Airport retail environments are under increasing pressure to deliver compelling customer experiences while managing rising construction costs, operational constraints and evolving sustainability requirements.
Developed in partnership with The Mercurius Group, the Airport Retail Fitout Study 2026 provides one of the most comprehensive benchmarks of airport retail fitout costs across Australia and New Zealand. Drawing on more than $110 million in fitout expenditure across 13,500m² of delivered retail space, the study offers practical insights into the factors shaping project feasibility, cost escalation and long-term commercial performance.
The report goes beyond cost benchmarking to examine the operational realities of delivering retail projects in airport environments, from security requirements and access restrictions to sustainability obligations and stakeholder complexity. It also identifies opportunities for airports, retailers and delivery partners to work more collaboratively, reduce unnecessary cost pressures and improve value outcomes across future projects.
What’s inside
Retail fitout cost benchmarks
How have fitout costs changed across duty free, food and beverage, travel essentials and specialty retail categories?
The study provides detailed benchmarking across key retail segments, helping operators better understand current market conditions and plan for future cost pressures.
Airport versus high street costs
Airport fitouts continue to attract significant cost premiums compared with equivalent projects in CBD and high street environments.
The report explores the key drivers behind these differences, including security requirements, restricted access, construction logistics and stakeholder approvals.
Sustainability and fitout delivery
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration in airport retail environments.
The report examines how evolving sustainability requirements are influencing project costs, procurement decisions and fitout delivery strategies.
