Generation Research have recently published their preliminary report on H1 Duty Free and Travel Retail in 2025. Our Insights team have pulled their key facts and figures, highlighting the strength of the overall performance of H1, particularly with the growth of the tobacco category – all this despite the backdrop of global economic uncertainty and growing geopolitical tensions.

• In total, the global value of Duty Free and travel retail sales worldwide in H1 2025 came to $36,181.5 million, of which a majority (56.6%) was comprised of sales in airport shops ($20,471.6 million).
• Growth in Airport Duty Free sales was highest in Africa (+10.9%, $504.4 million), the Middle East (+8.6%, $2,771.2 million), and Europe (+6.1%, $8,114.7 million), whereas sales in the Americas grew by only 1.3% year-on-year (to $1.971.5 million).
• The value of sales across major categories the value of tobacco sales in Airport Duty Free shops increased 13.2% year-on-year (to $2,386.3 million), fashion & accessories were up 6.7% (to $2,811.8 million), and fragrances & Cosmetics were up 5.2% (to $6,486.4 million). Wines & spirits, by contrast, saw sales growth of only 2.8% (to $3,695.1 million).
• Within European Airports, the value of sales in Tobacco goods increased by 14.8% (to $1,027.5 million), fashion & accessories by 7.7% (to $943.2 million), and fragrances & cosmetics by 6.9% (to $2,233.4 million). By contrast, the value of sales in wines & spirts grew by only 1.4% (to $1,736.7 million).

Have you noticed any of these changes?