Tesco has chosen Glasgow Airport as the location for its first airport store. The Tesco Express, its c-store format, will cater to vacation travelers making last-minute travel purchases, airport workers, as well as returning passengers who need to buy groceries before heading home.
The store will be open 24 hours and offer a wide range of goods similar to those seen in Tesco Express stores across the United Kingdom, including dairy products, pre-prepared meals, breads, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. The size of the average Tesco Express is about 2,000 square feet versus about 40,000 square feet for Tesco's standard supermarket. Perhaps most surprisingly, the airport store's prices will be the same as a typical Tesco Express.
"It means a huge improvement in the choice available to our passengers and staff in the terminal," said Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, in a statement.
While outgoing passengers are seen as part of the store's target mix, the airport's more than 5,000 workers are also expected find use for the store. But a particular target is arriving passengers.
Tesco surveyed passengers at Glasgow Airport to find out what home comforts they missed on vacation. More than a third named Irn-Bru, Scotland's national drink. That was followed closely by square or lorne sausage, tattie scones, black pudding and Tunnocks Teacakes.
Tesco's Mr. McElry said in the statement that the store "will allow us to cater for those holidaymakers arriving home and looking for a fantastic range of Scottish favorites at a great Tesco price."
The new store will open in the autumn, creating around 20 jobs.
Discussion Questions: What do you think of Tesco's approach to operating a convenience store in an airport? Is this an opportunity for c-store retailers in the U.S.?