Strong Europe sales lift Lagardère Travel Retail’s full-year revenues

Lagardère Travel Retail’s proprietary café brands include So! Coffee (pictured) and 1Minute Café | Photo credit: Lagardère Travel Retail

Lagardère Travel Retail has credited strong sales in France and the wider Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region as driving its strong full-year revenues.  
 

The Paris-based operator, which trades in the duty free, travel essential and foodservice segments, achieved 15.8% year-on-year sales growth in the 12 months ended 31 December 2024 to reach €5.8bn ($6bn). The group’s EBITA increased 7% to €258m ($270m) while recurring EBIT grew 24% to surpass €300m ($314m) for the first time. 

In France, Lagardère Travel Retail’s sales grew 15% driven by an increase in passenger numbers and a strong performance from its Extime Duty Free Paris joint venture with Groupe ADP. 

Lagardère Travel Retail’s EMEA region, excluding France, recorded 20% year-on-year sales growth following strong footfall, store modernisations and new contract wins in Italy, Romania, the UK and Spain. 

In the Americas, Lagardère Travel Retail posted 6% year-on-year sales growth while revenues in Asia-Pacific declined 13%, which the operator attributed to an economic slowdown in China, store closures and contract expirations. 

In an investor presentation, Lagardère Travel Retail reported modest growth for its foodservice segment, which operates over 1,600 foodservice outlets in 150 airports and 97 train stations across 30 markets. 
 

The division, which includes its proprietary 1Minute Café and So! Coffee brands alongside licensed Costa Coffee, EL&N, Pret A Manger and Starbucks stores, increased group sales share 2% during the year and now contributes 29% of Lagardère Travel Retail’s total sales.  

Duty Free and Fashion and Travel Essentials contribute the majority of Lagardère Travel Retail’s revenue, at 38% and 33% respectively.