Duty Free and Travel Retail Market Report 2026

The duty free and travel retail market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $55 billion in 2025 to $63.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing international travel, expansion of airport infrastructure, rise of global tourism, increasing disposable income, growth of luxury retail segments.

The duty free and travel retail market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $108.21 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to surge in cross-border travel, adoption of digital and contactless retail, growth of emerging markets, demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, expansion of duty-free retail in non-airport locations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of mobile payment and contactless solutions, growing focus on personalized customer experience, expansion of omnichannel retail strategies, rising demand for premium and exclusive products, integration of loyalty programs and traveler engagement.

The rise in international travel is expected to drive the growth of the duty-free and travel retail markets in the future. International travel involves crossing borders for tourism, business, or personal reasons. This increase in global travel is supported by factors such as globalization, lower airfare, business expansion, digital nomadism, and the appeal of cultural exploration, all made possible by advancements in transportation and technology. Duty-free and travel retail services enable travelers to buy items such as alcohol, tobacco, and luxury goods at reduced prices, often without taxes, enhancing their travel experience. For example, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported in January 2024 that international air travel capacity and passenger demand had recovered to 90% of pre-pandemic levels by 2023. Additionally, global accommodation occupancy rates reached 65% in November 2023, up from 62% in November 2022. Consequently, the expanding international travel market is expected to boost the duty-free and travel retail sectors.

Major companies operating in the duty-free and travel retail markets are increasingly pursuing strategic partnerships to improve their integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies and expand their market presence. A strategic partnership generally involves a collaborative relationship between two or more organizations, combining their resources, expertise, and efforts to achieve shared objectives. For example, in May 2023, Coty Inc., a US-based beauty company, partnered with Shilla Duty-Free, a South Korean travel retail company, to explore new methods of engaging travelers in the duty-free and travel retail sectors. This collaboration aims to enhance the customer shopping experience by incorporating advanced digital tools, such as AR and VR simulations, into their retail operations, creating a more interactive and personalized environment for shoppers, boosting sales, and promoting customer loyalty. The partnership intends to provide a seamless and immersive shopping experience that matches the evolving expectations of travelers and duty-free consumers, establishing both companies as leaders in digital transformation within the travel retail industry.

In March 2024, Adani Enterprises, an India-based company with interests in energy, infrastructure, and logistics, acquired Le Marche Duty-Free SAS for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to strengthen Adani Enterprises' presence in the duty-free sector and support its expansion plans for Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited. It also aims to enhance Adani's global presence in travel retail. Le Marche Duty-Free SAS is a France-based company that operates in the duty-free retail sector, offering tax-free goods to travelers.

Major companies operating in the duty free and travel retail market are China Duty Free Group Co Ltd, Avolta AG, Lagardère Travel Retail, Dufry AG, Lotte Duty Free, Gebr Heinemann SE & Co. KG, DFS Group, Duty Free Americas Inc, Ever Rich Duty Free, Dubai Duty Free, James Richardson Group, WH Smith PLC, Shinsegae Duty Free, Aer Rianta International cpt, King Power International Group, Starboard Cruise Services, Qatar Duty Free, Tallink Duty Free AS, Gulf Air Duty Free, 3Sixty Duty Free & More, Flemingo International Ltd, Lotte Duty Free, The Shilla Duty Free, Sky Connection Ltd, Blue Water Bridge Duty Free Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the duty free and travel retail market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the duty free and travel retail market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the duty free and travel retail market report are Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.

The duty-free and travel retail market includes revenues earned by entities by providing product selection and merchandise, promotions and discounts, personal shopping assistance, and tax and duty calculation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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