USA. American speciality travel retailer Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, both WHSmith companies, have opened ten concepts at the new Kansas City Airport Terminal.
The retail mix includes The Market at 18th & Vine, a one-stop-shop offering travel essentials located at the security checkpoint into Concourse A. It pays homage to the long-standing city landmark, the 18th & Vine jazz district. The store features an interactive keyboard at the rear, evoking a sense of the jazz era.
The group also opened the Made in KC Marketplace which houses dozens of local vendors and makers, including Skin, Growing Days and Christopher Elbow, as well as a Lego Travel store.
The City Market KC, a replica of the oldest market in the Midwest, features an eclectic mix of local vendors in Concourse B.
Turn the Page KC bookstore in Concourse B is named after a local non-profit literacy organisation. It displays an enormous sculpture of a book hanging from the ceiling, which was commissioned in celebration of the partnership.
Other retail attractions are the bright and modern The Pitch newsstand and gift shop; a sleek InMotion tech accessories store; and Brookside Local, modelled after the quaint, walkable shopping neighbourhood in Kansas City.
In addition to these diverse retail options, MRG has also introduced its first automated retail solutions at the new terminal which provides travellers with round-the-clock access to key brands. Among them is an InMotion Kiosk. The brand now has up to 162 stores worldwide, with more expected to open.
Reflecting the local character of the city, many of these stores were created and designed in collaboration with MRG’s Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners, who were instrumental in supporting the curation of local products from local businesses and organisations.
MRG and InMotion CEO Toby Keir said: “We are so excited to welcome Kansas City travellers into these unique stores, and we are proud of the grand accomplishment this project has represented for the team.”
“We want to express our gratitude to Kansas City Aviation Department, Vantage Airport Group, as well as all our partners and colleagues who had a hand in this project.”
Vantage Airport Group’s Vice President Commercial Sammy Patel also commented: “MRG has helped to deliver on our vision to bring the very best of Kansas City to MCI’s retail programme, to create unique customer focused retail experiences delivering the essence of Kansas City and the region to the travelling public.”
Kansas City Missouri Director of Aviation Patrick Klein said: “This is an exciting week for the city of Kansas City as we celebrate the opening of Single Terminal at MCI.”
“With partners like Marshall Retail Group, the state-of-the-art terminal and the creative concepts within will make a last impression on travellers.” ✈
