Travel retailer Unifree Duty Free has introduced self-checkouts at its Istanbul Airport departures stores, a first-of-its-kind development in Turkey.

The self-checkouts offer shoppers step-by-step guidance to ensure a smooth transaction, Unifree said.

Steps in the check-out process include flight ticket scanning and passport verification, and takes a few minutes to complete. 

Unifree added that the move reduced the environmental impact of operations.

‘’As Unifree Duty Free we are always looking for opportunities to enhance the passenger experience and to offer quick and innovative alternatives for our passengers during their visit,” said Ceren Tonguç, Unifree Duty Free Chief Commercial Officer.

“We are happy to see that with these self-checkout kiosks travellers will enjoy a more interactive and hassle-free shopping.

“We are waiting for you at Unifree Duty Free stores for thousands of brands, tens of thousands of product types, a quality service, and a unique shopping experience.”

The sustainability claims around self-checkouts are in line with broader eco gains at Istanbul Airport.

In its recently released 2021-22 Sustainability Report, the airport posted a 21% fall in carbon emissions versus a 2019 baseline.

Istanbul Airport said it expects its Scope 1 and 2 emissions to be cut by 23% by 2025.

Reclaimed water met 35% of its water consumption in 2022, while its solid waste recycling ratio increased by 31% to 34%.

Other year-on-year gains included energy consumption per passenger falling to 3.63kwh/passenger, from 5.67kwh/passenger.

Its wider plan to become a net-zero operation by 2050 is in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, it added.

Last month, Unifree Duty Free and Gebr. Heinemann hosted a L’Oréal-owned Yves Saint Laurent Beauty pop-up for its new refillable men’s fragrance MYSLF at Istanbul Airport.