Blog: How Digital Transformation is Reshaping Travel Retail

Unlike traditional retailers, those in airports and transit hubs can’t afford system downtime or inefficiencies—operations must run seamlessly 24/7, no matter the circumstances.

On a recent podcast episode, I spoke with Khurram Noor, Vice President of Customer-Facing Systems at Avolta, about how digital transformation is reshaping travel retail. The discussion highlighted the need for cloud-based infrastructure, AI-driven insights, and seamless customer-facing systems to meet the unique challenges of high-traffic locations.

“Our customers have a very short window to engage with our stores, whether they’re grabbing a meal or making a last-minute purchase before a flight,” Noor explained. “That means our technology must support fast, frictionless interactions while maintaining absolute reliability.”

This is where cloud-native software solutions come into play. By leveraging cloud architecture, retailers can quickly deploy updates, integrate real-time data, and ensure uptime across thousands of locations. AI-driven analytics further enhance operations, allowing for personalized customer experiences, optimized inventory management, and predictive decision-making.

“AI is allowing us to move beyond basic transactions,” Noor shared. “We can now anticipate customer needs, streamline checkout processes, and provide a more connected retail experience, even in environments where time is a constraint.”

With retailers in travel hubs facing growing complexity, success will come down to resilient, scalable, and intelligent technology. 

To explore more about how cloud and AI are shaping the next generation of travel retail, contact us today to speak with a retail expert or listen to the full podcast here.