How often do you shop in the airport terminal?
Nov 21, 2009, 12:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,633
You know... I'm curious what you're doing.
I'll bite and I'm happy to answer, because I have an answer and an opinion, but it sounds to me like you are either thinking about starting an airport related business or doing market research commercially.
If it's the former, I think it'd be nice to tell us, and if it's the latter, I think there might even be a policy to disclose it.
Whatever it is...I've been curious.
Anyway, to answer the question, I've always been amazed at the shops that manage to stay open in airline terminals. I wonder if it's not either a prestige thing, or that there are transit passengers from obscure places who really do see it as an opportunity to get their hands on brands that are hard to find or heavily dutied where they are from.
Regardless, I never buy anything more than newspapers, beverages and perhaps the occasional paperback.
I'd be interested in hearing if others shope more, but I would bet that most FTers are more like me than whoever is keeping the Ferragamo shop open at CDG.
I'll bite and I'm happy to answer, because I have an answer and an opinion, but it sounds to me like you are either thinking about starting an airport related business or doing market research commercially.
If it's the former, I think it'd be nice to tell us, and if it's the latter, I think there might even be a policy to disclose it.
Whatever it is...I've been curious.
Anyway, to answer the question, I've always been amazed at the shops that manage to stay open in airline terminals. I wonder if it's not either a prestige thing, or that there are transit passengers from obscure places who really do see it as an opportunity to get their hands on brands that are hard to find or heavily dutied where they are from.
Regardless, I never buy anything more than newspapers, beverages and perhaps the occasional paperback.
I'd be interested in hearing if others shope more, but I would bet that most FTers are more like me than whoever is keeping the Ferragamo shop open at CDG.
Nov 21, 2009, 12:17 pm
#3
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
Every time I fly I pick up a magazine. Every time my husband flies, he picks up a couple of packs of M&M's. That is the extent of our airport shopping.
Nov 21, 2009, 1:10 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CHC
Programs: UA, DL, AA, BD, NZ, QF, DJ, RCC, SPG, Priority Club, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,231
My purchases at the airport are pretty much limited to magazines also. On occasion I will pick up a souvenir for my nieces or purchase duty free on behalf of someone else, but that's about it.
Nov 21, 2009, 1:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 148
I buy bottled water, sometimes food, coffee, or a magazine.
Do you know what I wish I could buy? All the liquids & gels I can't get through TSA. The only reason I ever check a bag is because of the liquids. If airports had full-scale drugstores, I could carry on my luggage and buy my preferred brand of shampoo/hair gel/lotion/etc. at my destination before leaving the airport. I would do that all the time.
Do you know what I wish I could buy? All the liquids & gels I can't get through TSA. The only reason I ever check a bag is because of the liquids. If airports had full-scale drugstores, I could carry on my luggage and buy my preferred brand of shampoo/hair gel/lotion/etc. at my destination before leaving the airport. I would do that all the time.
Nov 21, 2009, 2:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 842
I usually buy breakfast if I'm flying in the morning. It seems to be impossible to find a decent bagel & cream cheese unless there's an ABP around. Most airport bagels have the texture of a sponge and seem like they wouldn't be stale if you left them out for a month. If I'm delayed for a long time or have a long layover, I'll grab a drink and snack.
I bought DVDs at PIT a couple of times, but they were insanely expensive.
I bought DVDs at PIT a couple of times, but they were insanely expensive.
Nov 21, 2009, 3:27 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Hasn't this been asked not too long ago? I guess it's not the same question, but the answers are probably going to be similar.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-airports.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-airports.html
Nov 21, 2009, 3:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Do you know what I wish I could buy? All the liquids & gels I can't get through TSA. The only reason I ever check a bag is because of the liquids. If airports had full-scale drugstores, I could carry on my luggage and buy my preferred brand of shampoo/hair gel/lotion/etc. at my destination before leaving the airport. I would do that all the time.
Nov 21, 2009, 4:18 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,081
As little as possible. It annoys the heck out of me that my transit from the "security" lines to my gate is lengthened by the long expanses of retail spaces. I have no desire to shop in airports. If at all possible I bring food in (from home or from outside the airport) because it's easier to get good, healthy food at reasonable prices on the outside. I spend as much time as possible in airport lounges when I have a long wait.
If duty-free liquor prices are reasonable I pick up some scotch or gin. That's it.
If duty-free liquor prices are reasonable I pick up some scotch or gin. That's it.
Nov 21, 2009, 4:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 177
Chocky-bits
...for the F/As---if I haven't managed to pick up some truffles elsewhere, first.
I suppose you could say the few drinks we buy in the RCC might also qualify.
Otherwise airport shop shopping, for any commodity, is not on the radar.
I suppose you could say the few drinks we buy in the RCC might also qualify.
Otherwise airport shop shopping, for any commodity, is not on the radar.
Nov 21, 2009, 4:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ANC
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 148
I have a horrible track record with lost luggage -- on my last business trip it was lost twice, in 3 days, by 2 different carriers. It's really stressful. The bottom line is that there are lots of situations where I'd rather burn $40 on toiletries even if I wasted some of them, rather than risk not having my luggage with me at my destination.
Being able to buy half-size bottles at the airport would be ideal, but unfortunately they don't sell those in most of the products I use.
Nov 21, 2009, 5:19 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wild Wiltshire
Programs: Demoted to gold, Cats protection
Posts: 3,455
Bought a really cool welded metal bat (as in halloween) in PHX, other than that I dont really shop, maybe malt whisky for my husband if I am feeling guilty about a trip, a socket converter but thats it in the last year
Nov 21, 2009, 5:25 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
I make it a point to walk through the duty-free alcohol. Sometimes there's a sale which makes it really, really cheap. Like the time I picked up a 70 cl bottle of Hennessy XO for 40 quid. ^
Also, I look through some airport boutiques. There are sometimes significant sales there, too. eg. HKG Gucci boutique, 50% off all ties (Hermes was less forgiving.
)
Also, I look through some airport boutiques. There are sometimes significant sales there, too. eg. HKG Gucci boutique, 50% off all ties (Hermes was less forgiving.
)