Savoy

An ownership team comprised of four local Los Angeles companies, plus premier travel retailer Hudson Group – and anchored by the power of Earvin “Magic” Johnson – has been selected by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to refresh the retail concessions program in four terminals of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In addition to Hudson Group, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dufry, AG of Basel, Switzerland, the partners include Magic Johnson Enterprises, Concourse Ventures, The Zaman Group and Soto & Sanchez.

The award includes some 21 news, gift, book and specialty retail stores, totaling 20,716 sq ft of prime selling space in Terminals 4, 5, 7 and 8.

LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey said, “These new retail concessions will add some well-established consumer brands and bring some of LA’s most distinctive businesses to LAX, the City’s front door to millions of people traveling through the airport.”

Speaking for the ownership team, Earvin Johnson noted, “I’ve flown in and out of LAX many times over the years, and like many people, I’ve thought that my home airport’s retail concessions program had a lot of unrealized potential. I am proud that my company now stands on the threshold of unlocking that potential. My partners and I have created a great lineup of retail brands and concepts for LAX. Our plan is a long-term commitment to transform the airport’s current retail concessions and turn LAX into a vibrant, modern retail destination to rival any airport in the world.”

According to Hudson Group President & CEO Joe DiDomizio, “This is a large and important competitive win for our company. We are indebted to our great local partners and our brand partners, and look forward to working with all of them for many years to come in LAX. Likewise, we are grateful to the Mayor, the City Council and the LAWA board and staff for their confidence in our team. It’s all here for LAX: world-class newsstands, bookstores and specialty retail shops. All with universal consumer appeal that showcases the style and spirit of Los Angeles, the Entertainment Capital of the World.”

Newsstand brands included in the proposal are: Hudson News, CNN Newsstand Los Angeles, I Love LA, LA Times Newsstand, People News, Entertainment Weekly News and E! News. Bookstore brands include Hudson Booksellers and Vroman’s, a local LA bookstore. Specialty retail concepts include a bevy of brands with local appeal: Rip Curl, See’s Candies, The Mattel Experience, Kitson, NBC Universal Studios, Bartels’ Harley-Davidson, Hollywood Bling, a trendy fashion boutique called Hollywood Style, and a new sports concept, Magic Johnson Sports. Luxury retail brands include Hugo Boss and Sunglass Hut.