Lagardère Travel Retail is an international company that is present in 42 countries, with a turnover of over €7 billion in 2023, with 500 points of sale worldwide. Its activity, duty free or duty paid, depending on the country, is concentrated in areas of intense transit, such as the Airport, train stations and commercial spaces, and is carried out according to the national legislation of the country, Baptiste Duguit, Vice-President for Business Development at Lagardère Travel Retail, stated in a press conference hosted by IPN.
According to Baptiste Duguit, the company sells duty free such products as tobacco, alcoholic products, perfumes, fashion products, which can often be smuggled, at airports that are a very important area for any country.
The company’s strategy is to be a single operator and to cover through the provided services the whole range of products that travelers need in airports, namely food, the print media, books and everything related to travel essentials.
Baptiste Duguit noted that when the company expands its business in a particular country, firms are opened in that country, local staff is hired and the business is developed in accordance with the local legislation. The company also works in partnership with the local authorities or private operators that are the owners of the premises where Lagardère is based.
The duty free or duty paid fashion registers a turnover of €2 billion in more than 30 countries, with 900 points of sale in over 150 airports.
Travel essentials, gifts, food products reach a €3 billion turnover in 2,800 points of sale, while catering services - a turnover of almost €1.5 billion in 29 countries.
“We are not unique, but we are among the world leaders in this travel retail activity,” said Baptiste Duguit, who added that in each country they use personal experience to bring something new for passengers, but also to generate benefits and money for the authorities of the countries where they do business. Also, there is sustainability at the “heart” of their activity and this is paramount in all the countries where they are present.
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