Tourist shopping in transit: The case of BAA plc

This case study examines the development of travel retailing within the UK’s major airports between 1987 and 1999. The paper reviews the strategic marketing and business developments undertaken by BAA plc since privatisation as it has developed its retailing division. The development of retailing concepts in its airports, joint partnerships at non-airport sites and acquisitions are examined. The impact of the abolition of intra-European Union tax and duty-free sales from July 1999 is looked at, and the future of BAA’s retailing strategies is considered.