CompareMarketResearchRequest a sample
Home / Travel and Tourism / Onboard Retail

Travel and Tourism · Market report

Onboard Retail Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global onboard retail market is worth USD 4.5 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 8.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.0% CAGR. United Kingdom is the largest country market and Fragrance and cosmetics is the largest by category segment.

USD 4.5 bnMarket size 2026
USD 8.1 bnForecast 2036
6.0%CAGR 2026-2036
United KingdomLargest country

Request a free sample Jump to the forecast

Report price: Starts from USD 1,999

5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global onboard retail market is worth USD 4.5 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 8.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.0% CAGR. United Kingdom is the largest country market and Fragrance and cosmetics is the largest by category segment.

ScopeDuty-free and buy-on-board sales of perfume, cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, confectionery, gifts and snacks made to passengers in flight and through airline pre-order channels.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 4.2 bn
Value 2026USD 4.5 bn
Value 2036USD 8.1 bn
CAGR 2026-20366.0%
Volume 2026508 million transactions
Volume 2036747 million transactions
Average price 2026USD 8.93 per transaction
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

Request a free sample of this report

Onboard Retail market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global onboard retail market is forecast to grow from USD 4.5 bn in 2026 to USD 8.1 bn by 2036, a rise of 79%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 6.0%
Onboard Retail market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 4.2 bn; 2026: USD 4.5 bn; 2027: USD 4.8 bn; 2028: USD 5.1 bn; 2029: USD 5.4 bn; 2030: USD 5.7 bn; 2031: USD 6.1 bn; 2032: USD 6.4 bn; 2033: USD 6.8 bn; 2034: USD 7.2 bn; 2035: USD 7.7 bn; 2036: USD 8.1 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 6.0%.20254.5 bn20266.1 bn20318.1 bn20366.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 4.5 bn
2027USD 4.8 bn
2028USD 5.1 bn
2029USD 5.4 bn
2030USD 5.7 bn
2031USD 6.1 bn
2032USD 6.4 bn
2033USD 6.8 bn
2034USD 7.2 bn
2035USD 7.7 bn
2036USD 8.1 bn

Onboard Retail market segmentation

By category

Exhibit 2Fragrance and cosmetics is the largest segment by category, with 34.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by category
Onboard Retail market share by category, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by category. Fragrance and cosmetics: 34.0%; Food and confectionery: 20.0%; Liquor and tobacco: 18.0%; Electronics, gifts and accessories: 16.0%; Travel essentials and other: 12.0%.Fragrance and cosmetics34.0%Food and confectionery20.0%Liquor and tobacco18.0%Electronics, gifts and accessories16.0%Travel essentials and other12.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Fragrance and cosmetics34.0%33.8%USD 1.5 bn5.9%
Liquor and tobacco18.0%14.1%USD 816 mn3.4%
Food and confectionery20.0%22.9%USD 907 mn7.5%
Electronics, gifts and accessories16.0%16.7%USD 726 mn6.4%
Travel essentials and other12.0%12.5%USD 544 mn6.4%

By channel

Exhibit 3Pre-order adds the most revenue by channel, growing from USD 1.5 bn in 2026 to USD 3.3 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by channel, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Onboard Retail market by channel, 2026 and 2036Revenue by channel in 2026 and 2036. Buy on board (cash/card): USD 2.2 bn in 2026, USD 3.5 bn in 2036, change +61%; Pre-order: USD 1.5 bn in 2026, USD 3.3 bn in 2036, change +114%; Duty-free trolley: USD 816 mn in 2026, USD 1.3 bn in 2036, change +61%.20262036 forecastChangeBuy on board (cash/card)+61%2.2 bn3.5 bnPre-order+114%1.5 bn3.3 bnDuty-free trolley+61%816 mn1.3 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Buy on board (cash/card)48.0%43.2%USD 2.2 bn4.9%
Pre-order34.0%40.6%USD 1.5 bn7.9%
Duty-free trolley18.0%16.2%USD 816 mn4.9%

By airline type

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Low-cost carriers42.0%46.4%USD 1.9 bn7.1%
Full-service carriers46.0%42.1%USD 2.1 bn5.1%
Charter and regional12.0%11.5%USD 544 mn5.6%

By payment method

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Card and contactless56.0%66.0%USD 2.5 bn7.8%
Cash36.0%22.0%USD 1.6 bn0.9%
Digital wallets8.0%12.0%USD 363 mn10.4%

By sector length

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Short-haul62.0%58.0%USD 2.8 bn5.3%
Medium-haul22.0%24.0%USD 998 mn6.9%
Long-haul16.0%18.0%USD 726 mn7.3%

Top 25 countries for onboard retail by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 62.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 87.2%.

