Shopping has become almost synonymous with the airport experience as both airports and airlines try to make the most of passengers having hours of time to burn with little to do. Nowadays, most of the world's leading international airports offer a wide range of shopping options both landside and airside. At some of the best airports, the experience is akin to strolling through a world-class luxury shopping mall, given the huge amount of shops, restaurants, and other curiosities on offer.
In fact, many find themselves shelling out more on new clothes or jewelry than they paid for their actual flight! According to Airport Technology , airports have been increasingly investing in the amount of premium retail space in recent years, signaling a growing trend among travelers to invest in high-end products. The travel retail market overall is booming, with a projected worth of $80 billion in 2023 estimated to shoot up to $145 billion by 2032. Duty free shopping has become an integral part of flying.
Many large hub airports offer extensive shopping options. So which airports offer the best luxury shopping experience? There is, of course, a key difference between your typical retail options and the luxury retail market, so this guide will explore airports that really place an emphasis on prestigious (and often expensive) brands. Hamad International Airport (DOH) The Doha airport is just over a decade old and has consistently ranked as one of the world's best airports by Skytrax (inclu.