Monocle moves into airport retail, starting in HK

UK-based media brand Monocle on Friday announced the opening of its first travel retail store, at Hong Kong International Airport. The shop is the the first in a new rollout of airport-based outposts for the brand. 

Developed in partnership with Paris-based Lagardère Travel Retail, the shop will supply books and stationery, travel essentials, including Porter x Monocle iconic luggage and bag range, and accessories and apparel.

"The launch of this new concept at Hong Kong International Airport comes at the perfect time for our sector," Tyler Brûlé, editor-in-chief and chairman of Monocle, said in a release. "Airport news and shop formats have not been keeping pace with the retail industry in general and this debut seeks to raise the game for both the print industry and customers."

The opening indicates that although the airport has been scarred by recent disruptions and violent incidents related to the ongoing Hong Kong protests, it's still attractive to retail brands given the airport's passenger traffic of over 74 million people a year and up to 800 flights daily.

“Hong Kong is already one of our most important markets both for readers and brand partnerships," Brûlé said. "In order to tailor this for the local audience, visitors and passengers connecting, we’ve developed a store that is calm, elegantly designed and stocked with good reads for the long haul, gifts for friends and clients at the other end and of course lots of accessories and fashion items for our core audience."

View of Monocle store at Hong Kong International Airport