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January 28, 2003
Today, the Port of Seattle Commission awarded a 10-year lease contract to Hudson Group to provide news and gift shops in the airport. The Hudson contract allows the airport retailer to operate 22 news and gift shops in the airport, and begins with the opening of three venues on Concourse A in July 2004.
"After a lengthy and competitive process, we're pleased to announce the selection of Hudson Group," said Patricia Davis, Port of Seattle Commission chair. "Hudson offers exciting new venues for news and gift shops in our airport."
Hudson Group is one of the strongest news and gift shop operators in the country, currently serving more than 20 U.S. airports and operating more than 230 units. They tout more than $225 million in annual sales. Hudson, in conjunction with Fox News, pioneered the interactive newsstand.
"Hudson will bring an innovative news environment to our airport, as well as a strong mix of local venues, which will allow us to share our Northwest products with world travelers," said Port of Seattle CEO M. R. Dinsmore.
"Hudson offered the Port guaranteed revenues of $7.7 million during its first year," said Gina Marie Lindsey, director of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. "At a time when airport and airline revenues are struggling, it is refreshing to see the confidence shown by Hudson representatives, and to know that we can count on positive revenues from gift and news venues."
In addition to providing successful news shops featuring FOX News, Hudson's mix of local venues will include: Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen, Made in Washington, City of Champions (products from local sports teams), and stores called Discover Seattle-Tacoma, which will feature products from local museums, the United Tribes, local artisans, and the Seattle Symphony. National brand stores to join the airport under the lease agreement will include: U.S. Open Golf House, National Geographic, Kid's Corner, and The $10 Boutique.
The lease contract approved today was one contract of a three-pronged approach to vendors. Under this approach, HMSHost, which has been the sole provider of airport shops/restaurants for 34 years, is negotiating an extended contract to manage 30 food and beverage locations in the airport to the year 2005 and Concessions International is negotiating a contract extension to manage nine of their units. In addition, the Commission also approved a contract with Anton Airfood of Seattle, Inc. to place a McCormick & Schmick's restaurant in the airport.
Ten local businesses are being sought to provide products and services to the airport to ensure a Northwest theme at Sea-Tac; these businesses need not be large scale operations, but businesses with local products that can offer solid business plans. A secondary contract for food and beverage will open for proposals in February 2003.
For more information about the Hudson Group, go to http://www.hudsongroupusa.com/home.htm