Store openings by Brooks Brothers and Lacoste at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport may be harbingers of what’s to come. So is BlackBerry’s first-ever airport store, which launched on Hartsfield’s Concourse B this year. Spas and salons continue to proliferate as well, from chains like ExpresSpa to local favorites.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) also hopes to upgrade its image with some posher shops. The Los Angeles Times reports that LAX’s board of airport commissioners rolled out aggressive plans to upgrade the food, beverage and retail offers within its eight terminals. Bids have been requested for 42 sites thus far, with a second round due before the end of 2009.
VITAL STAT: Over 60 percent –The passengers who plan, in advance, to use shops and/or cafés at the airport. Source: Passenger research conducted worldwide by Pragma Consulting, London