US. Minnesota Retail Partners (MRP) has added a number of new stores to its offer at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
Several of the Twin Cities’ most popular retail concepts have recently made their airport debuts including: Department 56, Minnesota’s internationally recognized collectibles and giftware brand; The Red Balloon, St. Paul’s popular children’s bookshop; and Radio Road, a trend-setting clothing store designed for women on the move. All three have been extremely popular with passengers, the retailer said.
Sales have been brisk. Department 56’s wide-array of villages, ornaments and gifts, popular with collectors worldwide, have been selling well. Likewise the Red Balloon’s “outstanding” selection of children’s books and interactive learning tools specially designed to engage and challenge young minds has proved a hit with travellers. Voted Minnesota’s favorite children’s bookshop, Red Balloon’s airport location is a shop-in-shop within the airport’s Authors’ Bookstore location.
Another new concept proving popular with parents and grandparents is Fly Babies, a colorful and individual mix of trendy outfits and accessories for infants and toddlers, presented within the Radio Road concept.
A Minnesota-based airport retailer with stores in 12 major airports, CBR has teamed with HMSHost to form Minneapolis Retail Partners, a joint venture with plans to build and operate 37 retail shops as part of Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport’s Northstar Crossing remodeling and expansion programme.
As part of this initiative, MRP has also opened Lakeside News Connection, a newsstand concept that celebrates Minnesota’s great outdoors. Over the next six weeks, MRP plans to open another Lakeside News location along with two Fox News Channel Newsstands, featuring direct “˜real time’ feeds from the Fox News Channel and more than 1,700 periodical titles catering to all topics and interests.
“We couldn’t be happier with these stores,” said Carole Howe, President of CBR. “The Twin Cities has a distinct spirit of creativity and independence. All three new concepts capture the energy and colour of the Twin Cities’ shopping scene. And this is just the beginning of the excitement we have planned.”
Looking ahead, MRP plans to introduce a variety of new and proven brands to the airport including: Field & Stream, Minnesota’s original outfitter; Travel Beauty, featuring cosmetics from Estée Lauder and Clinique; Cielo, a contemporary silver gallery showcasing jewelry and giftware with an emphasis on design; and Kipling, featuring a broad assortment of fashion bags, totes, backpacks, luggage and travel accessories.
Jack McCarthy, President and CEO of HMSHost, said he sees a bright future at Northstar Crossing. “It’s a gratifying experience to help the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) realise its vision for this outstanding concessions program,” he said. “Working closely with MAC, the MRP joint-venture is bringing a dynamic mix of proven brands and new concepts for Twin Cities passengers. As Northstar Crossing’s evolution continues, they will have access to an ever-expanding variety of experiences that will set a new standard for airport shopping and dining.”
About CBR
CBR Incorporated is a seasoned specialty retailer with 30 years experience developing and managing unique retail concepts in the airport environment. MSP has special significance for CBR, since it is home to the first of its 37 stores located in 12 major airports.
About HMSHost
Owned by Aldeasa co-owner in waiting, Autogrill, HMSHost operates in more than 70 airport locations around the world, including 22 of the 25 busiest airports in North America.
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