Avolta-owned Hudson has opened six new speciality and convenience units at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), including the largest speciality Evolve by Hudson store. 

The new shops line-up includes specialty brands, proprietary concepts, and local favourite names. 

Chicago-themed sports merchandise is present alongside local vendors Beelove, Bitoy’s Sweet Treats, Brown Sugar Bakery, and Chicago Mahogany.

A highlight is the largest Evolve by Hudson store in North America. The 4,400 sq ft space is said to elevate strategic brand partnerships while giving travellers “more of what they love”.

Hudson is North America’s largest travel essentials and convenience brand. Products stocked include books, magazines, snacks, beverages, travel essentials, souvenirs, electronics and more. 

The Evolve by Hudson concept is a hybrid of travel convenience and speciality retail. Billed as a one-stop-shop, in addition to Hudson’s core range the new store offers shop-in-shops from Build-A-Bear, Briggs & Riley, Brookstone, Happy Socks, LAMY, Sunglass Hut, and Rituals. Its local players include Fannie May and Vosges Haut-Chocolat. 

Self-checkout and mobile POS are available in-store for a quick customer journey. 

Also new at MDW is Southside News, a locally-inspired travel convenience store with books, souvenirs, travel necessities and electronics. 

A Jo Malone / MAC Cosmetics beauty store brings both brands together, while The Atrium brings together more speciality retail names. Finally, a TUMI store offers business, travel and performance luxury. 

Evolve by Hudson: Part of Avolta Destination 2027 strategy

The new shops, which also include Hudson Nonstop powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out tech, are part of Avolta’s Destination 2027 strategy.

The strategy brings together leading brands, digital technology and innovative in-store experiences. 

“We are excited to celebrate our new openings at Chicago Midway International Airport, including our largest Evolve by Hudson store yet,” said Brian Quinn, Avolta’s North America Head of Retail Operations. 

“Our new stores present a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase the power of our global brand portfolio and how we’re committed to continuously providing the best shopping experiences for our travellers and partners.”

Sammy Patel, Midway Partnership CEO, added: “Hudson and its local, minority partners have been true partners in delivering our ambitious vision to transform the traveller experience at Chicago Midway. 

“Evolve by Hudson is the largest concept nationwide, and a cornerstone of Midway Partnership’s $75 million transformation of the airport’s eating and shopping experience.

“The several new retail offerings by Hudson are part of our restless efforts to maximise local Chicago, minority-owned businesses, and we are doing just that with one of the highest participation levels of minority businesses in the United States. 

”The new stores are operated in partnership with four Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners: Airport Retail Group, LLC; BT II, Inc; Flying Concessions, LLC; and North American Concessions Inc.”

Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee from the Chicago Department of Aviation, which owns and operates both O’Hare and Midway International Airports, commented: “I am proud of Midway’s long track record of investing in diverse local businesses, with one of the highest reported ACDBE participation rates in the nation.

“This ribbon-cutting completes our ambitious Midway Modernization Program and underscores Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ongoing commitment to supporting our diverse team of airport concessionaires at both airports, which represent a key pillar of Chicago’s economy.”

Last month, Hudson won a 15-year concession to redevelop and expand more than 3,300sq ft of commercial space at Fresno Yosemite International Airport.