Where to Shop at LAX

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America’s third busiest airport has plenty of retail options for last minute purchases before you fly, or killing time should your flight get delayed. Some of the shops here are huge: Bvlgari, for example, is over 1,000 square feet, while Fred Segal is over 2,000.

Airport development company Westfield has added several shops to the airport’s lineup over the past few years, while United and Southwest Airlines are both investing hundreds of millions of dollars into airport renovations. The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) in particular has great options, featuring a number of the same shops that line Rodeo Drive.

The Standouts

M. Fredric

This mini version of the LA-based chain of boutiques is dedicated to grab-and-go contemporary fashions (there are no dressing rooms, after all) from SoCal favorite brands like Michael Stars, Wildfox, and Elan. Terminal 6; departure level

Fred Segal

Another local favorite, Fred Segal’s huge airport store carries the same hip brands you’d find in its famous Los Angeles shops. Claire Vivier’s minimalist and buttery soft leather bags share shelf space with local skincare brands like OSEA Malibu and Baxter of California. TBIT; Great Hall

Photo: Westfield Airports

Rip Curl

This surf-and-swim Australian brand is great if you’re heading for a beach vacation and want to add to whatever is already in your suitcase. The apparel selection isn’t necessarily the best but there are lots of brightly patterned trunks and bikinis, plus sunglasses and sunscreen, too. Terminal 5; departure level

Victoria’s Secret

Whether you forgot to pack underwear or just want to pick up something extra like PJs, athletic wear, or lingerie, Victoria’s Secret has you covered. The airport shop also stocks the brand’s bath and body products if you need to grab lotion or lip gloss. TBIT; Great Hall

Bliss

This brands great-smelling (and well packaged) body lotions are pretty effective, and the TSA-approved travel-size shampoos, cleansers, and more make the shop a good place to stop if you’ve forgotten something at home. Or you can just pass through for the gratis mini facials. TBIT; South Concourse

Photo: Westfield Airports

Shops by Terminal

TBIT

Like most airports, LAX’s international terminal houses the fanciest shops. To name a few, this terminal has Coach, Bvlgari, Emporio Armani, Fred Segal, Michael Kors, Porsche Design, and Hugo Boss.

Not quite as high-end, but Sanrio (the company that produces Hello Kitty paraphernalia), Bliss, and Victoria’s Secret are located here, too. Bonus: The duty free shop’s Jo Malone section is known to give out free hand massages.

Terminals 1–4

LAX’s smaller terminals are a bit short-changed on the shopping. In Terminal 1, pop into Be Relax — a makeshift spa — for nice-looking headphones and eye masks, or Sol Surf for swimwear. Terminal 2 has a Spanx, while Terminal 4 has a Sunglass Hut.

Terminals 5–8

The store directories at Terminals 5–8 are slightly more fleshed out (thankfully). Five is home to Rip Curl, a swim and surf retailer. The Mattel Experience store has a lot of the toymaker’s famed creations (but you’re really coming here to look at all the Barbies). Terminal 6 has a MAC, Belkin (for well designed gadgets), and an outpost of LA’s trendy boutique M. Fredric. Terminal 7 has a Hugo Boss satellite and a shop dedicated to Harley Davidson merch.