New Relay airport stores have opened in Zagreb and Almaty, enhancing the travel experience for passengers passing through these key airports.
The expansion, part of a strategic partnership between Lagardère Travel Retail and TAV Airports, a member of Groupe ADP, introduces three Relay stores each at Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport in Croatia and Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan.
It expands Relay’s footprint to 30 countries worldwide, solidifying its presence as a leading provider of travel essentials.
The new stores are designed to create a seamless shopping experience for travelers. With an attractive layout and clear customer journey, they combine best-selling travel essentials with locally sourced products, catering to a wide range of traveler needs.
The flexible store design adapts to the unique spaces of each airport, ensuring that customers have easy access to a comprehensive range of products, from magazines and books to snacks and local specialties.
Nathalie Simon, EVP Retail at Lagardère Travel Retail, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with TAV Airports to bring Relay to these new markets. At Relay, we are dedicated to providing advanced convenience to our customers and anticipating travelers’ needs. Our new signature, ‘Relay, What Moves You,’ unveiled earlier this year, reflects our commitment to transforming travel into enjoyable and personalized experiences in an era of fast-paced journeys and ever-changing consumer demands.”
The partnership leverages TAV Airports’ extensive knowledge of local consumer needs, combined with Lagardère Travel Retail’s global expertise in travel retail. The result is a unique offering tailored to each location, creating a more convenient and engaging environment for passengers.
Baha Bülbül, CEO of BTA FOOD & SERVICES, also emphasized the value of this collaboration: “We are excited to expand our offer mix to passengers with the valuable partnership of Lagardère Travel Retail. The new locations in Zagreb and Almaty airports allow us to serve a broader audience and provide travelers with high-quality products and services that meet their needs on the go.”
Zagreb Airport, operated by the MZLZ consortium, has been experiencing significant growth, welcoming 2.4 million passengers in the first seven months of 2024, marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year. This upward trend in passenger traffic highlights the airport’s growing importance as a travel hub in the region, making it an ideal location for the new Relay stores.
Similarly, Almaty Airport, the gateway to Kazakhstan’s economic and cultural capital, saw 6.4 million passengers by the end of July 2024. The airport recently unveiled a new international terminal with a $200 million investment in June, further enhancing its capacity and facilities for international travelers.
As the number one global leader in Travel Essentials, Lagardère Travel Retail operates over 2,500 stores across 31 countries, offering a diverse range of products that cater to every traveler. This latest expansion is a testament to their commitment to growth and providing quality retail experiences across the globe.
