Rebooting the international travel experience: Beauty & fragrance take centre stage in retail upgrades

•    Most significant airside upgrade in a decade underway, delivering refurbishments to duty free on departures and arrivals, two duty free stores close to the departure gates, along with other customer service improvements
•    New duty free customer experience to feature expanded beauty zone, including a new Chanel boutique, alongside Prada Beauty, Miu Miu, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Guerlain L'Art et la Matière; and Korean beauty brands such as Anua, Isntree and Biodance
•    Aesop and Le Labo launching standalone stores as part of the transformation.

Auckland Airport has moved into the next phase of its international terminal transformation, with a significant refurbishment of retail and duty free underway and a new beauty zone launching soon.

The upgrade, with Lagardère on duty free, marks a shift to a retail experience designed around the traveller, with more room to explore, better brand experiences and a carefully curated mix that reflects how people want to shop today.

Auckland Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thomson said the improvements will have beauty and fragrance at the heart of the new offer.
“Our customers have told us they want more engaging airport experiences and a wider mix of brands. We're delivering with a major upgrade to duty free and retail across international departures and arrivals. This is a deliberate move to strengthen our retail mix, provide an enhanced customer proposition, and modernise the space.

“The transformation project remains on track, with staged works progressing to plan since January. We are excited to be delivering this project and we thank travellers for their patience while we complete these works.” 

Bespoke beauty precinct
The redevelopment will introduce an expanded beauty precinct, bringing together leading global, local and emerging names across skincare, cosmetics, fragrance, haircare and suncare. The beauty destination will feature an expanded Chanel boutique experience, alongside sought-after luxury brands such as Prada Beauty, Miu Miu, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Guerlain L'Art et la Matière. The offer will also introduce globally trending beauty brands including Laneige, Beauty of Joseon and Medicube, creating a unique blend of luxury, innovation and discovery for international travellers.

Mr Thomson said, “Beauty and fragrance are currently some of the most dynamic categories in travel retail globally and Auckland Airport is no exception. We’re seeing strong demand for skincare and everyday premium beauty as well as premium and niche fragrances which is why we are responding with a more curated range that caters to different traveller tastes, from sought-after luxury and hard-to-find brands, through to emerging labels and the trusted products customers know and love.”

The range will also embrace the global rise of Korean beauty (K-beauty), with a curated selection of more than ten K-beauty brands joining the line-up for the first time.

Mr Thomson said, “Korean skincare is something our customers are increasingly looking for, it’s a major growth area in beauty right now. We're pleased to be incorporating K-beauty brands from Anua to Isntree and Biodance."

There will be more flexibility to embrace trends as certain products surge in popularity, such as Hourglass, Prada Beauty and Urban Decay, among more soon to be announced.

Lagardère Chief Commercial Officer Laura Perron commented, “We’re proud to be part of this transformation at Auckland Airport, lifting the duty free experience at the nation’s most important gateway and as a key touchpoint for travellers to and from New Zealand.  We’re seeing a strong demand for premium products, innovative skincare, distinctive brands and more engaging retail environments. Our focus is on responding with a sharper, more considered offer.”

Further upgrades to come
For the first time, new standalone stores for two premium brands will launch later this year, Aesop with their skin, hair, and body-care products; and luxury French fragrance brand Le Labo, both located next to the main departure's duty free store.

Mr Thomson said, “Adding dedicated Aesop and Le Labo stores brings greater depth to our beauty and fragrance offer and gives travellers even more reasons to explore. 

“We’re also upgrading the food and beverage offering this year, with new dining spaces and a mix of local and international brands opening progressively throughout the redevelopment.

"This project is anchored in providing greater customer choice and lifting the overall customer experience. I recommend allowing plenty of time to clear security and enjoy the airside experience before boarding.”

New openings
Duty free stores near the departure gates (gates 1-10 and gates 15-18), and at arrivals, are re-opening after being refurbished, with a new layout, and more ranges on offer.

Earlier this year, a new entrance and revamped walkway into the main departures duty free store opened, along with a new bar ‘The Mixologist’ with views onto the runway, serving up bites to eat and cocktails as an innovative way to sip and experience the vast range on offer in duty free.

The revitalised departures duty free area showcases Auckland Airport’s commitment to New Zealand brands and producers. Coromandel Chocolates and Master Weaves are featured among other local products. There are nearly 70 New Zealand wines available and more than 40 kiwi spirit labels, such as TAHU, the first Māori owned gin company.

New Zealand’s first full-format Victoria’s Secret store opened in international departures airside in April, gaining great popularity amongst travellers.
Mr Thomson said, “Customers are starting to get a taste of what’s to come and we’re working closely with Lagardère to keep a strong retail offer in place throughout the remainder of construction. This transition is all about delivering a vibrant retail experience.”

The retail refurbishment is expected to be completed in December 2026. The overall footprint for duty free will remain the same.