HMSHost wins major Atlanta contracts

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The retailer has also unveiled the concepts it will implement at San José International airport

US operator HMSHost has won two new retail contracts at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport. The contracts, which will run until 2015 and are expected to generate accumulated sales of over $270m, include 32 points of sale covering about 1,700sq m (18,298sq ft) of space in concourses A, B and T.

The offer, formulated in partnership with local operators Shellis Management Services and Trans Air Concessions, includes the first stand-alone Bvlgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna and Sean John stores at a US airport, in addition to a Lancôme Beauty Lounge and Kiehl’s, LeSportsac and Swarovski shops. According to HMSHost, these international brands will create an “avenue of luxury boutiques” to enhance the travellers’ shopping experience. Musician Jay Z’s Rocawear lifestyle brand will also be available at concourse T, together with a Harley-Davidson outlet. The regional concepts include an Atlanta Magazine’s HOME store and Southern Living News, while a Southern Flavors shop will offer products and cookbooks from well-known local chefs.

Atlanta airport general manager of aviation Ben DeCosta said: “As the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson is a centre for international travel, but it is also the ‘local’ airport for residents of Georgia and beyond. The City Council selected HMSHost because its retail offerings reflect Atlanta’s dual role as international gateway and hub of Southern culture and fashion.”

HMSHost senior vice-president retail Joan Ryzner added: “Get ready for an incredible retail experience when you visit the Atlanta airport. The new brand line-up at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport will raise the bar for high-end, luxury retail concessions in North American travel venues. Travellers are seeking the convergence of great shopping and dining in airports—and, they want to shop global and local brands. Atlanta is leading this trend by giving passengers unprecedented access to both.” 

At San José International airport, HMSHost has won one retail contract and one food and beverage deal, as previously reported on DFNIonline. They will cover 26 points of sale spanning over 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft) in the airport’s new terminal B and in terminal A’s extension, where the first openings are scheduled for mid-2009. The contracts are expected to generate total accumulated sales of more than $330m in the period from 2009 to 2020.

New retail brands to be introduced at the airport include California’s Pacific Outfitters, offering luggage, gear and accessories from travel brands including Samsonite, Kipling and Victorinox Swiss Army; Techshowcase, where customers can try new products from BlackBerry, Sony, Nokia and other brands; and Sunglass Icon, which will include the latest styles from Gucci, Maui Jim, Revo and Oakley.

San José International airport director of aviation Bill Sherry said: “HMSHost has delivered quality experiences to our passengers for more than 40 years. As we build our new airport for the 21st century, HMSHost has adapted to meet the expectations both of our community and our travellers for an airport that reflects the local personality of San José and the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley.”

HMSHost senior vice-president business development Pat Banducci concluded: “Travellers to and from San José will have a taste of local shopping and food in this great city from the moment they step into the airport. With the addition of these stores and restaurants to the new terminal, HMSHost plans to be a part of the San José community and to make the traveller’s day better for quite some time.”