Cannes_2026_MONDAY_ISSUE_DIGITAL

O ver the past three years, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has renewed nearly 6,500 sqm of its retail offer – a major transformation. Its ambition is to offer every category of passenger a unique, surprising and innovative travel experience. This renewal notably includes the expansion of two walk-through duty free stores in Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the creation of a new duty free in the international zone of Terminal 2. “It also allowed us to expand our historic Hermès boutique and further develop our overall offer,” explains Candice Cadreils, Director of the Commercial Business Unit, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur. “Today, this new offer mirrors an exceptional destination where French savoir-faire and luxury come together. Departing from or arriving in Nice should not feel like any ordinary journey. We have succeeded in attracting and retaining iconic brands representing French excellence that travellers won’t find at any other airport.” Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is located in one of the most desirable regions in the world, as the airport of the French Riviera and Monaco. Showcasing local products is therefore essential to giving its passengers a final touch of authenticity before departure and helping them carry lasting memories of their time in the region. “This is why we ask our partners to deliver an offer with a strong sense of place,” says Cadreils. “At the same time, we do not overlook the need Nice Airport transforms its retail offer with a strong sense of place to reassure our international passengers with the presence of major globally recognised brands. It is this balance between local roots and international reach that gives richness to our retail mix.” This spring, the airport inaugurated an extension of Terminal 2, marking a new step in its commitment to delivering an outstanding passenger experience. Beyond increasing operational capacity, this development enhances comfort, fluidity and service quality throughout the journey. “Combined with the continued growth of air connectivity and the attractiveness of the French Riviera, these improvements support the long-term development of our commercial ecosystem and retail offer,” Cadreils shares. “But our development strategy is not limited to expanding terminal space: we also make ephemeral spaces available to brands. These pop-ups are genuine visibility accelerators for travel retail players and contribute to the dynamism of our commercial offer. Nice Airport is therefore the ideal place to trial or unveil a new product, and to deploy a highly visual pop-up concept at the heart of terminals where footfall and passenger profiles are of exceptional quality.” Digital innovation meets experiential retail Innovation is at the heart of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport’s retail strategy. Its ambition is to deliver a seamless, service-oriented omnichannel experience throughout the passenger journey. This vision has taken shape with the launch of Nice Airport Shopping (shop.nice.aeroport.fr) , a newmarketplace dedicated to travel retail. “Passengers can already order online and benefit from free delivery to the VIP lounge or directly to the boarding gate, for a more convenient and personalised experience,” Cadreils explains. “This platformmarks the first step of a broader digital ecosystem that will ultimately bring together retail, catering, airport services and partners within a single, unified journey.” Experiential elements are also central to the airport’s retail strategy. Engagement lies at the heart of the approach. “Our clientele is cosmopolitan, discerning, and highly receptive to strong brand signatures,” says Cadreils. “We encourage brands to deploy immersive activations: sensory or artistic installations, storytelling around craftsmanship, personalisation, and more.” Cadreils adds that the airport’s participation at TFWA World Exhibition & Conference serves three key objectives. “First and foremost, it is a privileged opportunity to meet our partners and the brands already present at our platform, and to exchange views on our respective activities in a spirit of co-creation. It is also a chance to discover new brands and gain insight into emerging market trends, allowing us to continuously evolve our offer. Finally, we place great importance on the conferences and workshops held during the event, which help us broaden our perspective on travel retail and inform our strategic thinking.” Candice Cadreils, Director of the Commercial Business Unit, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur: “Beyond the purchase itself, our ambition is to turn every passenger into a true brand ambassador. This means designing experiences that are Instagrammable and TikTokable – striking visual settings, moments of surprise, experiences that people want to share and talk about. It is this alchemy between the Riviera’s sense of place, a demand for excellence and a desire to surprise that makes Nice Côte d’Azur Airport a unique platform for experiential travel retail.” Over the past three years, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has renewed nearly 6,500 sqm of its retail offer – a major transformation. Its ambition is to offer every category of passenger a unique, surprising and innovative travel experience. Monday 28 September 2026 20 T F W A D A I L Y