Following its pilot boutique at Montreal Trudeau Airport in Canada, travel retailer Air Rianta International (ARI) has opened another luxury vintage fashion and accessories store at Lisbon Airport called “Preloved – Fashion in Full Circle” .
ARI’s pioneering “preloved” concept opened in Montreal Trudeau in late 2021 at vintage luxury space LXR through a partnership with a Canadian startup. We sell classic luxury fashion brands from Chanel, Dior, Ferragamo, Gucci and Hermès to Louis Vuitton and Prada, as well as more niche luxury brands such as Celine, Fendi and Loewe.
The almost three-year gap between the two openings may suggest that it is difficult to make this type of proposition profitable in an airport environment. Richard Maynes, Global Head of Fashion and Accessories at ARI, commented: “This time-tested and beloved concept is still relatively new to the travel retail industry.”
But he says, “Since launching our first store, the savings compared to downtown prices, as well as rare and vintage styles that are no longer produced, have stimulated a real appetite among customers to purchase our circular concept.” I did,” he added. He believes this type of concept has a lot of life in the travel shopping space, saying, “This is going to have a huge impact and shape the way people shop in the coming years.” Ta.
In its statement about the launch, the Irish airport retailer did not reveal much about the brands or products that will be available for purchase at its new standalone boutique in Lisbon Airport’s Terminal 1. Currently, the focus seems to be on handbags, holdalls, and ties from major brands. In addition to the Louis Vuitton presence, there are also some items from Chanel and Gucci.
The global second-hand goods market is expected to nearly double to $350 billion by 2027, according to fashion reseller thredUP. CEO James Reinhart said of the global market: “Many of the world’s largest retailers are adopting more circular business models, and resale is starting to blossom. We are on a promising trajectory.”
Only a small portion of that huge business is collected through the travel retail channel, but ARI is still getting a head start. Alain Blanc, CEO of Portugal Duty Free, a joint venture of ARI, said: “The shift towards more conscious consumers, aiming to shop more sustainably and taking more consideration into every purchase. can be seen,” he said.
The Irish retailer has been awarded the airport retail contract in early 2022, entering into a joint retail partnership with ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (ANA), part of Lisbon Airport operator Vinci Airports. were invited to connect. At the time, the company was already talking about adding vintage merchandise to the 100,000 square feet of retail space it took over.
Blanc added: “We know our customers are looking for limited edition and unique products, and this product provides that one-off experience with a touch of luxury at a more affordable price point. It will be,” he added.
More cruise ships with vintage concepts
Another travel retailer that has successfully introduced vintage experiences is Starboard Cruise Services, which is on board some of the ships it operates. For example, on ships like Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, the retailer has partnered with New York-based What Goes Around Comes Around to offer a balanced collection of premium resale bags and accessories.
WGACA was founded in 1993 by Syracuse University graduates Seth Weisser and Gerald Maione, and in addition to its online presence, it now has three stores on Wooster Street and SoHo in New York. and Brighton Way in Beverly Hills.
Most recently, in an effort to capture more of the luxury travel market in its stores, WGACA created vacation-ready attire, from statement holiday travel bags and sunglasses to Hawaiian shirts, through its “Resort Edit.” Did. Vintage items include Chanel’s striped jersey Coco Sailor flap ($6,500); Fendi’s large peekaboo raffia bag ($3,950) and raffia, snakeskin-trimmed Gucci Ophidia mini crossbody bag ($1,150).
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