Effective 1 May, Lagardère Travel Retail runs the duty free operation at Schiphol Airport under a new joint venture contract. Credit: Jacqueline van Kerkhof/Shutterstock.

The commercial landscape at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is enjoying a renaissance, with major redevelopments taking place across the terminal estate. Luke Barras-Hill offers an update as the torch is passed to a new duty free operator.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) handled 66.8 million international passengers in 2024, an 8% increase compared with 2023.

Royal Schiphol Group’s 2024 finances revealed an improvement in revenue of +21% to €2,245 million/$2,429 million, driven by a combination of increased airport charges and revenue from concessions, the latter of which jumped 40% to €287m. The acquisition of retailer Kappé in January coupled with the increase in pax at Schiphol and Royal Schiphol Group’s other regional airports helped.

However, average spend per pax on airside retail fell from €13.06 to €12.02, with construction work at Schiphol Lounge 1 having a ‘negative impact on spending’, according to annual figures.

Changing of the guard

For the uninitiated, Lagardère Travel Retail secured the rights to operate in excess of 20 duty free shops at the European hub following a competitive tender last year, taking the reins from long-term incumbent Gebr. Heinemann.

Paris-headquartered Lagardère Travel Retail has taken a 70% share in the company running the business [Schiphol Airport Retail – Ed], with the remaining 30% being held by the airport.

The joint venture led by recently appointed CEO Bruno Gouisset began operations on the night of 30 April into 1 May, with big plans for expanded and redesigned spaces to enhance the retail offer.

Lounge 1 overhaul

Speaking to TRBusiness during a recent on-location visit to mark the inauguration of homegrown Dutch brand Rituals’ Mind Oasis wellbeing concept store at Lounge 1, Arthur Reijnhart, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Schiphol Group, spoke about the wider redevelopment plans across the airport’s commercial estate.

Arthur Reijnhart, CCO, Royal Schiphol Group, and Raymond Cloosterman, Founder & CEO of Rituals Cosmetics (centre right) open the Rituals Mind Oasis at Lounge 1. Image credit: @damon.Rigter/nomadi.studio.

“The opening of this store is one in a series of openings that we have in the total redevelopment of Lounge 1, the biggest lounge in Schiphol.

“We’ve increased the size, modernised the shop offer and redirected flows. The number one task is to reduce the stress levels of passengers.”

Adjacent to the Rituals store, travellers will encounter the largest duty free shop (1,500sq m) at the airport as part of an increased footprint for Lounge 1 that has taken it from 19,000sq m to 24,000sq m. Work on the new Lounge 1 is due to complete by the end of the year.

Reijnhart identified an enhanced duty free, F&B and luxury/experiential commercial experience as levers for future improvement at Schiphol.

Such improvement remains crucial; after years of sharpening its competitive position, Schiphol is now investing in much-needed maintenance, repairs and remedial work throughout its terminals.

Effective 1 May, Lagardère Travel Retail runs the duty free operation at Schiphol Airport under a new joint venture contract. Credit: Jacqueline van Kerkhof/Shutterstock.

“We’ve come from a long period of huge growth but at a cost, I would say,” he said. “There are mandatory maintenance investments and a backlog of repairs to bring our assets back to top class. That has to happen.”

Indeed, the duty free, retail and F&B upgrades will benefit from a phased, store-by-store approach.

“Quality is the name of the game,” said Reijnhart. “The signing of the Lagardère JV agreement is a huge milestone for us. We are bringing together perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, tobacco, sunglasses… all of the core categories into one entity and we will integrate the stores into much better experiences. It is a major change.

“We have 80 bars and restaurants at Schiphol that will all see significant improvement in terms of quality, better price levels and sustainability.”

More luxury to come

In Lounge 2, passengers can look forward to a new Louis Vuitton flagship unit, as new opportunities open up for luxury brands into 2026.

Around 34m Schengen Area passengers use Lounge 1, situated post-security, each year, with 5,000sq m of additional space for passengers flying within Europe. Image credit: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

“For the luxury brands, we are foreseeing multiple, high-quality locations there and the F&B offer will be lifted to something that has not been seen before at Schiphol.

“We are also making drawings on Lounge 3 and Schiphol Plaza, all of that will be redeveloped. In the coming three to five years, you are going to see the complete lounge offer at Schiphol redefined from what it is today.”

The article first appeared in the TRBusiness June/July 2025 ezine. Click here to read.

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