Here’s the thing I’ve learned after too many early mornings and late nights at Manchester. Always check the airport’s official shop list before you go. It sounds boring, but it’s like checking the weather before a picnic. You’ll save yourself the disappointment of walking past a closed Hugo Boss while smelling like regret.
And remember: even if the shops are closed, the toilets are open, the seating is free, and the WiFi is terrible enough to make you nostalgic for dial-up. Just embrace the chaos. If you’re there at 7 AM, you’ll find coffee, a perfume spritz, and a sense of purpose. If you’re there at 4 AM, you’re basically a ghost haunting an airport shopping center. Pick your time wisely, and may your gate be near a functioning coffee shop.
