The Wayne County Airport Authority Board, who oversees Detroit
Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW), has approved a new retail program for
the airport’s McNamara Terminal.
The companies awarded contracts
are HMSHost Corp., The Paradies Shops, LS Travel Retail North America
and direct operators Brookstone and Be Relax. A few of the notable
brands coming to the airport are EA Sports, The New York Times, The Wall
Street Journal, The Body Shop and Johnston & Murphy. The program
will also feature several local specialty stores such as the Birmingham,
Mich.-based Mills Pharmacy + Apothecary, and Michigan fitness retailer
Running Fit.
“When the McNamara Terminal opened in 2002, it swept
industry awards and traveler rankings for unmatched customer
satisfaction largely due to the variety of shopping and dining options
it features,” says Tom Naughton, CEO of WCAA. “Ten years later, this new
retail program will position us well to serve changing traveler demands
and expectations well into the decade ahead.”
The new retail
program will also showcase the first airport locations for Time, the
news magazine; Today, NBC’s morning news show; Dylan’s Candy Bar, a
candy store from Dylan Lauren, the daughter of clothing designer Ralph
Lauren; and NBC News. For Porsche Design, the DTW store will be the
concept’s first airport location in the Americas.
The program is
set to include more than $13M in retailer investment in the airport.
Several existing retail stores will remain open for customers as the new
stores are phased in over the coming year. Existing stores such as
L’Occitane, Swarovski, Solar Shades, Crocs, Vino Volo and two Duty Free
Americas stores, in addition to concessions in Concourse C, were not
affected and will continue as part of the new program.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing our new retail locations to Detroit Metropolitan Airport,” says Joe Waller, vice president of business development for HMSHost. “The big winners are the Detroit travelers, as they are going to have the opportunity to experience the next generation of retail in an airport. Cutting edge brands like Desigual, and travel stores like the Wall Street Journal and Time that feature state of the art technology, make shopping easier and more fun, with the added bonus of travelers being able to enjoy a Starbucks drink while they shop. That is a great combination.”
“We’re
thrilled to have the opportunity to rejuvenate the experience in the
McNamara Terminal, a landmark of the U.S. airport system, and to extend
our existing relationship with the Wayne County Airport Authority,” says
Gerry Savaria, president and CEO of LS Travel Retail North America.
The
airport’s Concessions & Quality Assurance Division began developing
the scope for the retail program in the spring of 2011. From August
2011 to February 2012, the airport conducted eight separate community
outreach and business opportunity forums to obtain feedback from
industry experts as well as local, regional, national and international
businesses. The RFP included 37 retail locations, comprising 11
opportunities (2 primes and 9 direct leases). Proposals were asked to
include among other things, a mix of national and local concepts, and
more than 25% ACDBE participation.
“This new retail program will
take Detroit Metro Airport’s Concession program to the next level,” says
Greg Hatcher, director of concessions and quality assurance for DTW.
“It’s more than just new and celebrated brand names – most of these new
concepts completely re-imagine the airport shopping experience by
integrating new and interactive technology, infusing local merchants
with international brands, adding more eco-friendly products,
integrating gourmet coffee and comic books into our new travel stores,
and more.”
The McNamara terminal opened in 2002.
The following is a list of the upcoming stores:
HMSHost Corp.
Desigual – designer apparel
Detroit! – local products and Detroit-themed memorabilia
Creative Kidstuff – merchandise and entertainment for young travelers
Green – A Natural Living Store – eco-minded, organic and recycled goods
Sunglass Icon – designer eyewear
Time (2) – a newsstand and travel store
Wall Street Journal – a newsstand and travel store
Wall Street Journal/ Starbucks (2) – a newsstand and travel store
Z Market – travel store
ZoZo – specialty gifts
LS Travel Retail
Erwin Pearl – jewelry and accessories
Michigan Sports – licensed merchandise from Michigan sports teams
Porsche Design – luggage, gifts and accessories inspired by Porsche
The Economist/Caribou Coffee – a newsstand and travel store
The Paradies Shops
Brighton Collectibles – designer fashion accessories for women
Brooks Brothers – casual and business clothier
Brookstone – travel and lifestyle products
CNBC smartshop (2) – travel store and newsstand
CNBC smartshop/Tim Hortons – travel store and newsstand
Dylan’s Candy Bar – bulk candies
EA Sports – sports merchandise, gaming and interactive entertainment
Johnston & Murphy – premium footwear and accessories
NBC News – travel store and newsstand
New York Times Books and News/Tim Hortons – travel store and newsstand
Pandora – designer jewelry
PGA Tour Shop – golf boutique and interactive simulator
Running Fit – shoes and apparel
Soundbalance – electronics and accessories
Spanx & The Body Shop – body-shaping clothing for men and women
Today – travel store and newsstand
Be Relax (direct operator) – full service spa
Brookstone (direct operator) – travel and lifestyle products
