Real-Time Retail Intelligence: Powering the Non-Aero Revenue Future of Airports

Airports have evolved far beyond being just gateways for passengers. They are now dynamic commercial hubs, where retail, dining, and passenger services contribute significantly to revenue. For many airports, non-aeronautical revenue—income generated from retail, food and beverage, parking, and advertising—is critical to their long-term profitability and resilience.
In an era where passenger expectations are shaped by digital convenience, airports must rethink how they manage and optimize retail operations. One of the most promising solutions is real-time retail intelligence—a data-driven approach that allows commercial teams to track, analyze, and improve retail performance instantly.
This blog explores the market trends, challenges, opportunities, and technological innovations transforming airport retail in 2025, with insights into how StoreSense by GrayMatter aligns with these shifts.

• Market Size: Projected at $37.23 billion in 2025¹, up from $29.28 billion in 2024.
• Growth Rate: CAGR of 11.9% from 2024–2025, with forecasts to $69.7 billion by 2033².
• Regional Leaders: Asia-Pacific commands over 40% of global market share³, with airports like Singapore Changi and Seoul Incheon setting new benchmarks for passenger experience and retail innovation.

Today’s air travelers expect personalized, seamless, and technology-driven experiences. The same passenger who shops online with one-click convenience expects similar ease in an airport retail environment. 

Over 65% of airports are expected to adopt integrated digital retail and passenger experience platforms by 2025. These systems enable:

• Real-time inventory visibility
• Dynamic pricing and promotions
• Contactless payments and mobile ordering

Static monthly reports are no longer sufficient. Airports need live POS data to:

• Identify underperforming stores instantly
• Adjust store layouts and staffing dynamically
• Launch targeted promotions based on passenger demographics and flight schedules

Real-time retail intelligence is the continuous collection, integration, and analysis of sales and operational data from airport concessionaires. This data is presented in a format that enables immediate action—helping airports:

• Spot trends in passenger spending
• Benchmark store performance against historical data
• Evaluate ROI of marketing and promotional campaigns

When integrated with AI and predictive analytics, it can forecast demand spikes, optimize staffing, and prevent stockouts in high-demand outlets.

StoreSense by GrayMatter is designed specifically to address the challenges of airport retail. Unlike generic retail analytics tools, it’s tailored for multi-tenant environments, complex revenue-sharing models, and operational constraints unique to airports. 

1. Real-Time Sales Data Sync 
Seamless integration with retailer POS systems to capture real-time sales data and deliver minute-by-minute visibility
2. Automated Concession Billing 
Eliminates manual reconciliation, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
3. Advanced Analytics Dashboards
Visualize performance by category, brand, terminal, or zone.
4. Predictive Insights
Use historical trends and passenger traffic forecasts to inform retail strategies.
5. Seamless Implementation
Works with existing infrastructure—no need for expensive hardware changes.

At one international airport, StoreSense enabled the commercial team to:

• Detect 5% revenue leakage from under-reported sales within the first month
• Improve promotional ROI by 20% through targeted campaigns
• Reduce financial reconciliation time from weeks to just 48 hours

This real-world example shows how technology and transparency can directly impact profitability. 

StoreSense is trusted by airports across continents, including: 

• Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (Mexico)
• Mactan-Cebu International Airport (Philippines)
• Bangalore International Airport (India)
• El Dorado Airport (Colombia)
• JFK International Airport (USA)
• Miami International Airport (USA)

1- AI-Powered Personalization Offering tailored
promotions based on passenger profiles and spending history.
2- Contactless Commerce
Mobile payments, QR-based ordering, and self-checkout.
3- Omnichannel Airport Shopping
Pre-order online, collect in-terminal.
4- Sustainable Retailing
Eco-friendly stores and green operations as part of brand identity.
5- Experience-Driven Retail
Blending entertainment, technology, and shopping to create memorable journeys.

1- What is non-aeronautical revenue?
It’s income generated from sources other than flight operations, such as retail stores, duty-free outlets, dining, parking, and advertising.

2- How does real-time retail intelligence work?
It integrates live POS data from multiple retailers, processes it in real time, and presents actionable insights for decision-makers.

3- Can StoreSense integrate with any POS system? 
Yes. StoreSense is vendor-agnostic and supports integration with a wide range of retail POS systems.

4- Is StoreSense suitable for smaller regional airports? 
Absolutely. It’s scalable for airports of all sizes and can be implemented with minimal operational disruption.

5- How quickly can airports see ROI after implementing StoreSense? 
Many airports report measurable improvements in revenue transparency and efficiency within 3–6 months.