Cigarettes and alcoholic drinks top the list of high demand products in duty-free shops of airports. This is probably due to the fact that, unlike other products, cigarettes and beverages are imposed with higher taxes in city shops.
While shopping in duty free stores it’s quite possible to save some money to a greater or lesser extent, however, the prejudgement that all products may be purchased at a 50% discount in duty free stores causes doubts.
Talking about European duty free shops, they can hardly boast low pricing policy, and here savings mostly may apply to cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, perfumery and cosmetics.
Studies by German ADAC show that the most expensive duty free shops within Europe are located in Airport Prague, while more cost-effective purchase options are available at London’s Heathrow, Frankfurt (https://www.inlobby.com/r/Frankfurt.html) and Düsseldorf (https://www.inlobby.com/r/Düsseldorf.html) airports. The next on the line to come are airports of Rome (Fiumicino), Barcelona, Amsterdam, Brussels and Austria (https://www.inlobby.com/r/Vienna.html). By the way, the first duty free shop was opened at Shannon Airport, Ireland (https://www.inlobby.com/r/Dublin.html) in 1947.
In comparison with the European duty free shopping centers, the airports in Middle East and Asia mostly house stores with products at more affordable prices. Here Dubai (https://www.inlobby.com/r/Dubai.html) duty free shops are worth particular attention with their 24h operation in all terminals and a rich variety of products, starting from alcohol beverages, cigarettes, perfumery, watches and jewelry up to world-famous brands, quality clothing, exotic fruits and even more.
If you’re in quest for high-quality and productive shopping experience, then Bangkok Airport (https://www.inlobby.com/r/Bangkok.html) may meet your requirements. Keep in mind to visit Jim Thompson chain stores where high-class products made of fine Thai silk are introduced.
Nowadays passengers also have the possibility of getting tax-free items even right in the plane, and in this case prices will be even lower as taxes are reduced to a minimum. But here the choice of products is rather limited mainly covering perfumery and cosmetics.
