Airport Experience® News - Retail Issue 2026

Left, Below: Led by Paradies Lagardère’s local buying team, the “Meet the Artisans” program calls out local products and gives travelers information about the makers. Pictured are the Capital City Marketplace at BOI and Corktown Place at DTW.

(ATL), Lone Chimney Mercantile at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Feliz Modern at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Avolta’s Baker says that in stores where Meet the Maker events have been held, there has been “notable increases in foot traffic and strong conversion, along with meaningful sales lifts for featured products.” “Beyond the numbers, local makers regularly tell us that the increased visibility has helped them grow brand awareness, build customer engagement, and reach audiences they may not otherwise encounter,” Baker adds. “It’s a win ‑ win for travelers and small businesses alike.” Looking ahead, Baker says that Avolta plans to continue expanding Meet the Maker to additional locations and exploring new event formats that spotlight an even broader range of local creators. “As the program grows, we’re also looking at ways it can show up across all lines of our business, so that more of our partners, teams and customers can engage with and celebrate the artisans who help bring our spaces to life,” Baker adds. “Ultimately, our goal is to build a program that not only elevates local talent but also enriches the experience across our entire portfolio.”

Kirkpatrick adds that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the company’s top local platform, including such brands as Iconic Arizona, Vera Vara, Arizona Spice Company and Cookie Brokers. “We’ve expanded these vendors into multiple shops within Sky Harbor based on strong sales performance.” Based on the success of such local programs, Paradies Lagardère has opened new dedicated local concepts this spring, including The Village Retail at Hartsfield– Jackson Atlanta International Airport

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AX NEWS SEPTEMBER 2026