Airports attracting big brands

With modernization various airports have become attractive destination for retailing lifestyle brands.

Well known brands including Swarovski, Hidesign and Satya Paul are now rushing to set up outlets to tap the rising air traffic volume. Airports are one of the most promising sectors for retail development in the country. Today, every premium brand is keen on participating in an airport’s retail zone, primarily because there has been a transformation in major airports. Thousands of high-net worth passengers move through airports everyday and retailers are eager to grab their attention by promising them shopping destinations which stock goods of reputed quality and have an inviting and relaxed ambience.

Among the top destinations for retailers are the international airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Increased passenger spending is encouraging retailers to focus on airports. Swarovski, known for high quality and brilliant crystals, currently has retail outlets at the Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi airports. It plans to add more outlets at the capital’s airport apart from targeting others, including Bangalore. Retail counters at airports enhance a brand’s visibility though by definition such a brand is likely to be at the premium end and one with a considerable snob value. More importantly, presence at an airport guarantees a steady stream of the customer traffic it precisely targets.