Supply chain relationships within airport retailing

Abstract

Airport retailing is an under‐researched area of study. It is also a sector displaying significant year‐on‐year growth. This paper examines the structure of the supply chain within airport retailing and the main factors that differentiate it from its downtown counterpart. It describes the structure and operation of the supply chain within European airport retailing and the main sources of power that retailers and suppliers draw on in the negotiating process. The paper concludes that, relative to other retail sectors, relationships within the airport retailing supply chain are technologically unsophisticated and based on conventional market exchange principles.