LS Travel Retail North America has been awarded a retail package of two locations as part of a request for proposals for concessions in Terminal B of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

 

The two units, Relay and iStore, cover almost 279sq m (3,000sq ft) and are the first to be operated by LSTR in Houston. They are set to open in early 2013 and should generate about $30m in sales through the term of the five-year contract.

 

Tendered in May as part of the Terminal B Southside Redevelopment Project, the two stores will bring both local and global elements to United Airline’s biggest hub. Terminal B is solely used by United Express, United’s regional and feeder service across the country, plus some services to Canada and Mexico.

 

Relay already has a strong footprint in the US and at IAH, the large unit will offer everything travellers need from convenience and media items, to local gifts and souvenirs. Meanwhile, iStore, claimed by LSTR to be “one of the fastest-growing speciality retailers of digital electronics in North America” carries both hardware and accessories for PC and Mac users ranging from laptops, tablets, media players, cameras, e-readers and headphones.

 

“We look forward to working closely with United and Westfield [the concession programme manager-Ed] in the delivery of a fantastic traveller experience,” says Vadim Motlik, Chief Development Officer for LSTR North America.

 

“LS was most responsive on those specific locations during the Competitive Evaluation Process and delivered what is a very impressive proposal,” says Gerry Cecci, Vice President of Airport Management for Westfield Concessions Management.

 

LSTR runs stores in the Texan airports of Austin Bergstrom and San Antonio International, and will open eight new stores at Dallas Fort Worth in the coming months.

 

In 2011, Houston Bush Intercontinental served 40.2 million passengers making it the 10th busiest airport for total passengers in North America.