Leading global duty free operators 2015, based on departing international passengers

This statistic shows the leading duty free operators worldwide in 2015, based on departing international passengers. According to the report, Lagardère was the third leading global duty free operator that year, based on approximately 132.7 million departing international passengers.

Duty free - additional information

The duty free and travel retail industry specializes in selling goods to international travelers. Duty free store sales are exempted from local tax and excise duties, on the condition that products are only sold to travelers who will transport them outside the country. Airports account for the majority of sales, however, duty free and travel retail is also available at border shops, onboard cruises and ferries in international waters, and onboard aircrafts during international flights. In some areas, travelers have the opportunity to buy duty free goods upon arrival. Consequently, duty free and travel retail generates needed revenues for the travel, tourism, aviation and maritime industries.

Dufry was the top global duty free operator in 2015. That year, the company had access to more than 355 million departing international passengers, the largest duty free and travel retail market in the world. Furthermore, global duty free and travel retail sales amounted to approximately 60 billion U.S. dollars in 2013 and were forecast to increase to 85 billion U.S. dollars by 2020. In 2015, airports accounted for more than half of global travel retail sales. Fragrances and cosmetics were the most popular product category, followed by wines and spirits, and fashion and accessories.