Southwest Florida favours Paradies Shops for new terminal

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A special management committee dedicated to developing Southwest Florida International airport's new terminal has elected Paradies Shops as its first choice retail operator for the facility

A special management committee dedicated to developing Southwest Florida International airport's new terminal has elected Paradies Shops as its first choice retail operator for the facility. Local media reports suggest the committee has unanimously favoured Paradies' proposal over those of two other contenders.

The proposal is for 14 speciality, news and gift outlets covering roughly 17,500sq ft (1,626sq m) in the new terminal, due to open in spring 2005. Paradies' proposal includes Brightons Collectibles, a high-end retailer of leather accessories, A Day at the Beach, offering tropical apparel and local art, wine and nautical goods, the first airport store for Chico's womenswear and The PGA Tour Shop.

The panel's selection will now be sent forward to the Lee county commissioner and port authority for approval at it November meeting. The port authority will issue separate tender proposals for other retail activities, including crystal, watches and jewellery, a regional spa selling soaps and scents, chocolates and possibly a duty-free shop.

Paradies operates more than 325 stores in 60 airports in the US and Canada, and has recorded 42 consecutive years of sales growth, with 2002 sales of $239m.