US. Travel retailer Hudson Group and its partners have been selected to upgrade the news/gift and specialty retail concession programme at Nashville International Airport (BNA).
As part of a long-awaited terminal renovation, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) had requested proposals to enhance the airport’s retail shopping amenities. The available spaces were grouped into two separate packages. Following a competitive bidding process, the authority awarded both packages – all the available retail space – to Hudson and its partners – J&B Enterprises, CBR, Inc. and Olympic Supply, Inc.
The MNAA’s Board of Commissioners announced its decision to award the 10-year contract to Hudson yesterday.
MNAA President & CEO Raul Regalado said: “The Authority is eager to provide a full range of exciting shops and services for airport travellers and employees. Hudson Group has a proven track record for creating award-winning store designs, high levels of customer service, and appealing merchandise selections. Their proposal was successful because it was created in response to customer input regarding the concepts and merchandise travellers want most.”
Hudson Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph DiDomizio said: “We are delighted to be coming to Nashville. This is a new market for us, which we expect will generate additional revenues of some US$200 million over the life of the contract.”
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Hudson Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph DiDomizio: “This is a new market for us, which we expect will generate additional revenues of some US$200 million over the life of the contract.” |
Hudson’s winning proposal is a targeted mix of newsstands, bookstores and specialty retail concepts that are specifically designed to meet the airport’s requirements “while capturing the distinctive sounds, flavours and spirit of Nashville”.
The line-up of stores includes:
• Seven Hudson News newsstands (with various themes, such as patriotic, music, mountain and museum)
• Two Rhythm Shine shoeshine stands (operated by J&B Enterprises)
• Two Hudson Booksellers/Papyrus locations
• A gourmet sweet shop (Godiva and Leon’s Pralines)
• A golf apparel and memorabilia store (In Celebration of Golf)
• A combination toy and lifestyle store for kids and adults (Discovery Channel Airport Store and Kids Works)
• Designer sunglasses (Sunglass Hut)
• Upscale Native American jewellery, and trendy apparel for women and children (Spirit of the Red Horse, Radio Road and Fly Babies, operated by CBR Inc)
• Nashville Star (including Nashville Kitchen, Christmas in Nashville and Discover Nashville Music City boutiques)
• CMT (Country Music Television)
• Sony BMG (Music of every genre)
The stores will celebrate Nashville’s most famous export – music – in every form, from live performance and karaoke recording spaces, to on-screen videos, to DVD listening stations, to CDs reflecting not only country music, but also every musical taste.
Hudson noted: “All of the stores have been custom designed with a décor that reflects the flavour, feel and culture of Nashville. Customers will immediately know that they are in Nashville and that the merchandise they want is easily available.”
ABOUT HUDSON GROUP
Hudson Group is a privately-held corporation that operates more than 500 newsstands, bookstores and premier specialty retail shops in 66 airports and transportation terminals throughout North America.
The company’s flagship concept, Hudson News, is North America’s only national newsstand brand. Hudson Group specialty retail shops include such proprietary brands as Hudson Booksellers, Kids Works, Euro Cafe, $10/$15 Boutique, and more. Other national brands partnering with Hudson Group include Discovery Channel, CNN, Crabtree & Evelyn, Godiva Chocolatier, Roots, House of Blues, Sunglass Hut, Quiznos and Life Is good.
MORE STORIES ON NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND ON HUDSON GROUP
HMSHost lands US$182 million food & beverage contract at Nashville International Airport – 07/08/06
Hudson Group and CNN agree exclusive co-branding deal at airports – 02/06/06
Hudson Group lands seven-year extension at JFK T4; renovates flagship store – 10/05/06
Hudson Group wins three new contracts at US airports – 24/03/06
