East Rutherford, NJ - November 21, 2011 - A partnership team led by premier travel retailer Hudson Group has received approval from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) and the Clark County Commission to develop space in the airport's Concourse D rotunda into a specialty retail shopping mall.
Six new retail stores will be built in the rotunda area, which is located in the area where passengers from the main terminal exit the airport tram. Three in-line stores (Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture and Guess) will be placed at the outer edge of the rotunda. Kiosks in the center will house Kiehl's skin and hair care products, a Tech on the Go electronics store and more. The new shops will be open within a year.
On Nov. 1, the County Commission voted unanimously to approve the airport staff recommendation to extend Hudson's lease by a decade, to 2030, in return for the commitment to spend $15.5 million on concessions throughout the airport, including the rotunda. The lease includes 22 newsstands and specialty retail shops, encompassing some 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Hudson began operations in the airport in 2003.
"This new mall creates a unique shopping environment showcasing upscale, universally recognized brands," said Hudson Group President & CEO Joseph DiDomizio. "The new stores will contribute significantly to airport revenues."
Randall Walker, director of the Clark County Department of Aviation, said, "Travelers are willing to shop, and shop before they get to the gate. The idea behind the rotunda mall follows that seen in many foreign airports, where passengers frequently must pass through a maze of shops going from security to the gates."
Hudson's airport-wide sales are running significantly ahead of last year's sales at LAS.
DiDomizio concluded: "We are thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with McCarran's outstanding concessions team, and to be part of the airport's ongoing growth and development. Ours is a great working relationship, and we appreciate the business-minded approach the McCarran team demonstrates every day. We are glad for the opportunity to continue our history of service to the airport. Our ongoing goal is to continue to maximize customer service, revenue and rent to the airport and the County."
About Hudson Group: Hudson Group is a travel retail specialist that operates more than 550 premier newsstands, bookstores, cafes and specialty retail shops in 69 airports and transportation terminals throughout North America. The company's flagship concept, Hudson News, is North America's only national newsstand brand. Under the familiar blue sign can be found the most complete selection of magazines in the aviation industry, along with newspapers and a wide variety of travelers' necessities, snacks and bottled soft drinks. Hudson Group's other concepts include such proprietary brands as Hudson Booksellers, Kids Works and Euro Café. Other national brands partnering with Hudson Group include Crabtree & Evelyn, Godiva Chocolatier, House of Blues, Life is good, Quiznos and Sunglass Hut. For more information, visit www.hudsongroup.com.