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How International Shoppes’ new store front will look once renovation and expansion work is complete on its biggest outlet at New York JFK Terminal 8 |
US. Leading US duty free retailer International Shoppes has extended its concession at New York JFK International Airport Terminal 8 by ten years, taking it to 2022. And the company has outlined some big plans to extend and upgrade its business at the location.
The company’s new concession begins in the fourth quarter of this year, when it will also embark on a series of major upgrades and renovations at its main duty free store plus two satellite stores. Work on the projects should be completed by Q2 2013, International Shoppes Vice President Matthew Greenbaum told The Moodie Report today.
He said: “This is a huge development for us. JFK is our home base so it’s really important to keep our business here, and to grow it where we can. The passenger profile at T8 has changed since we began operating here [T8 opened in stages between 2005 and 2007 -Ed] and we have been adapting to that change. We have been making the offer more premium and adding more personalisation to the major categories, and that will be taken to the next level in the latest phase of development.”
The company’s main 5,500sq ft duty free store will be extended to over 6,000sq ft, with a new design and importantly, a wider, more inviting shop entrance than exists today.
“We are moving the store front closer to the security checkpoint and doubling the size of the entrances,” said Greenbaum. “That will really open up the space.”
The retailer will also extend the luxury boutique offer inside the store, where it already operates a number of shop-in-shops. The key brands that will enjoy boutique space in the new store include Tag Heuer, Hermès, Montblanc, Salvatore Ferragamo and Gucci. A Godiva shop-in-shop will also open.
“The most impactful change in the new store will occur in fragrances & cosmetics,” noted Greenbaum. “Previously we had very little personalisation, particularly in skincare, but now we will have branded back walls and gondolas for brands such as Chanel, La Mer, Clarins and Lancôme. And we will upgrade our Clinique shop-in-shop to the brand’s latest look and design.”
Other developments will include the creation of a tasting bar for liquor in the heart of that category, and a new-look tobacco zone that takes account of new guidelines around the removal of self service within the category. A similar initiative has already been rolled out at the company’s Boston Airport stores.
International Shoppes’ two satellite stores in T8 will also undergo upgrades. These include one 1,100sq ft store, plus another 700sq ft unit that will be increased to around 1,000sq ft.
The main store renovation and expansion will occur in stages, with the outlet remaining open to customers throughout the project. The two smaller satellite stores will each close for a period during the work.
Terminal 8 is the hub for American Airlines traffic at JFK, but also handles Air Berlin, Finnair, Malev, Jet Airways, LAN and Royal Jordanian. It had around 5 million enplanements in 2011.
International Shoppes extended its contract after direct negotiation with terminal commercial manager Westfield and principal user American Airlines.
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The retailer has been extending its luxury portfolio at JFK recently; the latest addition is a new Coach boutique at JFK T1 |
