Exciting Expansion: Frankfurt Airport's New Retail Haven in Terminal 3
Retail expansion at Frankfurt's new terminal with 64 outlets, featuring brands such as BOSS, Montblanc, and Gatezero.
Get ready, shopaholics! Frankfurt Airport's long-awaited Terminal 3 is gearing up for a grand opening in the first half of 2026, promises a stunning retail experience that will make your jaw drop. This dazzling new terminal, almost completely built, will be managed by Frankfurt Airport Retail (FAR), a slick joint venture between Fraport AG and global travel retail giant Gebr. Heinemann.
In January, FAR announced the winners of its food and beverage tenders, and the not-so-little secret of the concessionaires for the retail and service units at T3 has finally been unveiled.
Anke Giesen, responsible for retail and real estate at the airport and part of Fraport's executive board, revealed that while developing the shopping offer for T3, the airport employees and passengers were their top priorities. She stated, "We're working with our concessionaires to create mind-blowing concepts-this is our retail vision, and we're going to continue implementing it in an architecturally spectacular setting in Terminal 3."
Take a gander at the new layout, and you'll notice the low-lying exterior profile of T3 shares some resemblance with the existing terminals. But don't be fooled-the interior design will provide a stunning surprise! Say goodbye to the cramped, claustrophobic older terminals and embrace the open, spacious-looking marketplace at the heart of T3. Expect 15 retail outlets surrounding this space, a bar, two food courts, and even a futuristic, drop ceiling designed by acclaimed architect Christoph Mäckler. This relaxation zone should give everyone enough space to unwind and maybe even muster the energy for some deep-dive shopping.
Giesen also mentioned that the focus on T3 will be on courting international transit passengers. In an ambitious move, FAR's joint venture with Gebr. Heinemann will take the retail game to a whole new level by increasing the number of duty-free stores from four to a whopping 23, covering over 32,000 square feet! The star attraction is the main duty-free shop, boasting a whopping 18,600 square feet.
Tobias Bechinger, sales director for Western Europe at Gebr. Heinemann, stated, "The aim is to create an unforgettable shopping experience, reflected in all areas from the architecture to the assortment, to the demeanor of the staff." In addition to the usual suspects like beauty, spirits, confectionery, tobacco, toys, and sunglasses, highlights will include a dedicated area for luxury niche fragrances, a new cross-category, multi-sensory concept, and a Habanos specialist humidor for fine cigars.
FAR will also manage the Boss and Montblanc stores in the new terminal, along with other branded units. To tantalize the younger travelers, the fashion-forward airport retail format Gatezero, first launched at Switzerland's Zurich Airport in 2021 and at Copenhagen Airport in 2022, will make its debut at a German airport in T3. Scheduled to open at a German airport for the first time, Gatezero promises to showcase the latest trends in luxury and street culture, with an eclectic mix of fashion, accessories, tech, and gadgets.
In an exciting turn of events, many loyal Frankfurt retailers have renewed their commitment to the airport, and some might say, upped the ante for T3. Capi Electronics, Christ, Falke, Sunglass Hut, Tumi, Longchamp, Victoria's Secret, and more will grace the T3 retail scene, offering travelers an extraordinary selection of products.
Victoria's Secret, with a comeback that's giving us life, will sell an exclusive selection of lingerie, fragrances, body care, and accessories. If you're hankering for some souvenirs, shops like Germany On My Mind and Germany's Selection, part of the Wöllhaf Group, will offer you wall clocks, beer tankards, and other typical German products to take home.
So, buckle up, folks, because T3 is gonna be a retail rollercoaster ride you don't want to miss! Frankfurt Airport lies at the heart of Europe, but if Terminal 3's growth is anything to go by, the gateway is about to soar to new heights.
Indulge in a shopping spree at the newly-opened Terminal 3 of Frankfurt Airport, which will house a Habanos specialist humidor for fine cigars, a dedicated area for luxury niche fragrances, and an eclectic mix of fashion, accessories, tech, and gadgets from the fashion-forward retail format, Gatezero. Don't forget to explore the expansive stores of global brands like Boss, Montblanc, and Victoria's Secret, all managed by Frankfurt Airport Retail. This retail expansion in Germany is set to introduce a new level of shopping experience for both local and international travelers, turning Frankfurt Airport into a retail hub worth exploring.
