"This new Christmas concept takes what makes holidays regionally unique and presents customers the ability to purchase holiday memories throughout the year," says Joseph DiDomizio, chief operating officer of Hudson Group. The latest opening, "Christmas in New York," has taken residency in JFK's Terminal 4, which is the main shopping center located outside of the security checkpoint, and features iconic gifts unique to the locale. For example, well-known retailers like Christopher Radko, Dept. 56, Kurt S. Adler and Possible Dreams have created collectibles of NYC sidewalks, Radio City Rockettes, lighted structures of Yankee Stadium and the Empire State building, as well as figurines for Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
A section of the Discover New York stores at New York's LaGuardia Airport has also been set aside for these Christmas wares. The JFK location is the only stand-alone concept that Hudson has opened, the other Christmas items are included in existing Discover stores within the terminals in Dallas and Chicago.
"The sales trend for Christmas items all year is continuing to grow," says Michael R. Mullaney, senior vice president of business development for the Hudson Group. "We anticipate sales to be strong for all the locations." For Chicago, geographically unique items include replicas of the Watertower Building and the Art Institute. In Dallas, Santa rides a longhorn bull and the store windows are decorated in garland made of conchas and turquoise. Both of these opened just before the holiday season.
"The public's response has been very positive," Mullaney says. "This retail concept provides a unique merchandise selection that customers have not seen before at an airport."
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.