a European perspective
 

Over here in Europe, many grocery store chains (e.g. SPAR, Billa) have stores in the arrivals level of airports and everyone of them are packed:
- passengers buying food to carry on board;
- employees shopping;
- Airbnb clients (that's me!)
IMO, they face fewer restrictions on operating hours than their downtown locations. Prices are comparable. I have personally witnessed this in TXL & VIE. An exciting development!

+1

I've only frequented WH Smiths at airports and practically no place else, as they are the only store that happen to carry all sorts of things one may forgot to bring, despite being so much pricier than the high street.

Additionally, I've found it to be the case that WH Smiths have been opening up stores at Indonesian airports like Jakarta and Bali, but not in the city itself, which says a thing or two about their strategy (with reputation/brand name among foreign travellers).

The Brooks Brothers at RDU just closed after being open for seven years. In all my time using RDU I bought only a single pair of socks there (for $18...ugh).

Back in the day I used to buy a fair amount of clothing at LHR T4, when it was BA's terminal, and also T5. They had some brands there that I don't have at home, and I was often flying through at clearance sale times (yes, airport shops have clearance sales!). I bought Bally shoes, quite a few things from Reiss and Escada, some Paul Smith, some Harrod's, etc. The prices were quite reasonable for those brands, considering the duty-free aspect as well as the sales.

I guess I am one of those people who keeps the clothing stores open at the airports, at least at Heathrow :D. I often buy clothing at airports possibly out of boredom of waiting.

Also reminds me of one time when the soles came of my sneakers, and I had to purchase a pair from Bally :p

I agree- easier to get exactly the food you want. I haven't been to Zurich since I retired 4 years ago but they also had a grocery store at ZRH.

I don't think I've ever bought clothes, watches, jewelry, etc. at airports. Will buy alcohol if the price is right, food and things to read, but that's about it. If I have access to a good airline lounge I don't buy food or alcohol outside the lounge, either!