KEY INDUSTRY STATS

Duty free and travel retail is a global industry which specializes in selling products to international travelers. Duty free store sales are exempt from tax and excise duties, on the condition that goods are only sold to travelers who will transport them out of the country. The industry is commonly seen in airports, however, duty free and travel retail is also available at ports, aboard cruises and ferries in international waters, and on aircrafts during international flights. In some areas, such as non-EU Europe, Australasia, the Middle East, and Latin America, travelers have the option of purchasing duty free goods upon arrival. This trend has become a key source of income for airports. Moreover, duty free and travel retail generates necessary revenues for the travel, tourism, aviation and maritime industries. 

The leading duty free operators generate billions in revenue, contributing substantially to national economies and generating jobs for local communities

• Average travel retail and duty free spending per passenger in 2019/2020: 145 USD
• Duty free and travel retail sales worldwide in 2017: 68.5bn USD
• Global percentage of airport revenue generated from non-aeuronautical sources (including duty free and travel retail) - 39.2 per cent

Estimated revenue for top operators in 2020:

• China Duty Free Group - 6.6bn EUR
• Lotte Duty Free - 4.8bn EUR
• Shilla Duty Free - 4.2bn EUR
• Dufry Group - 2.3bn EUR
• Lagardère Travel Retail - 2.3bn EUR
• DFS Group - 2.2bn EUR
• Shinsegae Duty Free - 1.9bn EUR
• Gebr Heinemann - 1.6bn EUR
• Duty Free Americas - .95bn EUR
• King Power International Group - .9bn EUR