In 2025, Lagardère Travel Retail recorded a remarkable number of openings and key tender wins across its three business segments worldwide.
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
In Europe, the division secured major concessions in the United Kingdom, at London Luton (Duty Free) and London Heathrow (Travel Essentials), in Germany (Düsseldorf and Frankfurt) in the Travel Essentials and Dining segments, and in France (Nice Côte d’Azur) and Switzerland (Geneva) in Travel Essentials. Furthermore, the expansion of the retail network continued, with openings in Belfast (Northern Ireland), Verona (Italy) and Nantes (France), among others.
Highlights of the year included Lagardère Travel Retail’s takeover of all Duty Free operations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands), Europe’s fourth-largest aviation hub. Lastly, the division also extended its European footprint with the commencement of operations in Turkey (Antalya) and Albania (Tirana).
The Africa region enjoyed a dynamic year, with the start of operations in two new countries (Cameroon and Rwanda), while expansion continued in the Middle East, with multiple openings in the Dining and Duty Free segments in Saudi Arabia.
ASIA-PACIFIC AND AMERICAS
While streamlining its network in China, Lagardère Travel Retail also continued to expand in Asia. Notable achievements include the launch of operations across all three business segments in Cambodia (at the new Techo International Airport) and the gain of the Singapore Cruise Centre Duty Free concession.
In the Pacific region, the year was marked by Duty Free tender wins at Auckland and Wellington airports (New Zealand), as well as Duty Free and Travel Essentials concessions at the new Western Sydney Airport (Australia), scheduled to open in 2026.
In North America, Lagardère Travel Retail secured numerous tender wins and contract extensions, including Dining concessions in Atlanta and Dallas, alongside multiple Travel Essentials and Dining openings in Detroit, Houston, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Palm Springs and other airports.
Finally, 2025 was a big year for South America, with the opening of Duty Free, Duty Paid and Dining operations at the new Lima Airport terminal (Peru), alongside further openings in Santiago (Chile).
2025 Key dates
- January: tender win for the Dining concession at Frankfurt airport in Germany.
- February: start of operations in Albania with the launch of Duty Free activities at Tirana airport.
- March: successful tender for Duty Free at Auckland airport (New Zealand).
- April: opening of stores at Belfast airport (Northern Ireland) and commencement of activity in Cameroon (Yaoundé and Douala airports).
- May: takeover of all Duty Free operations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands) and launch of operations in Turkey (Antalya airport).
- June: opening of Duty Free, Duty Paid and Dining stores and restaurants in the new Lima Airport terminal (Peru), as well as the Duty Free concession at Verona airport (Italy).
- July: Frédéric Chevalier becomes Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Lagardère Travel Retail before being appointed Chief Executive Officer effective 1 March 2026.
Travel Essentials tender win for Terminal 2 at London Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom).
Validation of Lagardère Travel Retail’s carbon emission reduction targets by the SBTi. - September: opening of Duty Free and Dining stores and restaurants at two key Saudi Arabian airports (Medina and Tabuk).
- October: start of operations in Cambodia (Techo airport) and at the Singapore Cruise Centre. Duty Free concession win at London Luton Airport (United Kingdom).
- November: launch of activities in Rwanda (Kigali Airport).