Lagardère Travel Retail’s eight-year contract starts on 1 July, 2025.

Following a competitive tender, Lagardère Travel Retail has been appointed by Auckland Airport (AKL) to operate duty free retailing at the hub under a new eight-year contract beginning on 1 July, 2025.

“We are honoured and thrilled that Auckland Airport has put its trust in Lagardère Travel Retail to begin a new chapter for duty free retail at AKL,” said Dag Rasmussen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lagardère Travel Retail.

“This new concession marks a fresh start for duty free in Auckland, and travellers will benefit from a thorough transformation of the retail offer, based on a unique retail experience and a heightened sense of place.

“This important contract gain underlines Lagardère Travel Retail’s commitment to New Zealand and to developing our footprint in Asia Pacific.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the LagardèreAWPL team for their dedication and hard work over the past years, as they transition into the Lagardère Travel Retail business.”

Lagardère Travel Retail has won an eight-year duty free contract at Auckland Airport.

Over the course of the new concession, Lagardère Travel Retail will undertake a full refurbishment of all Auckland’s duty free stores.

Through the renewed partnership with AKL, Lagardère states it will deliver a bespoke retail proposition that capitalises on New Zealand’s rich culture and array of high quality local brands and produce.

Lagardère Travel Retail is undertaking a full store refurbishment to enhance the shopping experience.

“In selecting Lagardère Travel Retail, we are confident we have a partner that is a world-leader in duty-free shopping, which understands the New Zealand and trans-Tasman duty-free proposition,” said Mark Thomson, Chief Commercial Officer at Auckland Airport .

“They have over 10 years’ experience at AKL, most recently as part of the joint venture company LagardèreAWPL, trading as Aelia Duty Free. They also have global retail pedigree, operating in some of the largest airports in the Asia-Pacific region and in other locations around the world.”

The tender win follows Auckland Airport’s transition to a single operator model from 1 June 2023, with Lagardère AWPL as the sole (interim) duty free partner.

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