Report Overview

Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2030

The Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market size was estimated at USD 3.73 billion in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.06% reaching a value of USD 5.68 billion by 2030. A prominent driver of the market is the increasing number of tourists visiting the UAE, especially Dubai, and the wide variety of products available to them. The growing influx of international travelers has resulted in increasing revenues for the travel retail market. During the historical period, there were numerous new product and brand launches, which boosted revenue generation. Also, the popularity of the UAE, particularly Dubai, as a prime luxury travel destination for international visitors, leading to its reputation as a shopping haven is expected to boost the expansion of the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market. Duty-free retail spaces at major airports like Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport further play a significant role in supporting the travel retail market due to high demand for duty-free goods. Notably, the Middle East's strategic geographic position, linking all corners of the globe, is further aiding the market's expansion by attracting more shoppers.

Travel Retail – Overview

Travel retail refers to the sale of goods and services to travelers in transit locations, such as airports, cruise ships, border crossings, and international train stations. These outlets typically offer a variety of products, including cosmetics, perfumes, alcohol, tobacco, luxury items, electronics, and souvenirs. One notable aspect of travel retail is the provision of duty-free shopping, allowing travelers to purchase items without paying certain local taxes or duties, thereby often offering them at lower prices compared to retail stores elsewhere.

Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market

Growth Drivers

Further Development of Travel Infrastructure

Major countries in the Middle East have made significant investments in travel infrastructure, which has positively impacted the travel retail market. Airports like Dubai International (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International are continuously expanding, providing additional retail space and facilities that attract travelers. The travel infrastructure development, including airports, fosters competition among international hubs, driving innovations and encouraging retailers to create unique concepts to meet the diverse needs of travelers.

Increasing Availability of Various Production Categories

Expansion of Travel Retail Market is closely tied to increasing availability of wide array of products, driven by rising demand from travelers. Across the Middle East, airports are modernizing and expanding to accommodate growing passenger traffic and offer enhanced retail experiences. Dubai Duty Free, a leader in the region, has been investing in major refurbishment projects, adding more retail space, and updating existing shops. Abu Dhabi's new Terminal A and expansions at Doha's Hamad International are prime examples of airports that have increased production capacity to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding market, ensuring a broader selection of products and more seamless shopping experiences for travelers.

Shifting Consumer Preferences

Consumer preferences in the Middle East are evolving, with a shift toward personalized and customized products. Brands like Shiseido have noted a preference for niche ingredients and unique beauty solutions among Middle Eastern consumers, particularly Chinese travelers. The emphasis on customization and a diverse product portfolio, including premium fragrance collections and skincare, reflects these shifting preferences. The agility to adapt to these trends is crucial for success in the dynamic Travel Retail Market.

Challenges

High Operating Costs

High operating costs are a significant restraint for the growth of the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market. Increasing expenses related to labor, logistics, and compliance with regulatory requirements contribute to these costs. Additionally, infrastructure investments and technology upgrades add financial pressure, impacting profitability. These costs may limit market expansion and deter new entrants. As a result, travel retail operators must navigate a delicate balance between providing premium retail experiences and managing operational expenses to remain competitive in the dynamic Travel Retail Market.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market

Geopolitical tensions can have a multifaceted impact on the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market, creating challenges due to changing consumer sentiment. Despite this, the UAE and Saudi Arabia remain bright spots, driven by robust GDP and tourism growth. The current geopolitical climate has caused some retailers to face setbacks, with layoffs and consumer boycotts affecting operations. However, the outlook remains positive for the future. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are crucial markets due to their rapid population growth and youthful demographic. To mitigate the impact of escalating geopolitical tensions, brands implement neutral awareness schemes. Dubai, as an open market, welcomes all brands, but those associated with specific political views risk losing consumer trust. Retailers remain adaptable and responsive to these challenges to succeed in the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market.

Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market

Segmental Coverage

Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market – By Product Type

By product type, the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market is divided into Fashion & Accessories, Jewelry & Accessories, Wine & Spirit, Food & Confectionery, Fragrances & Cosmetics, and Tobacco segments. The fragrances & cosmetics segment holds the highest share in the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market by product type. It can be attributed to its broad appeal and high profit margins. The segment attracts a wide range of consumers, from international travelers to local buyers, seeking premium and luxury products at competitive prices. Duty-free zones in major airports and retail hubs contribute significantly to this segment's success, offering exclusive products and enticing promotions. The combination of strong brand presence, continuous product innovation, and effective marketing strategies has established fragrances and cosmetics as the leading product type in the Travel Retail Market.

Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market – By Sector

Based on sector, the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market is bifurcated into Duty Free and Duty Paid segments. The duty-free sector holds a higher share in the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market. It is primarily driven by airport expansions, government initiatives, and a focus on convenience and personalization. New infrastructure projects, like Tunisia's upcoming international airport in Tunis (due by 2030) and Abu Dhabi International Airport's new terminal, are expected to boost duty-free sales. Retailers are providing enhanced shopping experience with initiatives like Dubai Duty Free's acceptance of digital currencies, improved online retail, and expanded home delivery services. Also, visually appealing storefronts, immersive experiences, multi-sensory trials, and omnichannel marketing campaigns aim to attract consumers to physical stores, further driving growth in the Middle East & Africa duty-free market.

Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market – By Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channel, the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market is divided into Airport & Airline Shops, Seaport & Cruise Line Shops, and Border Downtown Hotel Shop segments. The airport & airline shops segment holds the highest share in the Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market by distribution channel. It is primarily due to their strategic location and high traffic volume. Airports serve as major transit hubs, attracting a diverse range of international travelers, which creates a substantial customer base for duty-free and travel retail. The convenience of shopping while waiting for flights, along with a wide array of products, contributes to this segment's appeal. Additionally, airports in the MEA region are investing in expanding and upgrading their retail spaces, further enhancing the shopping experience and driving sales in the travel retail market.

Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market – By Region

The in-depth research report on the Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market covers the market in the region’s major countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, and Rest of MEA. The UAE holds the highest share in the Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Dubai, in particular, is a leading airport for international traffic, offering luxurious facilities and an extensive product selection, which consistently attracts more customers each year. These international hubs draw a considerable number of global shoppers, contributing to market growth. For example, Dubai is the third busiest airport in EMEA for Chinese passengers, and the number of Chinese travelers to Doha has seen substantial growth during the period in analysis.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market include Aer Rianta International Middle East, Chalhoub Group, Abu Dhabi Duty Free, Lagardere Travel Retail, Dubai Duty Free, Bahrain Duty Free, Big Five Duty Free, Beirut Duty Free, Hamila Duty Free, and Kreol Travel Retail. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In March 2024 - Kreol Travel Retail launched travel retail-exclusive Pringles packs at Muscat Airport Duty Free in Oman, catering to the needs of snacking travelers. ThroughtThe collaboration with Muscat Duty Free, Kreol Travel Retail aims to expand its product range and boost the salty snack category.

• In July 2023 - Hanse Distribution Ltd and L’Oréal Travel Retail signed an agreement that allows Hanse to distribute L’Oréal products to selected airlines in the Middle East and Africa.

