Hudson opening two frictionless stores at LAX, one with Just Walk Out
A leading travel retailer is opening two new high-tech stores at Los Angeles International Airport.
Hudson, a Dufry company, has been awarded two stores at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 3. As part of a 10-year agreement with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), Hudson will open a store in its "Hudson Nonstop" format and a store in its "Evolve by Hudson" format in Delta Air Lines’ concourse, becoming one of the first retailers to operate in Los Angeles World Airport’s (LAWA) new terminal.
The two stores total about 3,100 sq.-ft. of combined space.
Hudson Nonstop store features Amazon frictionless technology
The Hudson Nonstop store, which will include Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” cashierless shopping technology and Amazon One palm-based payment, is expected to open within the next few months.
By inserting a credit card or hovering their palm over the Amazon One device, customers can enter the store, pick up their producs, and then exit, all without stopping to pay. Hudson debuted the Hudson Nonstop format, featuring Just Walk Out shopping, at Dallas Love Field Airport in 2021.
The stores will operate under HG LAX T3 Concessionaires JV, a joint venture between Hudson and its Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Partners Arandia Designs; Concourse Ventures Inc.; MAJ Collection Inc.; Nixon & Associates Inc.; Stewart Manhattan Investments Inc. d/b/a Palazzo Concessions; and Zaman Group Inc.
Evolve by Hudson
Evolve by Hudson is a one-stop shop specifically tailored to the local market. At LAX, customers will find shop-in-shops featuring luggage from Herschel Supply Co. and TUMI; accessories from 47 Brand, Happy Socks, and Sunglass Hut; writing instruments from Caran d’Ache and LAMY; electronics from Apple, Beats, Bose, and Brookstone; and toys from Build-A-Bear Workshop.
In addition, in collaboration with “Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles,” local products from artisans will be featured at the store. Self-checkout and mobile POS are also available for streamlined checkout.
The Evolve by Hudson store at LAX is planned for an early 2023 opening. Hudson is also opening a store featuring the format at Colorado Springs Airport in early 2023.
Currently, Hudson has 44 stores in eight of the 10 terminals at LAX.
“Thank you to LAWA and URW for the opportunity to continue our longstanding partnership and introduce two of our most innovative concepts to the new terminal,” said Brian Quinn, executive VP and deputy CEO of Hudson. “Evolve and Hudson Nonstop combine experiential retailing with frictionless technology, providing travelers with the convenience and speed they are looking for, while allowing us to deliver our iconic ‘traveler’s best friend’ service in all new ways.”
“It is exciting to introduce two of Hudson’s newest concepts and the first of its kind at LAX,” said Mike Salzman, executive VP of airports, URW. “In partnership with LAWA and Delta, our Terminal 3 lineup elevates the guest experience and increases minority and women-owned business participation in the LAX commercial program.”
“Los Angeles is a world-class dining and shopping destination, and we are thrilled that the new Terminal 3 concessions will provide our guests an innovative restaurant and retail experience on par with the offerings of our great city,” said Justin Erbacci, CEO, LAWA. “In partnership with URW and Delta, we have brought together a diverse collection of brands, while creating opportunities for small- and minority-owned businesses to operate at the airport.”
Hudson, a Dufry company, operates more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist locations.