International Shoppes embarks on major investment in US airport stores

Matt Greenbaum (left) and Scott Halpern: Leading International Shoppes’ expansion

US. Leading US travel retailer International Shoppes has embarked on a major investment programme across a number of its key airport sites.

At New York JFK International T5 (the JetBlue terminal), the company is more than doubling its retail footprint, from 900sq ft to around 2,000sq ft. The move coincides with the planned shift (effective 1 April) of Aer Lingus to the terminal, which is expected to bring strong duty free spends from Ireland-bound passengers.

International Shoppes Director Matthew Greenbaum told The Moodie Report: “We will expand into another space that lies adjacent to the existing duty free store, and we’ll create a better shopping environment with a stronger offer. This will include some additional branded skincare and cosmetics concepts and an enhanced range of Irish whiskies.” The project should be completed by the end of 2013.

In JFK T1, a newly renovated Montblanc shop-in-shop will open this month as the retailer builds on its broad luxury offer at the terminal. In the past year it has introduced Coach, expanded its Hermès outlet and opened its first Clinique concept store, among other developments.

In Boston Logan Terminal E, the company is adding a number of branded shop-in-shops. These include Kiehl’s, a Montblanc unit (both within the main store), plus a new Michael Kors outlet and a Hugo Boss boutique in space beside the existing shop. These are scheduled to open in June. The company began its duty free contract at the location last year.

“These are exciting developments,” said Greenbaum. “It will be our first collaboration on a store with Michael Kors, as well as our first Kiehl’s outlet. These partnerships will help upgrade the retail environment.”

At Philadelphia, the company has begun a big investment in its stores. The largest store is being remodelled now and will re-open by May. The other three stores are being renovated in the coming months.

Note: International Shoppes will feature in the next print edition of The Moodie Report, which includes a dedicated section on Americas travel retail. The issue appears in April, to coincide with the IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas.

Coach is one of a number of luxury brands introduced recently to JFK T1

[houseAd5]

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine