"An airport like a shopping mall is goal for Cleveland Hopkins"

Monday, May 14, 2007

An airport like a shopping mall is goal for Cleveland Hopkins
The Associated Press


CLEVELAND - A more enticing and profitable shopping and eating experience is
possible at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, as evidenced at some
other big airports, a city official says.

This week, the city expects to invite bids on a 10-year contract to manage
the retail operations at Hopkins and to develop new ones.

Ricky Smith, airport director in Cleveland, said the city will search for a
management company interested in running the airport's space like a shopping
mall.

One place which has Cleveland's attention is Pittsburgh International
Airport's Airmall, which has had a strong sales-per-passenger performance at
its 100 stores and restaurants.

"What we need here is an enhancement in our customer service," Smith said.

Cleveland now appears to be ending its long relationship with Bethesda,
Md.-based HMSHost, which has been in charge of nearly all of the 47
restaurants, gift shops and stores at Hopkins.

Smith, who took the reins at Hopkins in June, brings recent experience as an
official at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. In 2004, that
airport ended its relationship with HMSHost and signed a contract with BAA
USA, the company that manages the Airmall in Pittsburgh.

BAA USA boasts that sales per passenger at the Airmall are up more than $4
to about $13.

Cleveland's sales per passenger were about $5.50 last year, when 11.3
million passengers passed through and had access to HMSHost-managed retail
there.

HMSHost spokeswoman Sheila McGee on Monday had no immediate comment on the
Cleveland plans. The company specializes in shopping and dining business at
travel venues, including more than 100 airports. This year it is upgrading
retail offerings in Ohio at Port Columbus International Airport.

Ben Rababy, who owns two independent food stands at Hopkins, said he hopes
the change in management will create more opportunities. But he said some
retailers are concerned that rents will be too high.

In Pittsburgh, Natalie Holden, 46, found trendy sandals at Nine West, an
upscale women's shoe store at the terminal's Airmall. During regular
business trips to Pittsburgh, she also frequents the mall's other stores.

"I do a lot of shopping here because I don't have a lot of time to shop at
home," Holden said. "It's convenient."

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: http://www.clevelandairport.com

HMSHost: http://www.hmshost.com

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