UK fragrance expert warns airport duty‑free perfume prices can be ten times retail

Daniel Grimes, founder of fragrance‑research site ScentVerdict, says the airport departure lounge is the worst place on Earth to buy perfume. Travelers are rushed and persuaded by the “duty‑free” label, often paying up to ten times the normal retail price.

The analysis highlights Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry, which retails at about £300 for a 100 ml bottle, while 14 UK dupes sell comparable versions for a median of £30. Similar price gaps appear across Britain’s most popular fragrances, with originals ranging from £89 to £310 and dupes typically around £30, regardless of the original’s cost. Grimes advises shoppers to decide before they fly rather than buying at the gate.