Adani Group is set to expand its airport retail business in a strategic move to strengthen its non-aeronautical revenue streams. The conglomerate plans to grow its retail footprint beyond airports, extending into highways and malls in a phased manner. Currently operating around 50 stores, Adani aims to scale up to nearly 310 outlets by next year, comprising 270 retail stores and 40 food and beverage (F&B) outlets. This expansion aligns with the group's broader vision of gaining greater control over airport retail operations as existing concessions held by other players expire.

With this aggressive retail expansion, Adani Group is positioning itself as a direct competitor to established FMCG giants such as Tata Group’s ITC, Reliance, Dabur, and Hindustan Unilever, all of whom are dominant forces in the F&B industry. The expansion comes at a time when India’s aviation infrastructure is undergoing rapid transformation, with 43 new airports set to be operational by 2025 and an additional 200 in the pipeline over the next two decades. Adani Airports currently manages eight airports across the country, including those in Ahmedabad, Mangaluru, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mumbai.

India’s food and beverage market, which was valued at approximately $332 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $691.47 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.05%, according to Maximize Market Research. The surge in demand is largely attributed to the country’s young population, with the majority of food and beverage consumption driven by individuals aged 18 to 40. Additionally, the Indian snack market is expected to grow from Rs 426 billion in 2023 to Rs 955 billion by 2032, fuelled by changing lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, and rising disposable incomes.

Adani Group’s ambitious expansion into retail and F&B aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging India's economic growth, evolving consumer trends, and infrastructural development to solidify its position as a key player in the country’s retail and airport ecosystems