USA. Dufry company Hudson and The House of LR&C, co-owned by Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson and Grammy winning singer-songwriter Ciara, have struck a travel retail partnership. The fashion house is a minority-owned business with strong sustainability credentials for its clothing and other aspects of its operations.
Two clothing lines from The House of LR&C – Good Man Brand and LITA by Ciara – will be stocked in US and Canada airports, available exclusively in selected Hudson-operated duty free and specialty retail stores.
The brand will debut early in 2023 in Hudson’s Gallery ORD store at Chicago O’Hare International Airport Terminal 5. Additional locations are soon to be announced.
Hudson said that the introduction of the brand to airport stores brings together the retailer’s broad reach in the travel industry with The House of LR&C’s celebrity influence. This, it added, will allow the two retailers to generate large-scale positive impact from brand accessibility to championing causes that matter.
Freda Cheung, Executive Vice President, Duty Free and Chair of Hudson’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, said: “Hudson has always prioritised giving back and creating development opportunities for the minority-owned companies we do business with.
“The House of LR&C shares many of the same values as we do, and is a strong representation of how a brand ethos can lead to meaningful change. Together, we are confident that we will connect travellers to what is important to them, while also delivering a shopping experience that is better for our communities.”
“The addition of The House of LR&C to our stores showcases Hudson’s ongoing commitment to partner with new and emerging brands to exceed our traveller’s expectations for the most modern and innovative retail environments” – Hudson CEO Jordi Martin-Consuegra
The House of LR&C Co-Founder and CEO Christine Day said: “We have worked hard at building a company that really resonates and means something to the consumer and what is important to them.
“Our new strategic partnership with Hudson allows us to reach even more people in a way that furthers our mission of making sustainable fashion the effortless choice, while leaving minimal impact on the planet.”
Good Man Brand and LITA by Ciara are described as accessible and sustainable luxury clothing lines inspired by the iconic, fashion-forward styles of Russell Wilson and Ciara.
The menswear line includes a collection of crewnecks, polos, top-rated sneakers and other apparel. LITA (which stands for “love is the answer”) by Ciara offers a selection of contemporary dresses, sweaters, outerwear, and accessories.
Hudson CEO Jordi Martin-Consuegra said: “One of the greatest strengths of our portfolio – whether in travel convenience, specialty retail, duty free, or food and beverage – is that we offer the best brands and product selection.
“The addition of The House of LR&C to our stores showcases Hudson’s ongoing commitment to partner with new and emerging brands to exceed our traveller’s expectations for the most modern and innovative retail environments.”
The partnership announcement comes at a time when both retailers are making significant strides in advancing their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Hudson, its parent company Dufry, and The House of LR&C are philanthropic partners working to break down barriers in local communities.
Additionally, Hudson, Dufry and The House of LR&C are advocates of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Further, Dufry and The House of LR&C are signatory members of the UN Global Compact and have identified carbon neutrality targets.
Hudson is a long-time supporter of the Communities in Schools project, and has raised more than US$4 million through a point of sale campaign. The retailer is also well-known for working with minority-owned businesses through the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programme.
To celebrate the new partnership, Hudson and The House of LR&C will host a fashion show fundraiser today at the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Airport Business Diversity Conference in Chicago, featuring a video appearance from Russell Wilson and Ciara.
A portion of the proceeds from purchases at the event will be donated to the AMAC Foundation, which supports minorities and women pursuing careers in the aviation industry.
