A welcome departure
Johannesburg’s O R Tambo International Airport is arguably Africa’s busiest air transport hub, and offers not just worldwide connections but also an excellent passenger experience tailored to the needs of sophisticated international travellers.
The retail experience in particular offers passengers the chance to unique souvenirs and gifts as mementoes of their time in the Rainbow Nation, but until this year, there has been one major omission from the line-up of prestigious boutiques in international departures.
With the opening of Ardmore’s new and exclusive retail store, all that has changed – departing international flyers can now enjoy a genuine luxury shopping experience before they board.
Introducing the Ardmore Airport Boutique
The Ardmore Airport Boutique features a wide range of Ardmore ceramic creations, as well as iconic home décor pieces and exquisite fashion items. In short, it offers a flight of fancy into the quirky, colourful world of Africa’s original luxury brand and the opportunity for visitors to South Africa (and South Africans heading overseas) to find perfect gifts for friends and family.
The handcrafted items available at the new Ardmore store are truly unique, and unlike anything else on offer at the airport. Each piece tells a story through the way it was made, the materials and colours chosen by the artist, and the animals and people that inspired them.
Through our iconic ‘Rider’ ceramic pieces (which feature African travellers on the backs of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and other species) and our Explorer-style safari accessories, Ardmore has long been associated with the joys of journeying to new places, and the thrill of discovering mysterious mountains, forests, plains and rivers.
Ardmore’s roots run deep and each of our creations is an authentic snapshot of a moment on safari, or a vignette of village life in rural KwaZulu-Natal, amongst the rolling green hills and sugarcane fields where we founded our first studio. Since then, we have spread our wings to additional locations in Johannesburg and Cape Town – and now South Africa’s most important airport, too.
Before you leave…
The Ardmore Airport Boutique offers a relaxed space away from the hustle and bustle of the concourse. Our knowledgeable sales team is on hand to assist with finding the ideal gift to convey both your emotions and the magic of South Africa.
They can also advise on the process of claiming back VAT – a facility available to non-South African residents who are returning home.
The new Ardmore Airport Boutique offers a truly uplifting experience, and the opportunity to indulge in a unique blend of authentic African artistry and elegance. You can find the Ardmore Airport Boutique in International Departures, Terminal A, adjacent to Håagen-Dazs and opposite the Slow Lounge.