Richmond, Virginia; Sept. 1, 2005 - The Hudson Group is pleased to announce that AMS-NIA Richmond JV, a joint venture composed of Hudson Group and the Virginia-based Nia Corporation, has been selected by the Capital Region Airport Commission to develop four news/gift and specialty retail stores to serve the passengers and employees of Richmond International Airport.
"We are delighted to have been chosen to bring our award-winning news/gift and specialty store concepts to Richmond," says Joseph DiDomizio, Executive Vice President, Hudson Group.
Plans call for maximizing sales in each of the four locations by providing for multi-concept stores, or "stores-within-stores." The large main atrium store will feature four brands - Hudson News, Hudson Booksellers, Kids Works and Discover Virginia, designed to reflect both Virginia's appealing location and its historical significance. Similar stores will be built in Concourses A and B.
"The anchor store," explains Mr. DiDomizio, "will have something for everyone - a broad range of magazine and book titles; nationally branded children's merchandise from Dora the Explorer to Spiderman; and the best merchandise from local museums and cultural institutions, including the Museum of the Confederacy, Virginia Museum of Fine Art and the Science Museum of Virginia."
According to Jon E. Mathiasen, A.A.E, President and CEO, Richmond International Airport, "We are excited to bring the AMS-NIA package to the airport. Their top-line newsstands and specialty shops will be a fitting complement to the extensive selection of concessions that we offer. In addition, the multi-store configuration will enhance the satisfaction, convenience and overall experience of our passengers."
Hudson Group and Nia Corporation, a certified Virginia Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) owned by Rosa and Hugo Owens of Chesapeake, began their relationship in 1999 in the news, gift and specialty retail operations in Norfolk International Airport. Hudson and Nia again partnered in Roanoke Regional Airport and at Greater Rochester Airport in New York. Richmond marks their fourth pairing.
Hudson Group operates more than 450 premier specialty retail shops, newsstands and bookstores in 54 airports throughout North America. Under the familiar blue "Hudson News" sign can be found the most complete selection of magazines in the aviation industry, displayed full face in brightly lighted racks. The stores also carry local and national newspapers, along with a variety of travelers' necessities, snacks and bottled soft drinks.