Hudson in deal to operate new Sunglass Hut travel stores

Hudson is expanding its relationship with Sunglass Hut.

The travel retailer has expanded its partnership with Sunglass Hut to exclusively operate new standalone Sunglass Hut travel retail stores in the U.S. and Canada. Currently, Hudson operates six of Sunglass Hut’s 32 standalone travel retail locations in North America, and more than 50 Sunglass Hut on-the-go corners in North America.

The Hudson-operated stores will carefully be modeled on and reflect the Sunglass Hut retail experience. Each location will boast an extensive selection of styles and designs, including some of Sunglass Hut’s most recognizable and powerful brands, such as Oakley and Ray-Ban.

In addition, mobile POS and other frictionless checkout capabilities will also be available, making it even faster and more convenient for travelers on the go.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Sunglass Hut to offer greater accessibility to this iconic brand in more locations,” said Brian Quinn, executive VP and deputy CEO of Hudson. “Becoming the exclusive third-party licensee for Sunglass Hut travel retail stores reaffirms our commitment to delivering the products and concepts travelers have come to expect and continues to make Hudson’s stores some of the most sought-after shopping destinations in the industry.”

Sunglass Hut operates 184 travel retail locations around the world, including standalone stores, within Hudson stores as Sunglass Hut branded corners, and kiosks worldwide, with an expansion strategy for the future.

“As a global brand with millions of loyal customers, Sunglass Hut aims to have touchpoints in prime retail locations that feel authentic,” said Giorgio Pradi, Sunglass Hut’s senior VP and general manager of North America. “Particularly in North America, where the brand got its start, our strategy is to be wherever our consumers want to find us and to deliver the same luxury experience they have come to love.”

Hudson, a Dufry Company,  operates more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist locations.

Sunglass Hut, which started as a small kiosk in a Miami mall, has grown into the best curated destination for the most sought-after high-quality fashion and performance sunglass brands, with more than 3,000 retail locations. Stores can be found in fashionable shopping districts across the globe, from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to Australia, South Africa, China and Southeast Asia and beyond, providing consumers with a fun, highly engaging shopping experience in-store and online at www.sunglasshut.com.