Traveller Socks is rethinking how travellers access its product with vending machines in the boarding area a smart solution.

French travel comfort brand Traveller Socks has launched its first automated airport retail installation at Brest Bretagne Airport, offering passengers access to its progressive-support socks directly from the boarding area.

The new brand has been created around the idea of making travel comfort products available at the point passengers are most likely to need them. Its debut product is a non-medical comfort sock designed for longer journeys, with progressive support intended to help reduce feelings of discomfort and heavy legs during extended periods of sitting.

Designed in Paris and made in Portugal, the cotton-rich socks feature a seamless toe and ergonomic fit and are available in four sizes and several colours. They are also pre-washed, allowing travellers to wear them immediately after purchase.

“We want to make comfort accessible at the exact moment travellers need it, with products that are useful, easy to choose and immediately available before departure,” said Traveller Socks President and Co-Founder Vincent Tamagno.

For its first airport location, the brand has installed a Magex BigStore 9 automated retail unit in the boarding area at Brest Bretagne Airport. The self-service concept offers multiple sizes and colours and features adjustable product trays, an elevator delivery system, a 22-inch touchscreen and contactless purchasing. The screen introduces the brand and product features and helps passengers select the appropriate option, with the purchase process designed to take just seconds.

The Brest installation will act as a real-world pilot, allowing Traveller Socks to monitor purchasing behaviour and gather feedback as it develops both its product assortment and automated retail concept. A special Brittany Edition, inspired by the region, is also available at the airport.

Traveller Socks are priced from €35 per pair, with the Brittany Edition retailing at €39.

Co-Founder Ludovic Nativel, who has worked in support and compression for more than 20 years, said the brand aims to make supportive products easier for travellers to understand and adopt. “Progressive support provides a practical response to the feelings of discomfort that can arise during longer journeys. Our aim is to make this technology more comfortable, more elegant and easier for travellers to adopt,” he said.

Nativel founded the company alongside Tamagno, who has more than 25 years’ experience across sports, retail and marketing, including roles at Nike and Paris Saint-Germain.

The launch represents the first stage of Traveller Socks’ wider expansion plans. The company intends to introduce additional travel comfort products including travel pillows, sleep masks and accessories, while further developing its autonomous retail model.

It also plans to expand across French airports before targeting major international hubs, positioning automated retail as a way of making comfort essentials readily available to passengers immediately before departure.

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