepts, complemented by Fashion and Travel Essentials shop-in-shops.
