As Visit Malaysia 2026 gains momentum, Malaysia airport retail VM 2026 is already scaling up in a big way. ShopLAH, Malaysia Airports’ always on retail experience campaign, is turning airports into more than just transit hubs. Think shopping, makan spots, local brands and cultural storytelling all built into your travel flow.
If you are flying in or out soon, this is not just about catching a flight. It is about experiencing Malaysia before you even leave the airport.
104.5 Million Passenger Movements Recorded in 2025
Malaysia Airports recorded 104.5 million passenger movements in 2025, with around 44 million retail transactions, marking a 28.8 percent year on year increase. That is not small numbers. It shows one thing clearly: travellers are spending and engaging more at airports.
For VM 2026, the focus is simple
• Increase tourism spend
• Spotlight Malaysian brands
• Upgrade the overall passenger experience
Airports are now positioned as part of the tourism journey, not just the starting point.
More Local Brands, More Malaysian Identity
One major push under ShopLAH is strengthening the presence of Malaysian brands across international gateways.
You will see names like
• Oriental Kopi
• Kapten Batik
• Serai
• Jibby Chow
• Little Malaysia
Food and beverage sales grew 19 percent year on year, while gifts and souvenirs jumped 42 percent, becoming the fastest growing retail segment.
Even in chocolate and confectionery, Malaysian brands now contribute 33 percent of the overall category. That means travellers are literally bringing Malaysian flavours home.
This is cultural positioning done through retail, not just marketing talk.
Tourist Privilege Card Inside MYAirports App
To further boost Malaysia airport retail VM 2026, Malaysia Airports will introduce a Tourist Privilege Card integrated into the MYAirports App.
What it offers
• Instant discounts
• Shopping privileges
• Rewards across selected retail and food outlets
For international visitors, this adds immediate value. For Malaysia, it drives higher spend while keeping the experience digital and frictionless.
It is a smart move that aligns with how Gen Z and young travellers expect rewards to work. Seamless, mobile first, no physical cards needed.
Bigger Picture for Visit Malaysia 2026
The strategy is clear. Airports are Malaysia’s first and last impression. By strengthening Malaysia airport retail VM 2026, the country is aligning tourism, commerce and national identity in one ecosystem.
For travellers, it means
• Better food choices
• Stronger local brand visibility
• More rewards and perks
• A more immersive arrival and departure experience
For Malaysia, it reinforces the ambition to be one of the most connected countries in Asia Pacific while driving real tourism revenue.
And with VM 2026 around the corner, this retail transformation is already in motion.
Limited Edition Artist Designed Duty Free Bags
ShopLAH is also tapping into creative culture with limited edition foldable duty free bags designed by Malaysian artists:
• Hsieying
• Kideika
• Daisy Dalia
• Afi Sulaiman
Each design reflects Malaysian heritage, urban life, food culture and sustainability themes. The bags are reusable, making them both a keepsake and a statement.
Collaborations with global brands like Lego add another layer, positioning Malaysian airports as spaces of discovery rather than just waiting lounges.
| Artist: Chaw Hsien Yang | Chaw Hsien Ying is a self-taught artist who grew up in a family with a green thumb, cultivating her love for plants which manifests in her paintings. Her artwork has been featured in Thailand and Singapore. Instagram Handle: @Hsieying |
| Artwork | Malaysia’s rich wildlife and florals come alive in this vibrant Peranakan-inspired design, where tropical blooms such as morning glory and ginger torch surround the Kamcheng jar, traditionally used to store food, water, and treasured items. The design is further adorned with the rhinoceros hornbill and Malayan tapir, highlighting our unique but endangered wildlife. |
| Artist: KIDEIKA (Kide Baharudin & Ika Sharom) | KIDEIKA is a collaboration between Kide Baharudin and Ika Sharom, creative soulmates united by a passion to showcase Malaysian culture to the world through visual art and printmaking. Instagram Handle: @Kideika |
| Artwork | Their piece captures Malaysia’s multicultural history and the harmony of its diverse influences. Set in Kuala Lumpur, it romanticizes everyday scenes—tricycle hawkers, tourists, locals, and minibuses—revealing the quiet beauty of ordinary moments against a vibrant heritage backdrop. |
| Artist: Daisy Dalia | Daisy Dalia comes from an architectural background, giving her a keen eye for detail. She creates art that weaves together diverse cultural crafts, showcasing Malaysia’s beauty and heritage. Her artwork have been showcase throughout Kuching Sarawak Instagram Handle: @DaisyDalia |
| Artwork | Her work, “Anyaman Warisan (Weaving of Heritage),” celebrates tradition by intertwining the art of weaving with batik floral motifs. It reflects how heritage continually blossoms into new forms while staying rooted in tradition. |
| Artist: Afi Sulaiman | Afi Sulaiman began art as a form of therapy and self-expression, which evolved into playful explorations of lines, patterns, textures, and colours, evoking innocence and nostalgia. Instagram Handle: @afisulaiman |
| Artwork | Afi’s piece is inspired by Malaysia’s vibrant foodie culture. It reflects the comfort of sharing meals at roadside stalls, food courts, restaurants or charming neighbourhood eateries. This is where people of all backgrounds come together to share laughter and stories over delicious food. |