New York Public Relations: Swarovski, the leading designer and producer of fashion jewelry, is partnering with Areas USA, a leading provider of retail services in the travel hospitality industry, to open a licensed boutique at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport in mid July 2010. The opening is part of Swarovski's plans to develop its licensed boutique model. The 567 square foot space will offer Swarovski's full range of fashion jewelry and watches, as well as home accessories and decor objects.
"The licensed boutique model represents an enormous growth opportunity for the Swarovski retail business," said Kevin Coen, E.V.P. of Swarovski North America Limited's Consumer Goods Business. "Swarovski's existing licensed boutiques have experienced impressive sales per square foot results, which proves they are a successful business model and we have high expectations for our new location at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. We are aggressively pursuing our strategy of opening Swarovski licensed boutiques in highly trafficked airports and casinos around the country. Our goal is to aggressively grow this portion of our business as we continue to align ourselves with great partners like Areas USA."
"Swarovski is the ideal partner for this retail location at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, which is the busiest airport in the world. We wanted a brand that would attract a broad range of airport shoppers and generate a high level of appeal. Swarovski's strong recognition and positioning as an accessible luxury brand fits perfectly with Areas USA's specialty retail concepts and our commitment to providing the very best products and services to our passengers at the Atlanta Airport," said Tim Kinder, Director of Merchandise for Areas USA.
Swarovski currently has eight licensed boutiques in the United States with locations at Foxwoods Resort Casino, John F. Kennedy Airport, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, the Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino, the Venetian Las Vegas Resort Hotel Casino and the Eldorado Hotel Casino among others. Swarovski is targeting high traffic airport, casino, mall and hospitality locations for its licensed boutique expansion. The company's goal is to have between 20 to 25 licensed boutiques opened by the end of
Swarovski has a presence in three other U.S. airports with a licensed boutique in John F. Kennedy Airport and its own boutiques in the Philadelphia Airport and the Pittsburgh Airport. In addition, Swarovski has its own network of more than 230 retail stores throughout the country. Swarovski's global retail operation comprises of more than 1,700 boutiques in 120 countries.
