Beginning Feb. 1, travelers at Lambert-St. Louis International (STL) will have a new lineup of national stores and brands from at which to shop.
The St. Louis Airport Commission has approved a 10-year contract with a joint venture of Hudson Group, HG-St. Louis JV, which also includes a three-year option. Under the agreement, the airport is guaranteed a minimum of $13M in the first three years of the contract, and $41M over the full term. The contract next goes to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for final approval.
“Our expert team of designers, merchandisers, marketers, concessions operators and developers canvassed the airport and the city to produce this proposal for innovative concessions at STL,” says Joe DiDomizio, president and CEO of Hudson Group. “We are proud to say that we have developed for the airport a concessions program that will exceed the core convenience needs of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport’s employees and travelers. It will also offer a wide selection of fun, compelling and up-to-date retail brands and concepts – local, regional, national and international names that will appeal both to residents and visitors to St. Louis.”
HG-St. Louis JV is a joint venture comprised of Hudson Group Retail LLC; Final Phase Marketing Inc., based in St. Louis, Mo.; OHM Concession Group LLC of St. Ann, Mo.; and Newburns Management Group LLC, an experienced Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise operator.
The JV will operate 14 retail locations with proposed national concepts including the flagship Hudson store, selling news, magazines, books, snacks and technology; Ebony News; Eddie Bauer, offering clothes and accessories; Spectacles, featuring sunglasses; Kids Works, with educational toys and games; and Bliss, which will sell lotions and spa products and be the first airport location.
The proposed concepts also feature a focus on St. Louis. The Discover St. Louis boutique will feature souvenirs and mementos from all the leading cultural institutions in the city, including all the attractions at the Jefferson National Parks (including The Gateway Arch), Peabody Opera, St. Louis Art Museum, as well as entertainment attractions like the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Blues, and Washington University of St. Louis. St. Louis Sports store will promote the great pro and college teams in the region selling licensed merchandise and mementos.
“Overall, we think we had a great response from all three bidders, including The Paradies Shops, which has been a great partner at Lambert for two decades,” says Lambert Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge. “In the end, Hudson developed a package with the highest revenue guarantees and a competitive retail program that includes new and refreshing concepts.”
HMSHost Corp. also submitted a bid.
