Eurotunnel stores
BAA takes over duty-free shops
EUROTUNNEL is to hand over the running of its duty-free and retail facilities at its Folkestone and Calais terminals to BAA.
The 15-year partnership is to begin on July 1, irrespective of whether duty-free is abolished on June 30. BAA says it plans to invest in the terminal building and expand the range of goods, catering and services available. Chief executive Sir John Egan said the contract is expected to generate over ú100m in sales by 2000, even if duty-free goes. He said the deal constitutes BAA’s first substantial retail contract in mainland Europe for its specialist travel retail subsidiary World Duty-Free.
Eurotunnel retail director Bruce McKendrick said: “We need to focus on our activities in running transport – we are not a retailer.”