THINK Global Research will be presenting for the third consecutive year at the Airport Retail and Commercial Forum in Melbourne July 22-24 2024, presenting a bespoke piece of research on traveller trends and identifying commercial outcomes for airports and retailers.
This year, THINK’s research will focus on all facets of retail including duty-free, specialty retail, and food and beverage. A key element of the research will be how the airport traveller has evolved in recent years and the key trends facing the airport retail channel.
THINK’s presentation, based on its survey of 1,000 passengers, will headline Day 2 of the Forum and set up critical discussions for the day.
The Forum is organised through a collaborative effort between the Australian Airports Association (AAA), The Mercurius Group and The Moodie Davitt Report. This forum serves as a pivotal gathering for all key players within the airport non-aeronautical revenue sector. Delegates include airports from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
"THINK has been a Forum partner since the beginning of the event, their research provides important insights into the consumer perspective. Their contribution to the Forum is a critical addition for delegates to understand upcoming trends and how retail can evolve. What is more, these studies are not just targeted at large airports, smaller regional airports can also gain valuable insights which has the potential to transform their retail offerings.”
James GoodwinFORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER at AAA
FORUM 2023: HOW TRAVELLERS PERCEIVE AIRPORT RETAIL
To open the forum last year, THINK conducted a specialised consumer research piece, surveying 1,000 travellers to gain insights into their perceptions of airports retail and commercial offerings.
To kick-off the research, THINK moderated in-depth discussions with key airport stakeholders across the Pacific region. Through collaborative discussions, stakeholders identified critical issues pertinent to each aspect of an airport’s commercial offering, which set the scope of the research.
This research encompassed all facets of the airport’s commercial landscape, including:
- Understanding current traveller behaviour
- Traveller sentiment on spending at airports
- Mapping the end-to-end traveller experience
- Identifying what value for money means to the travellers
- How airports can deliver a value for money offering across retail, duty free, F&B and ground transport
Key findings of the research were presented by THINK’s Managing Director, Kristy Ihle, in a keynote presentation that focused on the voice of the consumer, marking this as an inaugural event to open the forum.
For more information on this piece, contact THINK Global Research at info@thinkgr.com.au
Kristy Ihle presented how travellers perceive airport retail at the Airport Retail and Commercial Forum 2023.
KRISTY SAID:
"The commitment demonstrated by airports to commence the Forum with a consumer-centric approach is commendable. This research provides invaluable insights from both perspectives the stakeholders and travellers, enabling us to identify and address challenges collaboratively while co-creating opportunities to enhance the overall end-to-end traveller experience. Understanding how our shopping behaviours have evolved significantly post-COVID-19 prompts us to explore these transformations across all facets of our travel experiences."
Kristy IhleMANAGING DIRECTOR AT TH?NK GLOBAL RESEARCH
FORUM 2022: UNDERSTANDING THE TRAVELLER TO COMMERCIALISE THE AIRPORT OFFER
Given the post-pandemic landscape, this marked the first time all major Australian airports came together to discuss ‘bounce-back strategies’ and collaborate as an industry to navigate the new aviation landscape.
Traveller needs and behaviour were unknown, with a new world of travellers emerging. A need arose to comprehend the evolving preferences of travellers. It was evident that the airport experience sought by travellers had undergone significant change. It was important for airports to familiarise themselves with these new emerging profiles and understand their preferences within the airport environment.
THINK conducted the research with 10,000 travellers across Australian and New Zealand domestic and international airports with a focus on:
- Propensity to travel (motivations and barriers post covid)
- COVID-19 impact on traveller sentiment
- Travel destinations, stopovers, and behaviour patterns
- Needs and wants across the traveller journey and what could encourage them to start travelling again
- Health and safety initiatives to encourage travel
- Bounce back initiatives throughout the traveller journey
By understanding the mindset of these new travellers, airports could tailor their offerings to better meet their needs.
This research uncovered critical opportunities and the development of new products and services, aligning closely with the changing demands of the traveller journey. Results were presented by Kristy Ihle at the AAA Forum 2022.
For more information on this piece contact THINK Global Research at info@thinkgr.com.au
THINK MD Kristy Ihle: Understanding the Traveller to Commercialise the Airport Offer – AAA Forum 2022.
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