See, buy, fly! Savvy retailers have made their goods available to be browsed and purchased at airports around the world, offering desirable items at tempting tax-free prices. Duty-free shopping debuted in 1947 at Ireland’s Shannon Airport, providing travellers with access to untaxed tobacco and alcohol. Today, with millions of people finding themselves with hours to kill before or between flights, the duty-free retain industry has evolved into a $37 billion global industry.
Dubai International Airport
The winner of over 250 awards in the retail industry, Dubai Duty Free has become one of the most lucrative duty-free shops on the planet. In 2012 alone, Dubai Duty Free performed an incredible 23.5 million transactions, averaging 64,300 per day in it’s 26,000 square metres of space. Apparently delighted with the ironic placement of one of the world’s largest selections of spirits in a country where alcohol is often criminalized, travellers passing through Dubai International purchase over 15 million bottles per year.
Heathrow Airport – London
Providing anything a traveller could ever need with emphasis on fragrance and fashion, the 48,000 square metres of retail space in London’s Heathrow Airport sprawls across five terminals. Everything from skin-care products and tasty treats to books, booze and British memorabilia can be found throughout the airport, but those who seek significant savings on designer items head to Terminals 3 and 5. Terminal 3 hosts globally recognized designers such as Armani, Cartier and Gucci as well as some of Chanel’s most rare and exclusive perfumes. Those who seek the best in British fashion and craftsmanship will find Links of London, Paul Smith and Smythson among the offerings of Terminal 5.

Charles de Gaulle – Paris
Paris has cultivated a reputation of class and sophistication and those who visit the “City of Lights” can never seem to get enough. The duty-free shops at Charles de Gaulle offer tasty French delicacies and luscious lines of skin-care products and cosmetics. Of course, the best savings to be had in duty-free facilities are on the most heavily taxed items, so smart shoppers wait until they reach the airport to splurge on fine wines or a bottle of Courvoisier.
Chek Lap Kok – Hong Kong
Some of the world’s best shopping can be found in Hong Kong and the duty-free shops of Chek Lap Kok Airport are no exception. This airport offers the impressive variety of electronics, cosmetics and other consumer goods that travellers expect to see during a visit to Hong Kong and match prices with retail outlets throughout the city. Quality items are available in every price range and shopping can be done both in person and online prior to arrival.
Incheon – Seoul
After Dubai and Heathrow, Incheon serves as the world’s third-largest duty-free shopping facility. Along with the usual savings on alcohol and cigarettes, shoppers at Incheon will find that the stars of the South Korean skies are cosmetics and fragrances. This airport offers several beauty lines that are exclusive to the country, and features the world’s only duty-free Louis Vuitton boutique.
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Written by Kyla Houston
Kyla prides herself as a frugal mom and a smart shopping queen. She loves to stock up on cheap duty free beauty products when she travels. She also loves spotting good deals from Kmart catalogue for cheap products that work as good as the high-end brands.