You may have noticed in recent years more luxury names on the duty-free boutiques that line aisles at international airports; it’s a trend that has led some airports to develop whole special ‘streets of them’ for high-end travelers looking for a (relative) bargain.
At London’s Heathrow, there’s even a ‘personal shopper’ service to guide its richest travelers through what has become one of London’s ritziest shopping districts, filled with items you wouldn’t find at Boots or WH Smith. Prada bags selling for five figures, and goods from such names as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Smythson, Cartier, Dior, Fendi Bulgari, Rolex and Saint Laurent.
Each of the three terminals has the personal shopping service, and each has an invitation-only private lounge for the customers, offering complimentary glasses of champagne, relaxing decor and attentive staff. The staff, who help clients find their preferred luxuries, serve three clients a day each.
If this all seems a bit excessive (it certainly does!) it pays off well for the luxury goods companies because even the uber-wealthy of the world are tuned into tax-free bargains, maybe even more so than the rest of us. And airports? Heathrow brings about 150,000 outbound passengers a day with little to do while waiting for their planes, so…
