USA. Leading wellness brand XpresSpa opened its latest airport unit at New York La Guardia International Terminal C on 19 December. The outlet includes a Warren Triconi Hair Salon, where the operator will offer wash, blow dry and styling as well as its range of spa services.
The company said it had enjoyed a record year in sales terms in 2014, as it expanded the number of stores it manages at airports (49 by December). Year-to-date through 30 September, same store sales grew at a rate of +10.7% year-on-year. EBITDA at store level proved “strong” said XpresSpa, excluding pre-opening costs. In some cases lower store margins resulted from the rollout of XpresSpa’s HealthCare Plan to its spa employees, a direct result of the Obama Affordable Care Act.
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The latest unit at New York LaGuardia opened on 19 December, and includes a Warren Triconi Hair Salon, where the operator will offer wash, blow dry and styling, as well as its spa services |
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XpresSpa has signed leases for eight new airport outlets to be built in 2015. They include Atlanta terminals D, E, F; Dallas/Fort Worth Terminal A; New York JFK terminals 4B and 8; Denver Terminal C and Los Angeles T6.
In addition, the company said it was deploying “a softer, more trendy spa design” that is rolling out over the next 12 to 18 months with a consistent upscale look. Two of these new XpresSpa designs have opened; the new unit at LaGuardia plus one at New York JFK Terminal 4A (to be reviewed in a separate piece on that terminal coming soon).
The company added that its branded product strategy is complete, and 18 new SKUs will be launched in stores during Q1 2015. The new retail offering is expected to contribute to higher margins in 2015 and beyond, it said.
New products are being launched under three key categories – Protect, Calm, and Energize – and include massage creams, essential oils, body lotion, face mists and soaps.
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The company’s latest design can be seen at its JFK T4 outlet |
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In a briefing on its performance and the industry outlook, XpresSpa said: “The airport retail concession industry is experiencing a flood of new opportunities in 2015, paving the way for XpresSpa to capitalise on an unprecedented number of RFPs in the coming months (including at Tampa, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, etc.)”
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LAX TBIT is among the recent openings in the fast-growing portfolio |
It added: “As airports continue to renovate, travellers are demanding a higher-end experience – from luxury retail brands to higher end restaurants, to personal indulgent services like XpresSpa.
“As the dominant brand in the airport spa industry with more locations than anyone has ever opened and operated, XpresSpa is in a unique position to capitalise on these circumstances and further strengthen its grasp on the airport spa industry.
“In 2015, the company expects to bid via RFPs or direct negotiation on approximately 35 locations throughout the globe. Of those, XpresSpa already has eight under lease.”
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The company has eight new locations under lease and is bidding on many more |
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