USA. New York JFK International Airport Terminal 4 was officially opened on Friday (24 May) following the completion of its US$1.4 billion redevelopment. The terminal features the first instalments of a strong new commercial offer, enabled by the shifting of the main concessions area airside in March.
The terminal, operated by Schiphol Group subsidiary JFKIAT and occupied by Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways, has been extended by 346,000sq ft at Concourse B – making the 2 million sq ft concourse one of the largest in North America.
Among the commercial highlights at the renewed terminal will be a completely renewed duty free offer from DFS Group, eventually to comprise around 20,000sq ft of retailing space; 18 shops operated by Saveria USA; and 14 newsstand and fashion concessions managed by Hudson Group’s local joint venture, as reported previously.
JFKIAT Vice President Concession Management Ed Midgley said: “The plan is to be completely finished by the first quarter of 2014, and to put all the finishing touches on retail during that quarter, such as lighting and other details. We think our programme is going to be pretty unique in the marketplace.”
DFS, which has operated at T4 for 10 years, is building an 11,000sq ft offer in the main hall – including a big store in space previously occupied by the flagship Hudson News outlet. A further 9,000sq ft will be added later on Concourses A and B.
Hudson Group’s portfolio includes five new specialty shops featuring fashion icons Michael Kors, Coach, Thomas Pink, Solstice and Victoria’s Secret, seven new Hudson travel essentials stores, and a Discover New York souvenir shop. The stores will open in three phases between May and October of this year.
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Key fashion brands will be at the core of Hudson’s new concession line up |
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Saveria previously operated multi-brand specialty retail stores post-security, but will soon be offering a number of individually branded in-line stores. Boutiques include Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Guess/Desigual, Tumi, Swarovski, Longchamps, Juicy Couture. Kenneth Cole and a watches and sunglasses store.
The retail programme will feature several other high-end, free-standing boutiques as well as a stand-alone build-out for the Metropolitan Museum of Art store (MOMA).
Completing the retail and services offer in the new Terminal 4, Pacific Gateway Concessions has added two BluWire electronics stores, and there will be two new Travel-X currency exchange units on the B extension, along with a number of new and renovated Xpress Spa units.
Midgley added that big changes in the food & beverage offer aim to create an offering that complements the retail environment.
“In the retail hall we have taken out the fast food, and included seating in all of the restaurants,” he said. “We have one common seating area for about 180 guests, but we have moved away from the Food Court or Dining Terrace concept.
“With all the restaurants in the retail hall now offering seating, we think this enhances the retail environment. Even the McDonald’s has seating. This is a change for us. We really wanted to create the right shopping environment.”
The terminal redevelopment project, which included the addition of nine new international gates and the renovation of seven existing gates, is the first of a two-phase programme to improve the facility as Delta Air Lines completes the relocation of international flights from T3.
The first phase also included the creation of a centralized security checkpoint, improved baggage handling and reclaim systems and new Customs and Border Protection facilities. Better services for Delta passengers and frequent flyers, including priority check-in counters and a big Delta Sky Club lounge.
NOTE: See The Moodie Report e-Zine out tomorrow for more details on developments at New York JFK T4 – including an interview with DFS Group North America Managing Director Polly Nelson.
*NOTE: The Moodie Report works closely with Travel Markets Insider. To subscribe to this excellent specialist publication about travel retail in the Americas please e-mail Lois Pasternak at editor@travelmarketsinsider.net.
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Improved passenger services for Delta passengers are an important part of the redevelopment |
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