Aldeasa S.A. · Madrid Spain

Aldeasa, Spain's #1 operator of duty-free shops, runs about 270 travel shops, gift boutiques, and outlets in museums, historic and cultural centers, and other tourist locations. Most of its stores are in Spain, but it also has operations in about a dozen other countries, including Portugal, Chile, Peru, and the US. Besides the usual tobacco and liquor products, Aldeasa sells cosmetics, watches, food, and more -- much of it brand names; it also sells online. Many of Aldeasa's stores were duty-free until the EU prohibited such trade for intra-European travel. The company is owned by Italy's Autogrill, which bought out its joint venture partner Altadis in April 2008. To read the full description, subscribe now.