Airport Experience® News - Retail Issue 2026

MEET THE MAKERS Through Special Initiatives, Concessionaires Are Showcasing The Artisans Behind Their Products

BY SALLY KRAL

Concessionaires including locally made products in their merchandise mix is nothing new, but more recently some have found additional ways to highlight and promote the local venders they work with. In 2023 Paradies Lagardère created a dedicated local buying team along with a new program called “Meet the Artisans.” “Our Meet the Artisans program gives travelers a chance to discover the people behind the local products they see in our stores. We highlight regional makers through in ‑ store storytelling, seasonal features, tastings and live activations that bring their craft to life,” says

Sarah Kirkpatrick, vice president of merchandising for Paradies Lagardère. The company’s local buying team is the driving force behind the program. “They spend time in the community with our joint venture partners visiting studios, exploring markets and building relationships with small businesses,” Kirkpatrick says. “Having a team fully focused on this work allows us to deepen those relationships and bring even more authentic local stories into the airport.” Paradies Lagardère isn’t the only concessionaire with such a program.

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AX NEWS SEPTEMBER 2026