Exhibit 4United Kingdom is the largest country market at USD 408 mn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 24.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Onboard Retail market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. United Kingdom: USD 408 mn, 9.0%; United States: USD 363 mn, 8.0%; Spain: USD 318 mn, 7.0%; Germany: USD 318 mn, 7.0%; France: USD 272 mn, 6.0%; Japan: USD 272 mn, 6.0%; China: USD 272 mn, 6.0%; Italy: USD 227 mn, 5.0%; India: USD 204 mn, 4.5%; Turkey: USD 181 mn, 4.0%.United Kingdom408 mn 9.0%United States363 mn 8.0%Spain318 mn 7.0%Germany318 mn 7.0%France272 mn 6.0%Japan272 mn 6.0%China272 mn 6.0%Italy227 mn 5.0%India204 mn 4.5%Turkey181 mn 4.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1United KingdomUSD 408 mn9.0%USD 674 mn5.2%
2United StatesUSD 363 mn8.0%USD 569 mn4.6%
3SpainUSD 318 mn7.0%USD 552 mn5.7%
4GermanyUSD 318 mn7.0%USD 528 mn5.2%
5FranceUSD 272 mn6.0%USD 447 mn5.1%
6JapanUSD 272 mn6.0%USD 390 mn3.7%
7ChinaUSD 272 mn6.0%USD 593 mn8.1%
8ItalyUSD 227 mn5.0%USD 390 mn5.6%
9IndiaUSD 204 mn4.5%USD 512 mn9.6%
10TurkeyUSD 181 mn4.0%USD 366 mn7.3%
11IrelandUSD 142 mn3.1%USD 259 mn6.2%
12United Arab EmiratesUSD 127 mn2.8%USD 249 mn6.9%
13NetherlandsUSD 114 mn2.5%USD 210 mn6.2%
14PolandUSD 103 mn2.3%USD 188 mn6.2%
15AustraliaUSD 93 mn2.0%USD 170 mn6.3%
16CanadaUSD 83 mn1.8%USD 153 mn6.2%
17SingaporeUSD 75 mn1.7%USD 137 mn6.2%
18ThailandUSD 68 mn1.5%USD 124 mn6.3%
19BrazilUSD 61 mn1.3%USD 111 mn6.2%
20MexicoUSD 55 mn1.2%USD 101 mn6.3%
21SwedenUSD 49 mn1.1%USD 90 mn6.2%
22NorwayUSD 44 mn1.0%USD 81 mn6.2%
23SwitzerlandUSD 40 mn0.9%USD 73 mn6.2%
24PortugalUSD 36 mn0.8%USD 66 mn6.3%
25South KoreaUSD 32 mn0.7%USD 59 mn6.3%
Rest of worldUSD 578 mn12.8%USD 1.0 bn6.0%
Exhibit 5China and India account for 18% of the USD 3.6 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Onboard Retail market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 4.5 bn. China: +USD 321 mn; India: +USD 308 mn; United Kingdom: +USD 266 mn; Spain: +USD 235 mn; Germany: +USD 210 mn; 20 other countries: +USD 1.8 bn; Rest of world: +USD 453 mn. Market value 2036: USD 8.1 bn.Market value 20264.5 bnChina+321 mnIndia+308 mnUnited Kingdom+266 mnSpain+235 mnGermany+210 mn20 other countries+1.8 bnRest of world+453 mnMarket value 20368.1 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • Avolta
  • gategroup
  • LSG Group
  • Lagardère Travel Retail
  • Gebr. Heinemann

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • Inflight Sales Group
  • DFASS Group
  • Aer Rianta International
  • Qantas Duty Free
  • Starboard Cruise Services
  • KrisShop
  • Flemingo International

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Aelia Duty Free
  • Avia Duty Free

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the onboard retail market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.0% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by category, by channel, by airline type, by payment method, by sector length. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the onboard retail market?

The global onboard retail market is estimated at USD 4.2 bn in 2025 and USD 4.5 bn in 2026.

How fast will the onboard retail market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 8.1 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 3.6 bn.

Which country is the largest market for onboard retail?

United Kingdom is the largest market by revenue at USD 408 mn in 2026, 9.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 24.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.6% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which onboard retail segment is largest?

In the by category split, Fragrance and cosmetics is the largest segment with 34.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading onboard retail companies?

Global leaders include Avolta, gategroup, LSG Group, Lagardère Travel Retail.

Need the full report?

Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.

Request a free sample

Related markets in Travel and Tourism

← National Park Online Gaming →

All Travel and Tourism markets →

Request a sample