Gatwick Airport Shops: Everything You’ll Find in Both Terminals

Quick Answer: Gatwick Airport has shops in both the North and South terminals, spread across landside (before security) and airside (after security) zones.According to Gatwick Airport’s official shopping directory, you’ll find duty-free giants like World Duty Free, luxury names like Harrods, high-street staples like Boots and WHSmith, plus food, fashion, tech, and beauty stores, most of them in the departure lounges.

Got a bit of time to kill before your flight? Gatwick’s shopping scene is genuinely impressive.

Whether you need last-minute sun cream, a bottle of perfume at duty-free prices, a Hugo Boss shirt for a business trip, or just a good book and a coffee, both terminals have you covered. You just need to know where everything is. And if you haven’t sorted your Gatwick Airport transfer yet, do that before anything else.

Here’s a complete breakdown of every major shop at Gatwick, by terminal and category, so you know exactly what to expect before you get there.

North Terminal vs South Terminal: Quick Comparison

Gatwick has a North Terminal and a South Terminal, connected by a free shuttle that runs every 2–3 minutes. They operate independently, so your shopping options depend entirely on which terminal you’re departing from.

As noted by the Gatwick Airport Guide, most shops are located in the departures area of each terminal, after security. There are some landside options before check-in, but the real retail experience starts once you’re airside.

What Time Do Gatwick Airport Shops Open?

This is one of the most searched questions and the answer varies by store. Here are the hours direct from official sources:

Note: Hours for individual stores like Boots and fashion retailers are aligned with first departures of the day and aren’t published centrally. For the most accurate timings, check the Gatwick Airport shopping page or contact specific stores before travelling. World Duty Free hours above are confirmed directly from their official store pages.

North Terminal Shops

Duty-Free & Travel Essentials

World Duty Free is the first major retail space you hit after clearing security in the North Terminal, and it’s a big one. You’ll find fragrance and cosmetics from Chanel, Dior, Jo Malone, Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, and Estée Lauder. The spirits section covers everything from premium Scotch whisky to craft gin, often at prices noticeably better than the high street.

One thing worth knowing: once you’re airside, the 100ml liquid restriction on hand luggage no longer applies to duty-free purchases. Items are sealed in security bags, just keep them sealed if you have an onward connection.

Boots is right up there as one of the most useful stops in the terminal. It stocks a wider range than your average high-street branch, sun cream, insect repellent, medicines, travel-size toiletries, baby essentials, and cosmetics. They also offer Click & Collect, so you can order online before your trip and pick up airside.

WHSmith (airside) is much better stocked than the one landside. Books, travel guides, magazines, snacks, and practical travel accessories like neck pillows, ear plugs, and portable chargers, all in one place.

M&S Simply Food in the arrivals hall is perfect if you need a decent meal or snack after landing. It’s not airside, but it’s a reliable spot for fresh food and grab-and-go meals.

Fashion & Accessories (North Terminal)

The North Terminal departure lounge has one of the stronger fashion line-ups among UK airports. Highlights include:

• Harrods: Luxury goods, designer accessories, exclusive confectionery, and gifts you won’t find at a standard department store
• Hugo Boss: Suits, smart-casual wear, and accessories; ideal for last-minute business travel needs
• Ted Baker: Stylish clothing and accessories with a British edge
• FatFace: Casual, coastal-inspired clothing and accessories
• JD Sports: Sportswear, trainers, and activewear
• Superdry: Contemporary streetwear with a vintage-inspired twist
• Reiss: Tailored, understated fashion for the grown-up traveller
• Dune: Shoes and accessories
• Accessorize: Affordable jewellery, bags, and seasonal accessories

Beauty & Fragrance (North Terminal)

Beyond the duty-free zone, the North Terminal has some dedicated beauty options worth browsing:

• Bobbi Brown: Makeup and skincare
• Jo Malone London: Fragrances and home scents
• Aerospa: Travel wellness and skincare products
• Sunglass Hut: Sunglasses from Ray-Ban, Oakley, and other major brands

Tech & Watches (North Terminal)

• InMotion: Headphones, phone accessories, chargers, and travel tech
• Watches of Switzerland: Luxury and designer watches

Food & Drink (North Terminal)

The Red Lion: Traditional British pub with fish and chips, pizza, pasta, and a kids’ menu. A solid choice if you want a proper sit-down meal before departure.

Shake Shack: American-style burgers, shakes, and hot dogs. Consistently good quality and reasonably quick service.

Tortilla: Customisable burritos, tacos, and quesadillas for a quick Mexican fix.

Wagamama: Noodle dishes, curries, and salads with Fairtrade coffee and independent wines. Popular for a reason.

