Dallas plans brand-driven offer at new terminal

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The world's sixth largest airport hoping to attract national brands and internationally renowned retailers to its new international terminal, vice president of airport concessions Pat Gleason tells TRW

Dallas Fort Worth airport has issued tender documents for nearly 60 retail and food and beverage locations at its new international terminal D, scheduled to open next June. The results of the tender process, which covers 34 retail and 24 catering outlets totalling 73,000sq ft (6,784sq m) of floor space, will be announced in the first week of October.

Vice president for airport concessions Pat Gleason told TRW that the stores in the new terminal, which will be located on two levels a few minutes walk from the boarding gates, will benefit from improved visibility and passenger flow.

?The biggest improvement will be the layout of the new terminal,? he explained. ?At the moment we have no central area for concessions?they are spread out over the length of the terminal, which is up to a mile long. We'd like to see more jewellery, fashion, accessories and leathergoods stores than we have today because frankly our current retail offer is very basic.?

Gleason said the new retail programme would rely more heavily on national and international brand names rather than local retailers. ?About 65% of our passengers are in transit so it makes sense to focus on a more brand-driven offer. We've found stores with a local theme don't tend to do too well,? he added.