Scope of the Report

By Product Type

• Fashion & Accessories

• Jewelry & Accessories

• Wine & Spirit

• Food & Confectionery

• Fragrances & Cosmetics

• Tobacco

By Distribution Channel

• Airport & Airline Shops

• Seaport & Cruise Line Shops

• Border Downtown Hotel Shop

By Sector

• Duty Free

• Duty Paid

By Region

• Saudi Arabia

• UAE

• Qatar

• Kuwait

• South Africa

• Nigeria

• Algeria

• Rest of MEA

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3.  Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Rising disposable incomes
         2. Increasing production capacity
         3. Development of travel infrastructure
         4. Shifting consumer preferences
      2. Restraints
         1. Fluctuations in oil prices
         2. High operating costs
         3. Competition from online retailers
      3. Opportunities
         1. Expansion of airport retail space
         2. Focus on omnichannel retailing
         3. Increasing personalization and customization
      4. Challenges
         1. Evolving consumer behavior
         2. Fluctuations in exchange rates
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market: Marketing Strategies
5. Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market: Pricing Analysis
6. Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share and Forecast
      1. By Product Type
         1. Fashion & Accessories
         2. Jewelry & Watches
         3. Wine & Spirits
         4. Food & Confectionery
         5. Fragrances & Cosmetics
         6. Tobacco
         7. Others (Stationery, Electronics, etc.)
      2. By Sector
         1. Duty Free
         2. Duty Paid
      3. By Distribution Channel
         1. Airport & Airline Shops
         2. Seaport & Cruise Line Shops
         3. Border Downtown Hotel Shop
         4. Others
      4. By Country
         1. Saudi Arabia
         2. UAE
         3. Qatar
         4. Kuwait
         5. South Africa
         6. Nigeria
         7. Algeria
         8. Rest of MEA
7. Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Product Type
      2. By Sector
      3. By Distribution Channel
8. UAE Travel Retail Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Product Type
      2. By Sector
      3. By Distribution Channel
9. Qatar Travel Retail Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Product Type
      2. By Sector
      3. By Distribution Channel
10. Kuwait Travel Retail Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Product Type
       2. By Sector
       3. By Distribution Channel
11. South Africa Travel Retail Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Product Type
       2. By Sector
       3. By Distribution Channel
12. Nigeria Travel Retail Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Product Type
       2. By Sector
       3. By Distribution Channel
13. Algeria Travel Retail Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Product Type
       2. By Sector
       3. By Distribution Channel
14. Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Product Type
       2. By Sector
       3. By Distribution Channel
15. Competitive Landscape
    1. List of Key Players and Their Offerings
    2. Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market Share Analysis, 2023
    3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
    4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships, etc.)
16. Impact of Geopolitical Tensions on Middle East and Africa Travel Retail Market
17. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, and SWOT Analysis)
    1. Aer Rianta International Middle East
    2. Chalhoub group
    3. Abu Dhabi Duty Free
    4. Lagardere Travel Retail
    5. Dubai Duty Free
    6. Bahrain Duty Free
    7. Big Five Duty Free
    8. Beirut Duty Free
    9. Hamila Duty Free
    10. Kreol Travel Retail
    11. Other Prominent Players
18. Key Strategic Recommendations
19. Research Methodology
    1.   Qualitative Research
       1.  Primary & Secondary Research
    2.   Quantitative Research
    3.   Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1.  Secondary Research
       2.  Primary Research
    4.   Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents, By Region
    5.   Assumptions & Limitations

*Financial information of non-listed companies can be provided as per availability.

**The segmentation and the companies are subject to modifications based on in-depth secondary research for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1       Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 2       Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 3       Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 4       Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 5       Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Country, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 6       Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 7       Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 8       Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 9       Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 10     UAE Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 11     UAE Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 12     UAE Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 13     UAE Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 14     Qatar Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 15     Qatar Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 16     Qatar Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 17     Qatar Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 18     Kuwait Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 19     Kuwait Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 20     Kuwait Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 21     Kuwait Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 22     South Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 23     South Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 24     South Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 25     South Africa Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 26     Nigeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 27     Nigeria Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 28     Nigeria Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 29     Nigeria Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 30     Algeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 31     Algeria Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 32     Algeria Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 33     Algeria Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 34     Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 35     Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Share, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 36     Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Share, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 37     Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Share, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

List of Tables

Table 1     Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 2     Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 3     Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 4 Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 5 Middle East & Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Country, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 6 Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 7    Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 8     Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 9 Saudi Arabia Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 10      UAE Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 11      UAE Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 12      UAE Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 13      UAE Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 14      Qatar Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 15      Qatar Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 16      Qatar Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 17      Qatar Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 18      Kuwait Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 19      Kuwait Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 20      Kuwait Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 21      Kuwait Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 22      South Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 23      South Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 24      South Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 25      South Africa Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 26      Nigeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 27      Nigeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 28      Nigeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 29      Nigeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 30      Algeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 31      Algeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 32      Algeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 33      Algeria Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 34      Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 35      Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Size, By Product Type, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 36      Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Size, By Sector, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 37      Rest of MEA Travel Retail Market Size, By Distribution Channel, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 38      Aer Rianta International Middle East Company Overview

Table 39      Aer Rianta International Middle East Financial Overview

Table 40      Chalhoub group Company Overview

Table 41      Chalhoub group Financial Overview

Table 42      Abu Dhabi Duty Free Company Overview

Table 43      Abu Dhabi Duty Free Financial Overview

Table 44      Lagardere Travel Retail Company Overview

Table 45      Lagardere Travel Retail Financial Overview

Table 46      Dubai Duty Free Company Overview

Table 47      Dubai Duty Free Financial Overview

Table 48      Bahrain Duty Free Company Overview

Table 49      Bahrain Duty Free Financial Overview

Table 50      Big Five Duty Free Company Overview

Table 51      Big Five Duty Free Financial Overview

Table 52      Beirut Duty Free Company Overview

Table 53      Beirut Duty Free Financial Overview

Table 54      Hamila Duty Free Company Overview

Table 55      Hamila Duty Free Financial Overview

Table 56      Kreol Travel Retail Company Overview

Table 57      Kreol Travel Retail Financial Overview