A recent Q4 report from m1nd-set, “On My Own – Solo Travellers in GTR”, explored the fascinating growth of the Solo Traveller, their defining behaviours and the opportunities they hold within the travel retail sector.

Here are a few of our key takeaways:

· While globally, women account for 65-85% of solo travellers, 57% of solo travel shoppers in airports are men.

· Solo travellers are more likely to be travelling for business than the global average (42% versus 27%) and are more likely to travel in a premium class (31% versus 24% global average).

· Solo travellers are more likely to self-treat. 57% of solo buyers purchased for themselves compared to 53% among all global buyers. Their purchases are not driven by gifting or promotions, but rather by personal meaning. Solo travellers align with the global average for planning purchases, with 71% planning in advance and 29% buying on the fly.

· Solo traveller conversion and spend are higher than the global average. Conversion rates among solo travellers lies above the average for all travellers, with 71% making a purchase in travel retail outlets, as against a global average of 66%. The average spend for solo travellers is USD $133, compared to a global average of USD $129, with Jewellery, Fashion and Electronics being the categories which attract the highest spend.

· Solo travellers are more likely to engage in price comparison, with 58% comparing prices, compared to a global average of 55%. They also tend to engage more with sales staff (52%, versus 49% global average), indicating that personal attention and human interaction are important factors in the solo travellers shopping experience.

Passenger insights are crucial to adapting our business and ensuring we can best cater to the passengers travelling through our airports. We’re excited to explore this new generation of travellers and enhance our offering to best suit their needs!