BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An unmatched combination of more than twenty global luxury brands and regional favorites is coming to the shopping line up at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) with the award of two major retail concession contracts.

HMSHost Corporation, a world leader in travel shopping and dining, in partnership with local Atlanta firms, Shellis Management Services and Trans Air Concessions, today announced the names of high-end retail brands and local Atlanta retail stars that will transform the dwell time experience at ATL. The new stores will be positioned throughout four of ATL’s concourses.

When construction is completed in 2009, this world class airport will be home to leading fashion, beauty and retail entertainment brands, including the first free-standing Bvlgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna and Sean John stores offered in U.S. airports. These international, exclusive brands will create an “avenue of luxury boutiques” and will be joined by consumer favorites Kiehl’s, Swarovski, Lancome Beauty Lounge and LeSportsac, further enhancing the shopping experience for ATL passengers.

“As the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson is a center for international travel, but it is also the ‘local’ airport for residents of Georgia and beyond,” said Ben DeCosta, General Manager of Aviation at ATL. “The City Council selected HMSHost because its retail offerings reflect Atlanta’s dual role as international gateway and hub of Southern culture and fashion.”

“Get ready for an incredible retail experience when you visit the Atlanta airport. The new brand line-up at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will raise the bar for high-end, luxury retail concessions in North American travel venues,” said Joan Ryzner, Senior Vice President, HMSHost Retail.

Ryzner continued, “Travelers are seeking the convergence of great shopping and dining in airports—and, they want to shop global and local brands. Atlanta is leading this trend by giving passengers unprecedented access to both.”

The show begins on Concourse A’s “fashion avenue” with Ermenegildo Zegna, the world leader in men’s fine clothing.

“Long available to European travelers, there is no better place than Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to debut Zegna to U.S. travelers,” said Maximiliano Nicolelli, International Travel Retail Manager, Ermenegildo Zegna.

Music and entertainment mogul Sean Combs will bring his eponymous Sean John clothing and fragrance line to Concourse B.

Another leading fashion brand name from the entertainment world, Jay Z’s Rocawear will land on the T Concourse. Rocawear designs represent a global, borderless lifestyle—and what better setting in which to shop Rocawear than an airport. Also setting up shop on T Concourse, Harley-Davidson brings the opportunity to shop the company’s iconic lifestyle at the airport.

Travelers with a bit of extra time pre-security—either before or after a trip—can step into Blockbuster in the airport’s welcoming Atrium to rent movies and games that can be returned via mail or to any Blockbuster store. Blockbuster’s first foray into the marketplace of travel and tourism is sure to be a hit with a myriad of entertainment selections from which to choose combined with the convenience of flexible options for return.

Speaking of convenience, HMSHost will introduce to ATL travelers, Z Market — a convenience store offering gourmet “to go” food from the city’s own Atlanta Bread Company. Z Market will be found in all four concourses.

Long-standing regional favorite publications, Atlanta Magazine and Southern Living, lend their prestigious names to two HMSHost proprietary retail concepts, Atlanta Magazine’s HOME store and Southern Living News. Developed exclusively for ATL, these recognized names will be a welcome addition to both local and international travelers. Southern Flavors will remind visitors of the area’s distinctive culture and contributions, featuring regionally inspired gourmet treats and cookbooks from well known Southern chefs Paula Deen and Virginia Willis, and products from the Savannah Bee Company and Maggie Lyon Chocolates.

The complete line up of exciting new retail brands at ATL includes:

Pre-Security Atrium
Atlanta Magazine's Home
Blockbuster Video
Shellis News
Simply Books
Starbucks Coffee
Z Market
Concourse A
Brookstone
Bvlgari
Ermenegildo Zegna
CNN News
Salvatore Ferragamo
Simply Books with Café Brioche Dorée
Z Market
Concourse B
Airport Wireless
CNN News
Sean John
LeSportsac
Z Market
Southern Living News
Lancome Beauty Lounge
Kiehl's
Concourse T
Atlanta News and Gifts
Bijoux Terner
Harley-Davidson
Lather
Radio Road
Rocawear
Swarovski
Shellis News
Southern Flavors
TechShowcase
Z Market

About HMSHost

HMSHost is a world leader in creating shopping and dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 100 airports around the globe, including the 20 busiest airports in North America. The Company has annual sales in excess of $2.6 billion and employs more than 33,000 sales associates worldwide. A part of Autogrill S.p.A, HMSHost and the rest of the Autogrill Group are recognized leaders in travel restaurants and retail. With sales exceeding €4.8 billion, Autogrill is present in 42 countries with more than 5,300 points of sale in more than 1,200 locations (including 216 airports and 704 motorways) where 68,000 employees serve over 890 million customers every year. Visit www.HMSHost.com for more information.

HMSHost Corporation
Susan Goyette, 240-694-4403
Susan.Goyette@HMSHost.com
or
Carla DeLuca, 415-281-7165
Carla.DeLuca@hillandknowlton.com