Pret A Manger: Great for quick sandwiches, wraps, and coffee when you’re short on time.

Starbucks & Costa Coffee: Standard coffee chain options if you just need caffeine and somewhere to sit.

South Terminal Shops

Duty-Free & Essentials

The South Terminal’s World Duty Free mirrors its North Terminal counterpart, fragrances, cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, and confectionery at duty-free prices. The arrivals duty-free store is also worth knowing about: international travellers can shop a selection of fragrances, cosmetics, confectionery, and electronics on the way in, not just on departure.

Boots and WHSmith are both present airside in the South Terminal as well, with similar ranges to the North.

Fashion & Accessories (South Terminal)

• Lacoste: Iconic polo shirts and smart casual clothing
• MANGO: Contemporary women’s fashion
• Kurt Geiger: Shoes and handbags with a fashion-forward edge
• Superdry: Also present in the South Terminal
• Accessorize: Fashion accessories and jewellery
• Dixons Travel: Electronics and tech accessories

💡 Insider tip: The South Terminal shopping zone runs both before and after security, which gives you more flexibility. You can browse landside while waiting to check in, then shop properly once you’re airside.

Food & Drink (South Terminal)

Nando’s: The peri-peri chicken spot needs no introduction. The South Terminal branch is a popular pre-flight favourite, with a kids’ menu and vegetarian options too.

Giraffe: An all-day dining spot covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an international menu and a relaxed atmosphere.

Wagamama: Also in the South Terminal, with the same reliable noodle and curry menu.

Costa Coffee: Reliable for a flat white and a snack before boarding.

Smart Shopping Tips for Gatwick

1. Arrive early enough to actually shop.
The departure lounge shops only open up after security. If you’re cutting it close, you’ll rush straight to the gate. Build in at least 45 minutes if you want to browse properly.

2. Use the Reserve From Home and Collect on Return services at World Duty Free.
You can reserve products online up to 30 days before you fly and collect at the airport. According to World Duty Free, you can also get an exclusive 10% discount on leading brands when you reserve online, that’s a Gatwick Airport-confirmed partnership promotion. Free service, no obligation to collect.

3. Don’t buy liquids before security to save hassle.
Landside pharmacies and shops sell toiletries, but any liquid over 100ml will be confiscated at security. Buy those items airside at Boots instead.

4. Know your duty-free allowances.
UK residents can bring back limited quantities of alcohol, tobacco, and perfume duty-free. The amounts depend on where you’re flying from EU vs. non-EU routes have different rules. Check the HMRC website before you splurge.

5. The terminals are not connected airside.
If you need to switch from the North to South Terminal (or vice versa), you’ll exit security, take the shuttle, and go through security again. Don’t leave it to the last minute. If you’ve arranged a meet and greet airport transfer, your driver will meet you at the designated pickup point after you leave the terminal.

FAQ’s

Can I shop at Gatwick if I’m arriving rather than departing?

Yes, but your options are limited. The South Terminal has an arrivals duty-free store where international passengers can pick up fragrances, cosmetics, confectionery, and electronics on the way in. The M&S Simply Food in the North Terminal arrivals hall is also landside and open to arriving passengers. The main retail experience, however, is almost entirely airside and departure-only.

Can I shop in both terminals if I have time to spare?

Not once you’re through security. The North and South terminals are not connected airside switching between them means exiting security, taking the shuttle, and going through security again from scratch. Whatever terminal your flight departs from is where you shop. Don’t leave it to the last minute

I’m on an early morning flight will the shops actually be open?

Most major stores open from around 4:00–4:30am, timed around the first departures of the day. World Duty Free opens from 3:00am. Boots and WHSmith are typically open from around 4:30am. Individual fashion stores tend to open closer to 5:00am. Hours aren’t published centrally so if you’re catching a very early flight, check the specific store’s page or the Gatwick Airport shopping directory before travelling.

I reserved something at World Duty Free online where exactly do I collect it?

You collect at the World Duty Free store airside in your departure terminal, after going through security. You can reserve up to 30 days before you fly and there’s no obligation to collect if you change your mind. The online reservation also unlocks an exclusive 10% discount on leading brands worth doing before you travel rather than buying on the day.

Can I buy full-size toiletries or liquids over 100ml at Gatwick?

Yes, but only airside. Anything you buy at Boots or World Duty Free after security bypasses the 100ml hand luggage restriction entirely purchases are sealed in security bags. Don’t make the mistake of buying large liquids from landside shops before security; anything over 100ml will be confiscated at the checkpoint. Always buy toiletries and liquids once you’re through.