Secret’s out: International retailer coming to Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland Airport, in partnership with Auckland Duty Free operator Lagardère, has today announced an iconic addition to its retail offering with a full-format Victoria’s Secret store.

Opening airside at AKL’s international terminal next year, the new store will be the only Victoria’s Secret retail experience available in New Zealand.

Kiwi travellers at AKL will be able to shop Victoria’s Secret’s best-selling bras and signature fine fragrances. In addition, there will be a range of body care, underwear, sleepwear and apparel.

Auckland Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thomson said Victoria’s Secret is the first new store to come as part of a wider transformation of AKL’s airside retail offering.

“Victoria’s Secret is one of the world’s most iconic lingerie and beauty brands, and we’re delighted to welcome the store to Auckland Airport.  Our airside retail offering is going to be transformed over the coming year, bringing a fresh modern experience to AKL that goes beyond traditional shopping,” he said.

Helly Ding, VP of Victoria’s Secret travel retail said: “It is an exciting milestone for Victoria’s Secret to return to New Zealand with an opening at Auckland Airport. The expansion in the Asia-Pacific region represents a significant step forward in our global growth strategy and our commitment to bringing the iconic Victoria’s Secret experience to customers worldwide. We are deeply grateful for the exceptional partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail NZ and Auckland Airport, whose collaboration made this long-awaited store possible for Kiwi travellers.”

Cyril LETOCART, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail NZ, said, “We’re proud to bring a larger format Victoria’s Secret store with a broad range to AKL, we know our customers have been looking for this. This will help strengthen the retail offering for travellers at AKL, encouraging passengers to explore before they fly.  I want to acknowledge the outstanding relationship we have with Victoria’s Secret to bring a highly sought after offering to the country’s gateway.”

Victoria's Secret previously operated a smaller beauty and accessories store within Auckland Airport’s international terminal airside departures area from 2015 until mid-2019, when its license ended.

Revitalising retail areas at the country’s gateway
Mr Thomson said: “This is just the beginning of a series of changes that travellers can expect to see in 2026. In addition to Victoria’s Secret, the Auckland Duty Free offer will undergo a significant transformation in both departures and arrivals. 

“It's been eight years since the duty-free areas were fully refurbished. Through redesigning the duty-free offering with Lagardère, it means we can welcome more brands and products and integrate more unique experiences worth making time for.  A key driver for partnering with Lagardère is their ability to bring sought after international brands to AKL, as well as supporting and showcasing local.”

The works for the major revamp will begin in January 2026 following preparation work starting next month.  The new Auckland Duty Free space will be completed in stages across the year.  

A more modern space will introduce emerging beauty brands, targeting a younger generation of travellers. 
It will include improved activation spaces for testing and tasting experiences, as well as expanded ranges of fragrance, cosmetics, beauty and wellness products.  Customers can also expect to find brands exclusively available at Auckland Duty Free.  The departures duty free space on level one will also have new views to the runway.

Mr Thomson added, “The construction work means travellers will notice some changes from early next year, while we move stores around and re-fit spaces.  We do ask that travellers are patient as we conduct the work.”

Recent store openings at AKL
Auckland Airport has recently welcomed new local stores to the international airside retail area in the second half of this year, with the arrival of Boh Runga Jewellery for gifts and keepsakes; and Aotea, a therapeutic natural skincare range, which is inspired by traditional Māori knowledge and made with native plants. 

Australian favourite UGG Express also recently opened in the international terminal. 

The international landside food court has been upgraded, with a new-look space delivered in time for the upcoming busy summer peak.  The functional and practical space includes more contemporary seating, with a 15% increase in seating capacity, and more places to charge devices.

At the domestic terminal, Bluebells Cakery opened in the landside area, opposite arrivals. 

“The airport will also be evolving the overall airside offer beyond duty free, including food and beverage as well as the dining and dwell areas.  We look forward to revealing more plans soon,” said Mr Thomson.