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I ndia’s travel retail market is on the brink of extraordinary growth, fuelled by an aviation sector that has nearly doubled over the past decade, and an increasingly affluent middle class eager to spend. Tomorrow afternoon’s TFWA Workshop – ‘Market Watch: India’ will hear from prominent global consulting firm Kearney, represented by Victor Dijon, Senior Partner, and Neelesh Hundekari, Senior Partner, who “India’s travel retai l market could tr ipl e by 2030 , wi th growth of retai l outpac ing ai r passenger volume” Victor Dijon, Senior Partner, Kearney NeeleshHundekari, Senior Partner, Kearney will provide data-driven insights and strategic viewpoints on successfully navigating this complex yet lucrative market. “The Indian travel retail market is poised for take-off, the time to board for brands, retailers and operators is now,” Dijon and Hundekari explain. “Massive infrastructure investments, airline expansions, and significant growth in international and domestic traveller numbers make now the moment to act. While travel retail in India won’t rival China in size, the growth momentum creates promising opportunities for airport operators, retailers, and brands – especially in tier-1 and tier-2 cities.” The Kearney case study combines traffic and retail data with more than 20 in-depth interviews across airports, retailers, and global brands – offering a holistic view of India’s travel retail landscape. “India’s travel retail market could triple by 2030, with growth of retail outpacing air passenger volume, as both domestic and international hubs are evolving fast,” Dijon and Hundekari comment. “Retailers are upgrading from transactional to premium experiences, while brands tap into new consumer segments T omorrow afternoon’s TFWA Workshop – ‘Market Watch: India’ will feature Ashish Chopra, CEO, Delhi Duty Free, who will highlight India’s evolving traveller profile, the sheer scale of opportunity from the rising middle class, and the importance of customised retail experiences. “India’s outbound and inbound travel is not just growing – it’s transforming,” says Chopra. “We’ll discuss how data-led personalisation, premiumisation, value perception, and brand discovery are driving purchase intent like never before in Indian travel retail. India is not just a market to watch – it’s a market to engage, invest, and innovate in. Travel retail in India stands at a tipping point of transformative growth.” The new Indian consumer is value- conscious yet aspirational. “They seek global quality with local relevance,” Chopra explains. “This group will define the next “ India i s not just a market to watch – i t ’ s a market to engage , invest , and innovate in” Ashish Chopra, CEO, Delhi Duty Free: “India is not just amarket towatch – it’s amarket to engage, invest, and innovate in. Travel retail in India stands at a tipping point of transformative growth.” decade of travel retail growth. Our strategy focuses on making premium accessible – through curated price points, multi-brand bundles, and digital-first engagement. India’s middle-class is not just a volume market – it is a value market in transition. India’s middle-class sheer volume is unmatched market potential. They represent the next wave of travel retail growth, blending scale, aspiration, and a hunger for global brands and elevated experiences.” Chopra is eager to share more in tomorrow workshop, emphasising the opportunity to share the India story with the global travel retail community, while learning from the innovations happening across the region. “TFWA is a powerful platform – and I look forward to strengthening brand partnerships, collaborations, and reinforcing Delhi Duty Free’s position as the gateway to India’s retail evolution.” beyond traditional duty-free categories.” They are thrilled to turn the spotlight on India in tomorrow’s workshop. “The pace of transformation is unmatched, and the energy we’re seeing in 1:1 conversation signals real readiness to act. We look forward to building on these dialogues at the exhibition, learning from innovations across APAC, and deepening our shared commitment to shaping the future of Indian travel retail.” Monday 12 May 2025 14 T F W A D A I L Y